Newsroom (old)

2019 Annual Meeting: Student Presentations, Board Election

Incredible student presenters opened Scheck Hillel Community School’s 2019 Annual Meeting! “Innovation comes in many forms and the best kind calls for collaboration: coming together,” said Uri Benhamron, Chair of Scheck Hillel’s Board of Governors. This spoke to both presentations.

In the form of a fabulous runway fashion show, the school’s Girls Building STEAM Club showcased a program they developed this year with mentor Nancy Penchev, I Lab Instructor and Lower School Technology Coordinator, thanks to generous grants from the Greater Miami Jewish Federation and the TERRA Foundation. “Designing the Future: Using Fashion to Address Ecological Needs” for Grades 3-10 teams Lower School students with Upper School mentors to investigate ecological issues specific to the South Florida environment. Teams produced wearable fashion to bring attention to and help find solutions for problems the students have identified.

Michael Berenstein and Alex Wagenberg, both rising ‘20 seniors at Scheck Hillel since Early Childhood, presented a sneak peek of the new course to be offered in Capstone Semnar, as early as Fall 2019: Introduction to Adulthood. This class focuses on the skills necessary for a successful transition from high school into the professional world and connects students with successful mentors.

“Students make up only 20% of the US population, but we are 100% of our future,” Berenstein said. “With these additional tools, we will build a better tomorrow.”

The message of collaboration continued throughout the evening. Dr. Ezra Levy delivered a Dvar Torah as Rabbinic Head and Head of School Vanessa Donaher shared highlights and looked ahead. “Last year, we shined the light on Hillel is Home,” she said. “Ever-committed to our students’ academic, social-emotional and spiritual well-being, we’ve turned our focus to the values and partnerships that make a house a home.”

Outgoing Board members were recognized for their service and leadership: Ronit Shiro (Vice Chair), Michelle Amselem*, Carlos Berner (Chair of the Board, 2014-2017), Lia Brod and Maxim Weitzman.

Committee on Governance Chair Maxim Weitzman spoke to the power of parent involvement. "We encourage you all to become involved in our many Board committees, Advisory Committee and HIP/PTA. Our school benefits from your skills and talents, so please share your interests and availability throughout the year.” He also thanked fellow Committee members: Tal Harari ('07), Jill Kurzer, Immediate Past Board Chair Marty Scheck (alumnus) and Dana Yemin Schrager ('92).

Scheck Hillel Community School’s 2019-2020 Board of Governors follows, based on the Annual Meeting vote.
  1. Joseph Woldenberg, 1-Year Term
  2. Silvia Assor, 1-Year Term
  3. Uri Benhamron, 1-Year Term
  4. Max Fischbach, 2-Year Term
  5. Isaac Marcushamer, 2-Year Term
  6. Marcos Singer*, 2-Year Term
  7. David Bensadon, 3-Year Term
  8. Flavio Hojda, 3-Year Term
  9. Philip Solomon, 3-Year Term
  10. Jacques Bessoudo, 1-Year Term
  11. Anita Givner, 2-Year Term
  12. Marc Haime, 3-Year Term
“Community engagement and enthusiasm attest to organizational strength,” Benhamron said. “At Scheck Hillel, we grow from the shared values, wisdom and resources of our community members. May we continue to go from strength to strength.”

*Scheck Hillel Community School Alumnus/a
 
Back