The strong, positive and admiring feelings that the Rabbi Pesach Raymon Yeshiva (RPRY) in Edison inspires—among its faculty, administrators, lay leaders, parents, students, and even prospective families—was readily evident at the school’s Open House on Sunday morning, November 19.

Twenty-five families had signed up to attend the event, which offered a sampling of the many strengths of the school. Guests heard welcomes from Head of School Rabbi Michael Ribalt, Board President Jordan Kaplan, and parent Marninah Hersh. Then attendees hustled off to sit in sample classes led by Judy Schwarzberg (pre-K), Nitza Adler (upper elementary limudei kodesh), Emily Menashe (middle school social studies) and Rabbi Moshe Chait (middle school Gemara). The program concluded with a panel of three current students who demonstrated their science projects and took questions from parents.

Speaking with The Jewish Link, Keren and Efraim Shamalov of Elizabeth said that they had already enrolled three of their children, who started in September—a daughter in kindergarten, a son in third grade, and another son in sixth grade—yet they came to the open house to learn more about the school. “Academically, we felt that RPRY is a great match for our children,” said Keren. “Our children are thriving here,” added Efraim. “They’re very happy, making friends and doing well in their classes.”

What gives RPRY such a strong appeal? Rabbi Ribalt offered five distinctive qualities of the school in his presentation. Hersh related that when she attended an open house as a parent, she walked away “certain” that her children would thrive there because of two factors—“the warmth here is palpable,” authentic and genuine, and “the individualized approach to build on each child’s strengths” is sincere and systematic.

For more information on RPRY, please visit their website: www.rpry.org

Harry Glazer is the Middlesex community editor for The Jewish Link. He can be reached at [email protected]