Shavuot is a time to reflect on all of our blessings and our greatest gift, Matan Torah. While we as alumni have been fortunate to receive a Yeshivah of Flatbush education, many in the Jewish community have not been privileged with the same opportunity to learn and engage in Torah study. In this issue, we meet three alumni who each play an invaluable role in their communities by actively  engaging with others to learn and grow as Jews and in the ways of Hashem. 

We hope you enjoy this issue. Chag Shavout Sameach!

Enid Fishman Wurtman (ES ‘56, HS ‘60) has dedicated her life to the integration of Soviet Jewry into Israeli society. Her activism began after a life altering trip to the Soviet Union in 1973 and grew from there. “I consider it a privilege to be an activist on behalf of Soviet Jewry. The values we learned at Yeshivah of Flatbush about our responsibility towards one another informed my work.” In 1977, Enid and her husband Stuart z”l, became founders, active members, and chairpersons of the Philadelphia Soviet Jewry Council. 

In 1977, Enid and her husband, Stuart, z”l, made aliyah and Enid continued to stay active in the movement to free Soviet Jewry. She focused her attention on helping to absorb former refuseniks and their families to adapt to new lives in Israel following a long and arduous struggle to fulfill their dreams of aliyah In later years, she worked for the Director of the Jerusalem Soviet Jewry Office. The office was charged with assisting new immigrants with educational opportunities, job placement, providing emergency services, healthcare, and counseling as they adjusted to living in Israel. Additionally, the office organized Hebrew classes for small groups with professional volunteer teachers. 

Enid has also contributed to the research and editing of multiple books in this area, including Sharansky: Hero of Our Time; Jerusalem in the 20th Century; Israel, A History. Enid continues her work advocating for and helping Soviet Jewry to this day. She currently lives in Jerusalem with her children and grandchildren. 

Rabbi Sion Setton (ES ‘00, HS ‘04) is a rabbi, educator and connector. He currently serves as Principal of Yeshivah Prep High School, which provides students with learning differences the opportunity to attend a dual curriculum high school close to home. Before his tenure at Yeshivah Prep, Rabbi Setton served as a teacher and director of technological education at Barkai Yeshivah. He also spent over 10 years in different spiritual and educational roles working on behalf of the Sephardic community in Manhattan to connect individuals of diverse backgrounds and levels of observance to their roots. He has worked with young professionals downtown, served as a pulpit Rabbi at Congregation Magen David of Manhattan, Youth Director at Edmond J. Safra Synagogue and as a chaplain at New York University. “"I have helped families make their homes kosher, partnered with community leaders to establish a Mikveh and Kosher Restaurants, engaged in a multi-year endeavor to enhance the Eruv, and consistently supported individuals and the community in discovering their path towards a more meaningful future. Each step taken is guided by our shared values, with the Torah serving as our invaluable blueprint.”

When we asked about his time at Flatbush he pointed to the relationships he built with teachers who continue to be mentors and impact his work today. “Those relationships were transformative and helped form me on this journey as an educator. The experiences, social and spiritual, are what I try to replicate for my students and in other communities.” Two rabbis in particular who made an impact are Rabbi Ben-Hamu who continues to check in with him in his work as educator and Rabbi Joseph Beyda, JBHS Head of School. “While in JBHS, I used to wake up for Rabbi Beyda’s 5:30am mishnayot class at Congregation B’nai Yitzhak. During this time I had the good fortune to learn from him and see his values and ethics in action.” 

 

In 2015, Rabbi Setton was named to the New York Jewish Week “36 Under 36”. Rabbi Setton is currently pursuing his doctorate in Education at Yeshiva University.

Mike Frank (HS ‘56) is a long time member and co-chair of the Education Committee of the Harvard Hillel Orthodox Minyan. The minyan serves a diverse group of staff, students, and community members in Cambridge, Massachusetts. It is a home away from home for many. During the school year, they average 100 attendees on Shabbat mornings. The education committee is responsible for the weekly parasha newsletter and for scheduling and delivering divrei Torah at different times throughout the year. They strive for a diversity of topics to keep the congregation interested and informed. 

When asked about his time at Flatbush, Mike reflected on the very different atmosphere between Flatbush high school and his elementary school. “Previously I had attended a Yeshivah Ktana school, all boys, very European in style. Flatbush was a totally different approach, it was a much more modern atmosphere. Flatbush gave me the skills to learn in a rigorous setting. Something I did not come to appreciate until later on. First at YU and then again in the early days of my teaching career as a new professor at University of Chicago.” He spoke fondly of a teacher who connected with some students who did not have an easy time in school. “Rabbi Meir Hershkovitz was very sensitive to those who struggled and it made an impression on me.”