Yeshiva University High School for Boys, The Marsha Stern Talmudic Academy—MTA, 2024 graduation ceremony, Thursday, June 6, 2024.Every school graduates its oldest grade and then moves into summer mode, to prepare for the coming school year. MTA is no different, but the Class of 2024 really was, and this unique grade left an indelible mark in so many places. Sometimes it is only after the building is empty of students, that the realization hits that this was truly a grade like no other.
This grade did not get off to a smooth start, as they began high school in masks, with regular Covid checks. They were only allowed in the building certain days of the week, with other days on Zoom. The transition to high school is challenging enough, but doing so without the usual programming designed to bond as a grade put this group of talmidim at a distinct disadvantage.
Despite the obvious challenges, by the time this group graduated, there was a closeness that is not commonly seen so widespread throughout a grade. The grade represents those who excelled on the court, in the classroom, in the lab and with robotics, to name a few. With all the varied skills and personalities, each boy was respected for who he was, and what he was able to contribute to the grade. Everyone spoke about it at graduation, because it really set this group apart.
MTA honored some particularly talented individuals at graduation. Valedictorian Noah Segelnick gave an outstanding address at graduation, which exemplified his accomplishments in both limudei kodesh, and secular subjects as well. Eitan Canter, MTA’s salutatorian, impressed the crowd with his breadth and depth of knowledge in all areas. Elie Beer was also given the opportunity to address the crowd at graduation because of his impressive academic achievements. Noah, Eitan and Eli were talmidim in Rabbi Tanchum Cohen’s BMK shiur, which continued learning well after graduation. These talmidim exemplify the Torah values of the MTA Class of 2024.
In addition to excelling in MTA classes, this grade scored a combined GPA of 3.93 in 45 YU courses taken in the spring semester! A GPA like that would be an incredible feat on the college level, and MTA seniors achieved that level of excellence!
The Class of 2024 reached new heights outside the classroom as well. MTA’s well-known publication of Shema Koleinu, which is a collection of divrei Torah written by rebbeim and talmidim at MTA, is one of the ways that the Class of 2024 set themselves apart from many other MTA grades. Around the Yomim Tovim, MTA publishes an expanded version of Shema Koleinu and this year, they became legendary. Eitan Isaacs, the director of marketing and design for the publication, partnered with a professional publisher and gave Shema Koleinu a face-lift that truly elevated it. Hundreds more copies were distributed than ever before!
MTA is always impressive at robotics competitions, but this class in particular was exceptional. With so many strong leaders in the senior grade, they were destined to go far. Led by captain Pinchas Rosenfeld, along with Hillel Katz and Raphi Farber, the Lionotics reached the City championship for the first time in six years, and placed third best school overall amongst all New York City schools!
When October 7 hit, MTA got involved in many chesed initiatives. One of those was “Boots for Israel,” which an MTA parent began and is still spearheading. The yeshiva took a day and packed over a thousand boots to be sent to chayalim in need of proper attire to protect them from the elements. During the MTA chesed mission to Israel that many talmidim participated in, someone in Kfar Aza spoke of a unit in need of boots. Following the mission, Yaakov Feldman began fundraising within his grade. The collection period ended within 24 hours, because 125% of the goal was reached with over $3,700 raised in the senior class alone!
This class will not soon be forgotten. They left a legacy of achievements behind that the Class of 2025 will continue to cultivate as the incoming seniors. MTA looks forward to continuing the successes of the Class of 2024 in the years to come!
