Yeshiva University High Schools celebrated their thriving school community at the annual dinner on April 6 at Marina del Rey. The theme of the evening, “Stronger Together,” signifies the fortitude that exists in both the Marsha Stern Talmudical Academy/Yeshiva University High School for Boys and the Samuel H. Wang Yeshiva University High School for Girls as they continue to build their capacities as premiere Modern Orthodox yeshiva high schools in the areas of Torah, community and innovation. These values, at the foundation of YUHS, are reflected in the contributions of all the dinner honorees—Rabbi Mark ’85 and Jill Wildes (Guests of Honor, YUHSB), Ms. Megan H.L. Zacks (Faculty Awardee, YUHSB), Rafael and Shifra Yehoshua (Parents of the Year, YUHSG) and Mrs. Abby Lerner (Guest of Honor, YUHSG.)
As noted by Rabbi Mark Wildes, “The evening was just amazing. It was truly an honor to be part of the incredible cast of honorees, all of whom are so dedicated to MSTA and Central’s mission of Torah U’Mada and each of whom really blew us away with their love and loyalty to Yeshiva University.”
Following a lavish buffet dinner, attendees enjoyed a beautiful program highlighting the aforementioned principles of YUHS—Torah, community and innovation.
The video presentation explored the myriad ways YUHS is at the forefront of Torah learning. As said by Rabbi Michael Taubes, Rosh Yeshiva of YUHSB, “A ben Torah is not only somebody who is involved in learning, but also somebody who is involved in living the life of a Torah Jew.” YUHS makes that ideal a reality by fostering Torah learning and spiritual growth through co-curricular programs, high level shiurim and more.
The representation of parents, alumni, students and faculty at the dinner serves as a testament to the vital, growing, committed community of YUHS. A deep sense of school spirit and pride permeated the audience of “Lions for Life,” as the story of what makes YUHS such a special community to be a part of unfolded.
YUHS school leaders and faculty are meeting the rapid changes in technology and 21st-century learning head on, making strides in STEM education, offering courses and clubs focused on architectural and scientific engineering and challenging students to be creative, innovative thinkers.
The final portion of the evening was a beautiful tribute to Mrs. Abby Lerner, the beloved rebbetzin of the Great Neck community and a cherished faculty member at Central, who has dedicated her entire career to inspiring and impacting the young women of YUHSG.
As declared by Mrs. C.B. Neugroschl, Head of School at Central, “Mrs. Lerner teaches klal Yisrael, her subject is klal Yisrael, her passion is klal Yisrael.”
Upon musing over the evening, Mrs. Lerner remarked, “The dinner was an incredible reflection of the warmth and the values that we experience every day at Central. It was a deeply moving moment for me and my family.”
YUHS represents an unwavering commitment to the growth of the future of our school communities and the Jewish community at large. By uniformly imagining, building and nurturing our youth, we will remain “stronger together” in every endeavor.
By Shani Malitzky
