Speaker Series for our Senior Class

This week’s Parsha, Teruma, in many ways is the story of what a community can accomplish when they come together for a shared goal. In our Parsha, specifically, it results in the building of the Mishkan, the portable sanctuary which will travel with the Jewish people during their years in the desert.

In this community building project, it truly becomes one in which ALL the people are involved. ALL have a part to play. ALL have the opportunity to take up the mantle of leadership.

As we look toward this year’s graduation, we think about what leadership roles our soon-to-be graduates will take up in the Jewish community. With the goal of continuing to strengthen their Jewish identities, educate them on a variety of Jewish topics, and share with them the opportunities available and the impact they can make, we have introduced a new program to conclude their Senior year.

Their last 8 weeks of material in Jewish Studies continues to focus on Israel and soon, on Jewish Identity. We have added an additional component to their education by bringing in speakers on a regular basis (about one speaker a week) to discuss with them different topics that we hope will inspire them, inform them and instill in them a desire to be involved in the community in different ways.

In recent weeks, Seniors have met with the following individuals and learned about the following topics:

Rabbi Dov Lipman, former MK  of the Yesh Atid Party, spoke with Seniors about making aliyah, being elected to the knesset in Israel and following one’s dreams.

Mr. Edwin Black, author of IBM and the Holocaust, spoke with students about his book and the role of IBM in designing software and programs which were used by the Nazis in their Final Solution.

Mr. Bryan Drowos and Rabbi Josh Broide, lay leader and professional leader in the Jewish Federation, spoke about what Jewish organizations actually do, why they are involved and how young people can get involved.

Rabbi Marshall Lesack, Principal of Rosenblatt High School, spoke with students about land and security issues in Israel, with a primary focus on the West Bank, and how these issues impact the Israel conversation in Israel, the international arena and on the college campus.

Mr. Jeff Klein and Mr. Harold Jacobsohn, current and former board members of Donna Klein Jewish Academy, with years of service in professional and lay roles in the Jewish community, will speak next week about their lifetime involvement in Jewish causes, its impact on them and others, and their hopes and dreams for our students.

Additionally, in coming weeks, students will meet with and hear from Hillel representatives and students about Jewish life on campus. Other topics and speakers, dependent on schedules and availability, are also being explored.

We are excited about this new approach to the culminating weeks of their high school education and hope that they will be able to internalize the important ideas and messages being presented to them.

Rabbi Lesack