On June 20, 2011/19 Sivan 5771, Rambam Mesivta graduated its 16th class in a student-led night of humor, warmth, and celebration of Torah, midos and excellence.

Following renditions of Hatikvah and the Star Spangled Banner by seniors Jason Giller, Azariah Hacohen, and Abie Lieber, the night’s Masters of Ceremonies, seniors Aaron Kattan and Yosef Rosenthal, entertained the assembled crowd of hundreds of Rebbeim, teachers, and family, with props and light-hearted jokes about their experiences in Rambam. They introduced the Rosh Mesivta, Rabbi Zev Meir Friedman, who shared with the boys words of guidance and Torah. He exhorted the boys to, above all else, to continue to conduct themselves as B’nei Torah in Israel, college, and beyond.

Salutatorian and Intel semifinalist, Nathan Akhavan, addressed the graduation class by paying tribute to the style of his Rebbe, Rabbi Jonathan Muskat, by beginning his speech with a joke. He transitioned into delivering a very moving speech in which he thanked his parents, rebbeim, and teachers for helping him achieve his success.

After Nathan’s oration, Rabbi Friedman, Principal Rabbi Yotav Eliach, Assistant Principal Hillel Goldman, and Director of College Guidance, Mr. Ira J. Schildkraut distributed the following merit-based awards:

Awards for Excellence in Limudei Kodesh

Gemara B’Iyun

Conceptual analysis in the study of Talmud

YECHIEL SCHWAB

Gemara B’kius

Mastering the breadth and skills in the study of Talmud

ELISHA PEARL

Halacha

Conceptual analysis in the study and practice of Jewish Law

NATHAN AKHAVAN

Tanach

Study of Torah, Nevi’im and Ketuvim

DANIEL BLICKSTEIN

Masmid

Diligence in the pursuit of Torah Study

ELLIOT STEINFELD

Doresh Emes

Quest for a deeper understanding of Hashkafa

YOSEF ROTH

Awards for Overall Excellence in

The study of the Sciences

NATHAN AKHAVAN

BENJAMIN GOLDMAN

The study of Math

JOSH HERZBERG

The study of the Social Sciences

AZARIAH HACOHEN

DAVID SALMAN

The study of English Literature

BENJAMIN GOLDMAN

The study of Computer Science

DOVID SEPTIMUS

Awards for

Merit, Service and Excellence

Mr. Jack Isseroff Memorial Award

Exemplifying outstanding midos, caring and humility

SHMUEL BERKOVITZ

ELIYAHU PETRIKOVSKY

Dr. Howie Guterman Memorial Chesed Award

Outstanding leadership and service to Klal Yisrael

AARON KATTAN

Mr. Marvin Hochbaum Memorial Award

Demonstrating outstanding Ahavat HaTorah and Ahavat Eretz Yisrael

DANIEL ZARGARI

Moshe Litvintchouk Lema’an Achai V’Reiai Memorial Award

Outstanding midos and concern for others epitomizing the ideal of Kol Yisrael Arevim Zeh LaZeh

AARON KATTAN

Yomam V’layla Award

Ongoing and tireless dedication to his classmates, community and school 24/6

AZARIAH HACOHEN

Oseik B’Tzarchei Tzibur Award

Outstanding leadership and dedication in Tefillah

ELISHA PEARL

YECHIEL SCHWAB

V’Halachta B’Drachav Award

Epitomizing the ideals and values of a ben Torah

NACHUM LICHTMAN

Zachor Award

Dedication in perpetuating the memory of Kedoshei HaShoah and bringing Nazi War Criminals to justice

EVAN LINDER

The Torah Communications Network Kesser Shem Tov Award

Outstanding character, midos and derech eretz

CHEZKY HARTMAN

The MVP Award

Excellence in the classroom and on the playing field

YOSEF ROSENTHAL

Nassau County Office of the Comptroller Achievement Award

ANDREW LUSTBADER

New York State Scholarship for Academic Excellence

JACOB ROGELBERG

ELLIOT STEINFELD

National Merit Scholarship Program Commended Students

BENJAMIN GOLDMAN

CHEZKY HARTMAN

ELISHA PEARL

DAVID SALMAN

YECHIEL SCHWAB

The Lawrence Association Community Service Award

CHEZKY HARTMAN

Long Island Blood Services 2011 High School Blood Drive Scholarship

AARON KATTAN

Following the Senior Awards Ceremony, the Valedictorian, Yechiel Schwab, took the stage and began by asking permission to speak from, “Rabbi Friedman, Rabbi Eliach, Mr. Goldman, rabbis, teachers, family, friends, Romans, and countrymen.” He then proceeded to deliver a stirring dvar Torah as well as a complex guide explaining “How To Become Valedictorian.”

Since virtually all of the boys from the senior class will be studying in Israel next year, additional words of advice were then shared by Rabbi Eliach who outlined a list of things that must be experienced in Israel next year by the boys who would be learning there. They included, among other things, spending a Shabbos in a Hesder Yeshiva, commemorating Yom HaShoah at Yad Vashem, and visiting the graves of fallen Israeli soldiers. He also stressed that this graduating class once again followed in the tradition of previous graduating classes in netting approximately $40,000 per capita in academic scholarships.

Rabbi Friedman and Rabbi Eliach shared a few kind words highlighting the interests and accomplishments of each and every graduate as he approached the stage to receive his diploma. The students were also given Masters of the Mesorah: Early Rishonim, by Rabbi Zechariah Fendel, Oleh Hashalom, and the book, Endless Miracles, which chronicles the story of Jack Ratz, a Holocaust Survivor, and grandfather to graduating senior, Aaron Fine.

Mr. Goldman concluded the night’s festivities by inaugurating a new Rambam Mesivta tradition: The Graduation Mezinka. The school took the opportunity to recognize parents who had sent all of their sons to Rambam and were now graduation their youngest son. Dr. and Mrs. Alan and Mona Goldman, Mr. and Mrs. Alan and Shaindy Hammer, and Mr. and Mrs. Howard and Esti Schwab were called up to receive certificates that read: “This award acknowledges your continued commitment to the Rambam Mesivta and your confidence in us that each of your sons, each in his own way, would receive the unique education and warmth he deserves. Several sons, but one home and one family devoted to one school.” The Mezinka music was then played as the surprised, elated, and appreciative parents accepted their awards.

The Masters of Ceremonies announced that the official graduation was over and everyone proceeded to an adjacent room for refreshments. Every student had his own cake with his name on it, which allowed for each family to share in a little private nachas before the music started, and dancing broke out.

As the graduates danced with fathers, grandfathers, their friends, teachers, and rebbeim, the feeling of accomplishment was palpable. The Rambam class of 2011/5771 leaves behind a legacy of leadership, midos tovos, and academic excellence that is in a class by itself.