Clara transferred to Yavneh after her Freshman year at J.J. Pearce High School - the younger sister of Yavneh Alumni Daniel '10 and Zac '08.   "During my Freshman year, I felt that something was missing from my high school experience.  After spending so many years at Solomon Schechter (now the Ann & Nate Levine Academy), I realized I wanted the Judaic classes and close community that Yavneh has. 

"Coming back to Jewish day school was amazing because I got to rekindle those relationships that were hard to maintain in public school while also becoming very close with the students who had come from Akiba and other schools.  The Jewish education we share is a unique character at Yavneh and it's truly what I wanted in a high school."

"I've enjoyed that the subjects and the themes of our Judaic classes are universal and I think that, by the afternoon, our brains are geared up to then absorb the secular subjects," said Clara. "Yavneh has taught me how to manage my time, how to appropriately communicate with authority figures, and how to always remember my roots."

Accepted to the University of Maryland (College Park Scholars), the University of Miami, the University of Michigan, Northeastern University, and Tulane University, it's the blue and gold of Michigan that Clara will cheer for! First though, before pursuing a career in medicine or psychology, Clara plans to spend next year, a participant of the Young Judaea YearCourse program. A "lifer" of Camp Young Judaea, Tel Yehuda, and Machon Leadership (in Israel) summer programs, Clara says "I've been involved in Young Judaea's Zionist youth movement since the third grade and want to deepen my involvement in Israel."

"Clara is just a gem! She is very bright at mathematics, is hard-working and has a smile that just fills the room with joy," said Math teacher, Nikki Friedman. "Not only is Clara talented in math, but I have watched her help other students overcome their math challenges as well. She is enthusiastic about learning and very motivated to succeed." 

A Dallas native, Clara is the daughter of Cindy and Mitch. An involved member of Congregation Anshai Torah, Clara has also been very involved in the B'nai Brith Youth Organization - both for her Jennie Zesmer BBG #300 chapter, and as NTO Regional Sh'lica, in charge of Judaic programming, community service, and social action.   She's led services at Town Village North Dallas where she said "I developed some very special relationships. It doesn't take long to make people smile!" 

"Clara is one of the most dedicated students I have ever taught," said Rabbi Meir Tannenbaum, Associate Principal/Judaic Curriculum. "Clara comes to class very day ready and willing to learn. She always displays a genuine and authentic interest in not simply achieving good grades but in learning new material and integrating her new found knowledge in her life. Clara continuously seeks to grow not just for herself, but in order to become a serious dedicated leader. To that goal, she is well on her way."

At Yavneh, Clara made the courts her home during her Sophomore and Junior years - the Lady Bulldog Basketball and Tennis courts - while also being involved in the school's Hashinui/Environmental Club, Spirit Club, and Students Against Terrorism.