June… 12th Grade Graduation is tonight and summer is around the corner. For our final newsletter of the 2020-21 academic year we wanted to take this opportunity to introduce you to a few of the newest members of our alumni family. This year’s senior class is 151 members strong and proud, and we are excited to welcome them.

Mazel Tov and Mabrook to the students and their families. Welcome to your next chapter, Class of 2021!

Meet our 2021 yearbook editors, Jennifer Salzman and Michael Oved. Jennifer is also one of our co-valedictorians and Michael is the 2021 recipient of the Rabbi Dr. David Eliach Distinguished School Service Award winner. When we asked them how they felt about graduation and moving on they shared these thoughts. “I am sad, but excited, and looking forward to making new friends and keeping in touch with old friends”, said Michael. For Jennifer, she is reflective, “I appreciate how much each of us has changed and grown since freshman year. My religious growth and connections to our Rabbis is something I take with me.” 

This was a difficult year to be a senior, but they were both thankful. Jennifer said, “I never thought I would appreciate simply being in the school building. Seeing people in person when possible.” 

Then they talked about working together as yearbook co-editors. For Jen and Michael this is not the first time they have worked together on a yearbook, they also were a part of the team that put together their eighth grade yearbook in 2017. “It was a lot of hard work and responsibility but we were able to build something beautiful thanks to the yearbook committee and Ms. Lamm, our faculty advisor.” 

Jen will be attending the combined Bachelors/MD program through MaCaulay Honors at Brooklyn College. Michael will be attending Harvard University this fall with plans to study finance and business. 

David Cattan and Barbara Salama are our Falcons of the year. Each achieving high marks in their academics and playing multiple varsity sports. David was a five sport athlete, basketball, football, ice hockey, softball and tennis. Barbara was a four year member of the soccer team and captain of the dance team in her Junior and Senior years. 

We asked for their thoughts on their time at YOF, what it was like to be a senior this year and what they are thinking as they look forward. For David, coming from another school, Flatbush was a big change, but he found his feet, “now four years went by so fast, I made new friends. I feel so connected to the rabbis and my teachers. Four years for the rest of your life is an accurate sentence. I am so glad to be a part of the Flatbush alumni family.” Barbara echoed some of David’s thoughts, “it has been an incredible four years. I can’t believe we are here already. Flatbush has shaped who I am and continues to guide me to the person I want to be.” 

David is taking a gap year and going to Israel, where he will be studying at Yeshivat Moreshet Yerushalayim. He has already been accepted to Yeshiva University and hopes to continue combining his love of sports and Torah in his collegiate studies. Barbara will be attending Binghamton University with plans to major in biology and go on to medical school. 

Teddy Hara is co-valedictorian and student government President. He spoke with so much love for his grade. Particularly the senior boys learning group he helped to start. “For so many people senior year is a formality, but our grade wanted to continue to engage in Torah learning on our own time. I am hoping even after graduation I can continue learning with some of my teachers from Flatbush”. 

Teddy is someone always looking for the next challenge and in a year like this one, there were no shortage of challenges. Although some programs could not be undertaken safely, as SGO president he worked hard to make sure student voices were heard by the administration. When asked if there were things he hoped the administration would keep, he mentioned the longer lunches, shorter class periods and breakfast bins in each room, so students always have access to water and snacks without having to leave class. 

Teddy will continue to challenge himself this fall at Brown University where he plans to study business and economics. 

Kaden Harari came to YOF for high school from another school, but has since become a Flatbush cheerleader. She was recognized this year with the Ahavat Yisrael Award in honor of Rabbi Amnon A”H and Mrs. Dinah Haramati. When we asked her what the award meant to her, she talked about her time at YOF. “At Flatbush I was provided the means to flourish and thrive, reconcile my ideas with my actions and become an even prouder Jew.” She went on to say, “I feel incredible hakarat hatov for our Flatbush family, the teachers, my fellow students, the school really gave me the tools to build my identity.” 

Kaden has big plans for her future, she is taking a gap year and will be attending Midreshet Lindenbaum seminary followed by a return home to attend Brooklyn College. She wants to give back and return to Flatbush as a teacher or maybe achieve the ultimate dream and make aliyah.