The Fayth Aronson-Berkowitz Chesed Society Fund has been established by her parents, Selma and Bill Aronson, in memory of their beloved daughter Fayth, Faygie Devorah Bas Zev, who succumbed to cancer at the young age of 27.

Fayth, a graduate of Hillel Academy of Pittsburgh, and a beloved Baltimore pre-school teacher, touched the lives of so many with her acts of kindness. A true Baalas Chesed (readily performing acts of kindness), Fayth's example of care and concern for others, her giving neshama (soul), and continuous drive to act on behalf of others, was an inspiration for everyone who knew her. A quiet and humble person, Fayth was a doer, always looking to help someone in need.

The Fayth Aronson-Berkowitz Chesed Society will ensure that every Hillel Academy Girl's High School and Middle School student develops Fayth's appreciation and desire to seek out chesed (acts of kindness) opportunities in their community. At the beginning of each school year, the students will study the different service needs in the community, and work together to create or adopt a Chesed project for the year. Each year on the 6th of Shvat, Fayth's yartzheit (anniversary of her death), Hillel Academy will hold a school-wide Day of Chesed. As part of the Day of Chesed, the students will prepare activities and materials in order to involve the entire school in their project. The Day of Chesed will include a lunch to remember Fayth and educate the community about the current year's Chesed project.

Five-percent of the Fayth Aronson-Berkowitz Chesed Society Fund's income will be used each year to assist with the chesed project's costs. In doing so, the Fund will endow a constant and permanent remembrance of Fayth's dedication to her community, and ensure that each of our graduates become the Fayth's of their community.

Contributions to the Fayth Aronson-Berkowitz Chesed Society can be made payable to the Hillel Academy of Pittsburgh. Hillel Academy has a matching grant for money raised through social media, dollar for dollar, up to $10,000 from the AVI CHAI Foundation. Individual gifts of up to $500, made by April 15, will be matched. Spread the word to your fellow Hillel Academy alumni, their families, and parents, and all of your Facebook and Twitter friends through your page so everyone will give just like you.

   

When did you attend Hillel? 

When I was walking home from school on a particular Friday in November 1963, I heard, much to my dismay, that President John F. Kennedy had been shot. I still remember my shock and initial disbelief.

But some of my favorite memories were of field trips to attend plays, especially various Shakespeare plays at the Pittsburgh Playhouse, as part of my English class.

How has Pittsburgh changed? When I first arrived in Pittsburgh, I asked my mother to ride a couple of street cars with me, as the street car lines were in the process of being phased out. We had numerous working steel mills and noticeable air pollution. The city had more old buildings and cobblestone streets and many fewer bicycles, and certainly, no designated bicycle lanes. We were members of Shaare Torah, where I had my bar mitzvah a few months after we arrived in Pittsburgh.

Where do you see the city going in the next 10 to 20 years? I believe that we will have a still better and more livable city than today.

Who was your favorite teacher? For the religious subjects, Rabbi Benjamin Nadoff, z'l, (Chumash). For the secular subjects, Mrs. Elizabeth Stern (English).

You are a proctor for SATs; Any tips for our students who are planning on taking the test soon? Do study the format and content of SATs. Improve skills in English, Social Studies, and Math. When it's your time to take the test, get plenty of sleep the night before, don't worry too much, and do plan to take the test a second time.  

What about some general advice for all of our students? Remember that we are all responsible for each other and treat others the way that you wish to be treated.

Share some life lessons you took away form your years here. Pay attention in class, get rest at night, and don't procrastinate on assignments. You will never be the same age again, so do your best every day.