Zack Pollack was the featured speaker at RKYHS. Challenged by cerebral palsy since birth, Zack is a quadriplegic, confined to a wheelchair. He has lost most of the function in his arms and legs. Zack is a bright, personable, optimistic and friendly person who graduated from Emerson High School in Emerson, New Jersey. He is currently a seminary student at the Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary (Yeshiva University) in New York City, He is dedicated to inspiring people—particularly young people—and motivating them to be better human beings. As an observant Jew, he has a deep faith in God, as well as faith in the goodness and potential of people of all backgrounds, races and religions. He believes in the power of love and the importance of helping one another. Together, as friends, we can help make this world a better place for everyone.

The students at RKYHS came away from his talk recognizing that there will inevitably be challenges in life but with hard work and determination, they too can overcome their obstacles. The key is to remain positive and not let life’s difficulties bring you down and keep you down. Challenges must be viewed simply as obstacles to be overcome and through which you can learn and grow stronger.