AHA Celebrates Graduation
Originally featured in HaGesher, American Hebrew Academy's Monthly Newsletter

The American Hebrew Academy proudly celebrated its sixth annual graduation on Monday, May 25. You could sense the indescribable pride and joy as parents, faculty, staff, friends, and relatives gathered at Temple Emanuel, restless with excitement in anticipation of the start of the commencement exercises for the Academy's Class of 2009.

The uniqueness of the Academy and its mission has always been reflected in the very meaningful and special honoring of our students who have been blessed with the opportunity to experience first-hand the incredible educational opportunities presented to them at the American Hebrew Academy.

From the moment that the soon-to-be graduates began their processional, followed by the faculty in order of seniority, everyone realized that this was no perfunctory exercise. The audience broke into spontaneous applause for the graduates, and then, all honored the important enterprise and process of education by applauding the faculty. The Jewish imperative to provide the best education possible was acknowledged.

This year's ceremony opened with the Processional, "Al Kol Eleh" -

"For All of These" - with accompaniment by Ms. Nancy Pitkin, followed by the beautiful harmonies of the AHA Cappella Vocal Ensemble, under the direction Mr. Marc Alley, singing "The Star Spangled Banner."

Dr. Gary Grandon, Principal of the Academy, in his role as "Master of Graduation Ceremonies," introduced the many distinguished guests in the audience and then introduced Rabbi Fred Guttman of Temple Emanuel and father to AHA graduate Yoav, Class of 2005, who rendered words of welcome.

Class of 2009 seniors, Barry Feinstein and Gilad Stern, read from Psalms 1:1-3, Barry reading in English and Gilad in Hebrew.

Ms. Leeor Sabbah, Chair of the Board of Trustees and daughter of Academy Founder Chico Sabbah z"l, shared remarks of admiration and praise for the Class of 2009, and delightfully welcomed the more than 50 returning Academy alumni who shared in the festivities of graduation weekend and showed their support for our newest Academy graduates.

Mr. Glenn Drew, the Academy's Executive Director, provided poignant remarks to the graduates, reminding them of the challenges and triumphs that lie ahead, and to look back on their experiences at the Academy as major stepping stones for becoming the next generation of strong and spirited Jewish leaders. He also announced the Community and Distinguished Services awards for this year (see article herein).

An Academy graduation tradition is to offer time for selected parents of graduates to speak. This year's speaker was Scott Shay. Not only is Scott the proud father of graduate Ariel Shay; he is also a member of the Academy's Board of Trustees and a distinguished author.

Graduates Lee Bretan and Emily Kane had the distinct pleasure of presenting this year's Faculty Mentor Award to not one, but two incredible mentors and teachers. This award was shared by Dr. Josh Moss and Mr. Danny Nurafshan.

The Class of 2009's student addresses in English and in Hebrew were delivered by Sam Fraifeld with the help of Andrew Yosim, Marti Goldenberg, Brandon Shulman and Zalima Barazani, each providing the audience with wonderful laughs and heartfelt tears, as they spoke to us about how their experiences as students at the American Hebrew Academy impacted and transformed their lives forever.

The American Hebrew Academy's Poet Laureate, Elena Mironciuc, recited her original and meaningful poem, "Meditations on Properties of Water" (see herein) and the assemblage was treated to a lovely song, "Into the West" by graduates Rebecca Kabatchnick and Allison Jacobs.

Rabbi Howard Cohen, Dean of Jewish Life at the American Hebrew Academy, gave the Invocation, which was followed by the moment everyone was waiting for: the conferring of diplomas. Each graduate was called to the bema by both their English and Hebrew names, greeted by Leeor Sabbah to receive their diploma and invited by Dr. Tammy Williams, Dean of Academics, to sign the coveted Book of Graduates, adding their names to a piece of Academy history.

With a final musical presentation sung by the AHA Cappella and Fine Arts Department Faculty, the audience was treated to a beautiful and moving rendition of the American Hebrew Academy's Alma Mater, written by Academy graduate Ben Jacobs '08 (see herein). The B'rakha and final words were delivered by Rabbi Eli Havivi of Beth David Synagogue and father of Academy alumni Nadav '08, current parent of Tal '10 and incoming freshman, Noa.

As the graduation came to a close with the singing of "Hatikvah", the tassel ceremony, led by Dr. Williams, and the blowing of the Shofar by junior Ben Dynan, the graduates, staff, and faculty recessed from Temple Emanuel, knowing that each of our graduates had left their individual marks and memories on the Academy community and will truly be missed.

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