Filling a Niche

I firmly believe that The MHA/FYOS fills a special niche in the day school world.  We are an Orthodox school that is committed to both a superb Torah and General studies education.  We are also committed to the state of Israel and to teaching about Israel and Israel advocacy.  We participate in the Torah Metzion  and Bat Ami programs, and each year bring young men and women to Memphis to oversee Israeli programming in addition to enhancement and enrichment of our Torah studies program.  This year we welcome  Zeev Leib, Hagai Gross, Ran Albaz, Moriya Ben Chemo,  and Noemi Tenenbawm.

 We also take advantage of members of our local Memphis community who have expertise in the area of Israel affairs.  Last Friday the junior high had the privilege of hearing from Adam Groveman, who attended our school in the past, and this morning from Rebbetzin Bluma Zuckerbrot-Finkelstein, a much admired and respected teacher in the GMSG.  Adam talked about the history of Israel’s relationship with Hamas and Gaza and referred to a recent trip that he took to Israel and the effect that the thousands of rockets have had on the lives of Israelis.  Bluma provided an excellent follow-up with a more political discussion and an explanation of the difference in the tactics used by Israel and Hamas and how these tactics play themselves out on the battle field and in the media.  Bluma also offered the students options for helping the Israeli cause.  These ranged from setting the record straight when you confront friends or acquaintances who do not have all of the most up-to -date, accurate information, to accepting upon yourself an extra mitzvah, or davening for the recovery of a particular wounded soldier , or just doing some extra learning.  She also informed the students about the Bnei Mitzvah program that the Federation has set up.  For every dollar that a Bar or Bat Mitzvah deposits into their account at the Federation, there is a matching donation made, and the child can decide where to earmark his or her charitable donation.  This is a wonderful program, in which we hope to get wide participation.