Community celebrates teen accomplishments

Rabbi Joshua Elkin

It was a night of celebration and recognition for Rhode Island Jewish teens. On May 3, the graduates of the Harry Elkin Midrasha Community High School and programs, along with other teens, were recognized for participating in Jewish learning programs, community service and other high school activities. The approximately 75 teens, family, friends and teachers were treated to the sounds of HaZamir, the local chapter of the international Jewish high school teen choir, along with speeches, awards and refreshments during the evening program in the Meeting House at Temple Emanu-El.

Graduates of Midrasha this year are Mimi Heath, Nili Levine, Josh Levanos, David Mayer, Rachel Nassau, Noah Prizant, Eve Stein and Rachel Wasser. They were greeted by Jeffrey Savit, president and CEO of the Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island and Jana Brenman, director of Teen Engagement. Rabbi Elan Babchuck of Temple Emanu-El congratulated the teens for getting up on Sunday mornings and making a commitment to study Torah. Rabbi Wayne Franklin of Temple Emanu-El offered a D’var Torah. Rachel Wasser gave the Resnik Scholar Address.

Rabbi Joshua Elkin, son of Harry and Esther Elkin, addressed the crowd, speaking fondly of the collection of Hebrew books in his house as he was growing up. He concluded by reminding graduates that “Hebrew is there – a living language.” He and Brenman then presented the graduates with their certificates and with a variety of awards.

The Nathan Resnick Memorial Award went to Rachel Wasser from the Harry Elkin Midrasha, Rachel Turner from Temple Beth-El, Rachel Sheinberg from Temple Habonim, Rochel Golden, Rochel Lapin and Chaya Faiga Taitelbaum from New England Academy of Torah. The Resnick Award honors graduating seniors for superior academic accomplishments and for school, synagogue and community involvement.

The Eliezer Ben Yehuda Award, honoring excellence in the study of Hebrew language, went to David Mayer as did the Harry and Esther Elkin Memorial Award, presented annually to a graduate who shares Harry and Esther’s love for and commitment to the State of Israel. It is a tribute to the legacy of the Elkins – Harry was the former director of the Bureau of Jewish Education and Esther was a master Hebrew educator.

The Rabbi and Mrs. Israel S. Rubenstein Memorial Award for excellence in Contemporary Jewish Studies went to Noah Prizant.

Also honored during the evening were participants in the March of the Living, the Maccabi Games and HaZamir Providence; Israel travel grants were announced as well.

In several emotional moments during the evening, Miriam Esther Weiner, principal of Providence Hebrew Day School paid tribute to the memory of Rebbetzin Tichyeh Schochet by sharing thoughts of some of her students.

And Cantor Brian Mayer, who directs HaZamir Providence, offered a surprise tribute to his son David who has served as choir manager for two years. “He gets the job done without drama, fanfare and moodiness,” he said.

The evening concluded with words offered by Franklin who congratulated the students for their community service and showing their love for neighbors and told the students to cherish their love of Jewish self.

FRAN OSTENDORF is editor of The Jewish Voice.