Back-to-school means just that, back to their school for Eliza Lavi Hochman and Yael Zbolon, two of Yavneh's newest faculty members, and both graduates of Yavneh's Class of 2005.

 Eliza, who began as an Assistant Lady's Bulldog Volleyball  

and Basketball Coach last year, and now adds Girl's P.E.,  

Health, and General Studies' substitute teaching to her duties.   

A graduate of St. Edwards University, she earned a BA in Education.

For Yael, who graduated from Brandeis University and  most recently St. Mary's Law School, teaching  

AP Government brings her back into the classroom, to  

teach that which she has studied with full heart.  

"To have alumni on our staff is very exciting, and these two young women will be great role models for our students," said Dr. David Portnoy, Yavneh's Head of School. "It really is a testament to the culture of our school that they, who grew up here, and who were encouraged by our faculty, many of whom remain, would chose to return as leaders. For a Head of School, this is a dream."   

Yavneh's Judaic Faculty is enhanced this year with the additions of Rabbi Mike Friedman and Rabbi Sandor Shulkes.  Rabbi Friedman is the husband of Judaic Studies and Math teacher, Nikki Friedman, will be teaching Oral Law, Sophomore JTL and he will lead our new Meditation & Prayer tefillah. Rabbi Shulkes, who recently moved to Dallas with his wife Rachel, and one year old daughter, will be teaching our Freshman JTL class.

With our alumni, new Judaic Studies teachers, and our new Athletic Director, Coach David Zimmerman in the fold as Yavneh begins its nineteenth academic year, with 118 students enrolled, including its largest ever freshman class of 32, the school is certain to continue to be a strong, and meaningful, place of learning.

Yavneh also welcomes new students:

Class of 2014

Jacob Feist & Jonah Taurog

Class of 2015

Ari Geller, Daniel Snow, & Sydney Sternfeld

Class of 2016

Amitai Abouzaglo, Reut Banai, Avi Baynash, Danielle Berman, Hayden Berman,  

Gabe Boker, Ronit Dickter, Max Feist, Ethan Fisher, Denise Folz, Joey Goldman,  

Raquel Henkin, Elliott Jacobsen, Jacob Lampert, Steve Levine, Mitchell Levinson,

Aizik McFarland, Risa Mond, Jonathan Ochstein, Elimelekh Perl, Adina Romaner,  

Mira Roosth, Miranda Rudomin, Tammy Schisler, Gaby Schultz, Carolyn Smith,  

Benji Snow, David Steinbrecher, Lidor Suissa, Daniel Toobian, Samuel Weyser,

Leetal Winick, and Benji Zoller.      

Freshman Fun Night 

Yavneh's entering Class of 2016 connected with each other, as they gathered for a pizza dinner, games, and introductions, at the home of David Steinbrecher '16, followed by n ice-breaker scavenger hunt through Northpark Mall.   

Photo by Janyce Steinbrecher

Congratulations to the 1st place team, Avi Baynash, Ethan Fisher, Raquel Henkin, Gaby Schultz, Danielle Berman, and to the rest of the freshman class!   

"The scavenger hunt encouraged our students had to be think, be silly, work together, and regardless if they knew each other for many years, or had just met, they were all on the same page,"  

said Karen Hazen-Cohen, Yavneh's Director of Admissions, who credits our hosts and chaperones, parents  Ann Ochstein, Melanie Rudomin and Janyce Steinbrecher, with ensuring a great time for all!   

"We reminded the students' that just like the scavenger hunt,  

high school is a new experience - but they are not alone.  Students should  

use their classmates, teachers, and administrators for help whenever they need it."  

 MAZAL TOV TO ~~ 

Photo by Melanie Rudomin

Bulldog Athletic Director/Maccabi Bball Coach

  David Zimmerman  

  Itai Guttman '14   Sam Kleinman '14,  

  David Rudomin '14  Adam Steinbrecher '14     

  David Steinbrecher '16 

  14U Basketball ~  Steve Levine '16

 Table Tennis ~ Jonathan Ochstein '16 

~ Benjamin Epstein '05 who was offered a pre-doctoral fellowship supported by The Berkeley Stem Cell Center's Stem Cell Engineering training program, and funded by the National Institute of Health. The training program includes courses in Stem Cells and Directed Organogenesis, Advanced Topics in Stem Cell Engineering, Current Ethical, Legal and Social Aspects of Stem Cell Research, Responsible Conduct of Research, and one elective. As a fellow, Benjamin will also complete an internship in a biotechnology or pharmaceutical company.