Rachel Goodman shot and we scored when this graduating senior transferred to Yavneh, from the Greenhill School, after Freshman year. That she transferred to Yavneh because she wanted to return to the sense of Jewish community that she'd experienced in her earlier education years, adds points to the scoreboard.

"Yavneh isn't a school with student peers, it's a school where you go to classes with your best friends," said Rachel. "These are people I consider as close to me as family and that connection just isn't possible in other schools."

A graduate of the Levine Academy, and member of Congregation Anshai Torah, Jewish community has long served as the basis for Rachel and her family including parents Barbara and Herb and her siblings Shaina and Jacob.

"If we were to post a picture of the model Yavneh student, it would be a picture of Rachel Goodman," said Associate Principal/Judaic Curriculum, Rabbi Meir Tannenbaum. "Rachel exemplifies the leadership that we seek in our students;  she leads in both the basketball court and in the classroom."

"Rachel is a pillar of kindness," said Rabbi Tannenbaum. "She spends many hours dedicated to various charity organizations that she is affiliated with, and always noted as so extremely kind and respectful to both her fellow students and her teachers." 

"I believe that the Judaic Studies classes are just as important as the General Studies," said Rachel. "What we learn in those classes provides us with extremely beneficial skills that I know we'll use later in the secular world."

Rachel, who played basketball for the JCC Junior League and the Dallas Maccabi Team returns for her third year as a Lady Bulldog - the season opener on November 8. A strong athlete who longs never to be far from a basketball, as the Senior Bulldog Captain, Rachel looks forward to a repeat of her Junior season. "We are a team and we played like one last year," she said. "We really came together and made it happen and I'm ready for us to do it again!"

When not on the basketball court or in the classroom, Rachel is often coordinating a program, event, or helping others.

A longtime camper at Camp Sabra, Rachel will return there next summer as a camp counselor. "Jewish summer camp gives another network for Jewish community, in new surroundings, with no stress, and lots of new people," she said.

In 2011 Rachel participated on a West Coast Connections service tour to Costa Rica and this last summer, as a JFS Gerald Klein Intern, she worked at Bea's Kids, directing the programs summer camp. Planning activities, including arts & crafts, cooking, and sports, for close to 80 campers between the ages of 5 and 11, kept her busy.

A member of BBYO's Kravitz BBG chapter, on-campus, Rachel is the Opinions Editor for The Bulldog Print, co-Founder and Advisor for Helping Hands for the Homeless, co-President of Students Against Terrorism and the 2013 Points4Peace Basketball Tournament and she was a member of Uniting Students of Dallas.

 "The best part about Yavneh is how involved you can get in so many things," she said. "The toughest part is managing everything and making sure you have enough time to do all your school work and be involved. Our administration and faculty make sure we understand and learn how to manage our time which allows us to be so involved."

 "Rachel is so poised and self-assured that she puts everyone at ease with her presence. With a formidable intelligence and a pretty wicked sense of humor, she is a delight to teach and always provides something provocative to talk about," said Sandy Hall-Chiles, advisor to The Bulldog Print. "Her viewpoints, whether on physics or philanthropy, are always so informed and her questions about issues so spot on."

Looking forward to a future as a print sports journalist, Rachel wants to focus on human interest and feature stories that express how sports affect the human condition. Already accepted to Indiana University, Rachel is also applying to New York University and the University of Texas.

We are certain Rachel that while there will be meaningful stories written by Rachel Goodman, chances are you too will make headlines!