Alumni Spotlight
Each week, The Silver Summary will feature one alumnus from our rich alumni network.
Rena Staub
Brooklyn, NY
What years did you attend The Silver Academy?
I was a proud student of the Yeshiva Academy from 1990 to 1995
Where did you grow up in Harrisburg?
Green Street. Uptown represent!
Where did you go to school after The Silver Academy?
The Harrisburg Academy, Susquehanna Township High School
Where do you live now?
I happily reside in Park Slope, a lovely neighborhood in Brooklyn, NY.
What do you do?
I'm a social worker in the Emergency Department at Elmhurst Hospital in Queens, NY.
What was your favorite class at The Silver Academy?
Without a doubt, my favorite class was Mrs. Susan Feinberg's (now Brodkin) 3rd Grade! She was a warm, compassionate, fun, and engaging teacher-- I'll never forget her or those super cool pencils she gave out!
Who was your best friend at The Silver Academy?
Shout out to Rebecca Henshell Schuchart, my best friend of elementary school years! We even had matching best friend necklaces.
What was your favorite school lunch?
I have fond memories of the Yeshiva Academy's special sloppy joes.
How many times were you sent to the principal's office?
I was such a goody two-shoes in those days-- I was actually never sent to the principal's office! But I may have annoyed Rabbi Stein a few too many times by talking too much in class...
What was your favorite memory and/or do you have any funny stories about The Silver Academy?
Favorite memory? Filming our riveting drama "The Case of the Missing Teachers" in Kindergarten. Julia Frankston-Morris has a recording!
What was your favorite thing to do at the JCC?
I was a HUGE fan of JCC Day Camp-- first as a camper for many years, and then as a CIT, Junior Counselor, and finally Senior Counselor. To this day, I believe that my experience at this wonderful, community-oriented camp introduced me to the values of mentoring, positive peer influence, and informal education-- all of which have stayed with me and influenced my desire to become a professional social worker.
Who was your role model in Harrisburg?
Oh, it's so hard to pick just one Harrisburg role model-- there are so many! My list includes Andrea Weikert and Terry Fisher, who direct the JCC Day Camp at Green Hills so skillfully, Rabbi Ron Muroff, for his loving kindness and continued spiritual guidance, and of course, Cantor Paula Victor (z'l'), whose angelic voice I will always remember, and to whom I am forever indebted for teaching me how to lead services and read Torah.
