American Hebrew Academy Celebrates the Class of 2010 and Honored Guests
Originally featured in HaGesher, American Hebrew Academy's Monthly Newsletter

As parents, faculty, staff, and guests waited with anticipation for the American Hebrew Academy graduates of 2010 to cross the stage to accept their diplomas, one could sense the excitement and the celebratory spirit that filtered throughout the sanctuary of Temple Emanuel.

The traditional presentations and acknowledgements that preceded the official commencement seemed to elicit a state of wonder and elation among the crowd. The ceremonies began with the presentation of the Distinguished Service Award, given each year to a faculty or staff member who is recognized for their exceptional service to the Academy. This year's recipient, Dr. Tammy Williams, Dean of Academics, brought the entire 350 person crowd to their feet for a standing ovation.

An award was presented to Dr. Scott Culclasure, recognizing him for his six years of service and dedicated leadership as Chairman of the Academy's Va'ad HaKavod (Honor Council). The Va’ad Hakavod's (Honor Council) existence is one that is highly respected and valued by the entire Academy community and comprised of teachers, administrators, and students who serve with honor, integrity and transparency to assure justice, due process and fairness when it comes to matters of student discipline.

The Board of Trustees of the Academy works tirelessly to assure and preserve an institution of the highest academic standards and to provide the resources which the students and employees of the Academy enjoy in the fulfillment of the Academy's mission. Two men, Victor Ackermann and Freddy Robinson have served the Academy dutifully as founding board members. These gentlemen were recognized and honored for their ten years of service and dedication for all they have contributed to help build the Academy.

The American Hebrew Academy Community Service Award was created in recognition of those special people who have become members of the Academy family and who humbly serve the most noble of all positions – they are volunteers who not only support the Academy, but exceed everyone's expectations in doing so. This year's Community Service Award was presented to Linda Shapiro, who is most known at the Academy for her commitment to Israel Education. As a Regional Director of Admissions and now a member of the Board of Trustees of the Alexander Muss High School in Israel she introduces the Academy's sophomore class each year to their own Israel trip orientation with enthusiasm and love.

Three families were presented with honorary degrees for their exceptional contributions to children of the Academy who they accepted into their homes and families. Allan and Liz Winter Cohen, host parents for Elena Mironciuc'09; and Irving and Irene Cohen and Shelly and Frank Weiner, host parents for Eva Moshkovich'10 not only provided their financial support to make the gift of an Academy education available to those students who could not otherwise afford it, but they have adopted these students as if their own children, taking them into their homes, serving as surrogate parents, and providing for everything a student living far from home would need to succeed at the Academy. They have quietly accepted the obligation and responsibility of leading by example and investing in the Academy, in the Jewish people, and changing the lives of Jewish children forever.

The Faculty Mentor of the Year Award was presented to Dr. Jennifer Brown of the Academy's English Department by graduates Hillel Price and Colby Bird, thanking her for being an incredible mentor, trusted advisor and friend. Dr. Brown's dedication and commitment to her students and her passion and love of teaching are just a few of the reasons why she was chosen by the Class of 2010 as their Faculty Mentor of the Year.

An Academy tradition is to extend an invitation to the parent of one of our graduates to address the student body. In breaking with tradition, Stephen Muss, proud grandfather of Hillary Muss'10 and Alexander Muss'11 was given this coveted honor. Stephen Muss is known as much for his business leadership as he is for his philanthropic initiatives. In the 1970's he honored his father by endowing the Alexander Muss High School in Israel, where every Academy student has been immersed in the history, culture and people of Eretz Yisrael.

A tireless spokesman for Jewish education around the world, most recently Stephen was named Chairman of LAPID, The International Coalition for High School Age Programs in Israel, established to raise awareness and the number of teenagers participating in Israel educational experiences. During his poignant remarks to the gathered crowd, Stephen announced that he was pledging a gift of $100,000 to the American Hebrew Academy in honor of Hillary's graduation and the Academy's partnership with the Alexander Muss High School in Israel, once again bringing the audience to their feet. His generous contribution will be used to provide scholarship money to students whose family would not otherwise be able to afford an Academy education.

Rabbis Baruch Zeilicovich, father of Ruth'10 and Daniel'08, Rabbi Stefan Weinberg, father of Danielle'05 and Adina'10 and Rabbi Eli Havivi, father of Nadav'08, Tal'10 and Noa'13 each had the opportunity to address the graduates encouraging them to take all of the valuable lessons learned at the Academy, and continue to work hard on their paths to becoming the next generation of gifted, spirited and committed Jewish leaders.

Leeor Sabbah, Chair of the Board of Trustees and daughter of Academy Founder Chico Sabbah z"l, shared her insight, wisdom, and praise for the Class of 2010 and welcomed several returning Academy alumni, who shared in the festivities of graduation weekend.

But little could have prepared the crowd for Executive Director Glenn Drew's unexpected song and dance. "Come with me and you'll be in a world of pure imagination," taken from the famous movie, Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. Cloaked in a top hat, baton in hand he said the following to the graduates. "As graduates of the Academy, you have done what the vast majority of Jewish youth will not; you've committed yourselves to a Jewish education. Your actions in and of themselves are changing the Jewish world whether you consciously believe it or not. For this reason alone, what you have given to this Academy and the Jewish people is far greater than what you have received as evidenced by the diploma you will soon receive." Audience members reveled in the unexpected surprise, coupled with a bit of nostalgia. Graduates were each presented with a Wonka Chocolate Bar (Kosher, of course) to remember the sweetness of their journey at the Academy. And, inside one of those candy bars was a Golden Ticket, just like in the movie, Sarah Netz, was awarded with a free round trip airfare to Israel upon her graduation from college.

The day culminated with each of our twenty-eight graduates crossing the stage, embracing the teachers and administrators who served as their extended family for three or four years, and signing out, one last time. Mazal Tov to them all...we are expecting extraordinary things from each of you!

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