A story of an alumnus and a beloved teacher May 26, 2015

Chad Zooker (‘92) fondly remembers being a Grade 8 student in Mrs. (Sima) Abarbanel’s Social Studies class. “I remember her as being one of my favorite teachers. I joke that she sent me out in the hall, but she says she doesn’t remember that. I would go with her version. I really liked having her as a teacher, she really stood out.” Sima similarly has positive memories of Chad as a student. She recalls him as a “great student, always with a smile on his face, sitting in the back of her class.” Looking back, despite having a warm teacher/student relationship, neither Chad nor Sima could have anticipated how their paths might cross in the future.

After graduation from KSDS, Chad went on to attend medical school and become a respected orthopaedic surgeon. He moved back to the Pikesville area to practice medicine and raise his family. Chad and his wife, Lauren, enrolled their daughter at KSDS, and when Chad was at school for various functions, he would seek out his former teachers, “peeking his head in” to say hi. It was during this time that Chad informally reconnected with Sima, who was still teaching at KSDS after 23 years. 

This past year, Sima found herself in need of an orthopaedic doctor for several medical issues. She knew Chad specialized in this area through her interactions with him and his excellent reputation in the community. Soon after scheduling her appointment with him, she found out that being his former teacher meant VIP treatment by his staff, with everyone knowing she was Chad’s former teacher. When asked about this, Chad admitted that there was an electronic “sticky” on her digital file so everyone would know who she was to him and treat her accordingly. 

One of Sima’s medical concerns, a shoulder injury, recently troubled her to the point that it required surgery with Chad. While the procedure went smoothly and Sima is already nearly healed and back to exercising, Chad noted that operating on a former teacher was a bit “surreal”. When asked about the the entire experience being Sima’s doctor and if it was a bit of a role reversal, Chad said, “It’s a funny little flip of roles to some degree. She was the font of knowledge to me as a student, now she’s expecting me to be the same way in terms of the shoulder, the hows and why of surgery, how we are going to fix it, and what to expect in terms of recovery.”

Sima expressed she was thrilled with the result of her surgery, and thankful for having Chad as a doctor. When asked about her final thoughts on Chad becoming such an accomplished doctor, she said, “I guess we (Chad’s teachers) maybe did something right here. It’s nice to see one of our alums succeed like that.” 

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Its six days to go to the…..

Schechter on the Move 5K and 1 Mile Family Fun Run!

The fourth annual Schechter on the Move 5K and 1 Mile Family Fun Run will be on Sunday 31 May at 8 am. After the race there will be the ever-popular post-race festivities which are always tremendous fun for the entire family. There will be free food and refreshments, water tag, a moon bounce, a DJ, and this year visit the GECEC Giftique post-race!

We hope to see a great alumni and alumni parent turn out.

REGISTER HERE. 

Support your fellow alum parents and our alumni May 13, 2015

Alum parent, Ava Barron Shasho LCSW-C, ACC,  a Clinical Social Worker and ICF Certified Life and Relationship Coach, has recently opened an office in the Pikesville area.

Please see the details below and consider using her, should a need arise.
“Unlock your future and release your past”

Website: avabarronshasho.com

410-356-0796

Fluent in ASL http://youtu.be/tKiJKkFwkiw

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Abby Pinson (98) will be running to save lives, as part of a Woman of the Year fundraising campaign team for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society New York Chapter. On May 16, she will be running the Brooklyn half marathon, and will do so, hopefully covered from head to toe with the names of supporters and honored loved ones!

Isabel, Abby’s mom, donated in honor of Carol Lombardo, who was a teacher in the KSDS middle school. It really means a lot to Abby that she can run in her honor, as well as anyone of your choosing.

If you would like to support Abby, please visit her page at http://www.mwoy.org/pages/nyc/nyc15/apinson  You can put the name(s) in the comments section or send her an e-mail afpinson@gmail.com

To learn more about Allies for a Cure, please visit http://www.alliesforacure.com/

We Are So Proud of Our Alum April 29, 2015

KSDS alumna, Celia Neustadt (04) founded The Inner Harbor Project a few years ago. This group works in downtown Baltimore to identify teen leaders in communities in that area. They provide training and resources to help these leaders come up with solutions to issues, which divide our society.  Celia and The Inner Harbor Project were featured on CNN’s Carol Costello Show this morning, where their trans-formative work in Baltimore was highlighted. In light of recent events, it is evident how important groups like The Inner Harbor Project are.

See more on this on their Facbook page and read about their work on their blog.

Mazal Tov…. and more. April 3, 2015

Mazal Tov to…

Hana and Eyal Bor, on the engagement of their daughter Nurit (02) to Drew Wilkins.

Beth Creeger and Charles Liptz on the engagement of their son Daniel (02) to Hudi Jacobson.

Henry Brem, Director of the Department of Neurosurgery of the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, on being elected to receive a Castle Connolly National Physician of the Year Award for Clinical Excellence.

Erica Pardes Schon, director of the Baltimore Chapter of HaZamir, for the group’s  incredible performance, together with 300 other US and Israeli students, at Lincoln Center.

HaZamir Artcle in the JT

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Catching up with our alum…

Mazal tov to Ben Kreshtool (00) on being appointed Ritual Director of Beth El Congregation.

Julia Ioffe (97) is a Senior Editor at The New Republic, after having served as Moscow correspondent for The New Yorker. She recently wrote an article in Glamour magazine entitled, The Voice for Children: Natalia Vodianova. Her many journalistic accomplishments include an appearance on The Colbert Report last year.

Evan Tucker (96) and his klezmer band “Schmuck” were recently featured in an article in the Jewish Times.

Evan Tucker – Artcle in the JT

Julia Narrow (05) is producing the upcoming production of The Wizard of Oz at the Gordon Center. The show has strong KSDS ties. Besides Julia, it features six current KSDS students and Sabrina, daughter of LS Science Teacher Alex Thaler.

Tickets are now on sale for performances on:

Thursday, May 14 at 7:00 pm

Sunday, May 17at 4:00 pm

First three rows $18, General Admission $13. To purchase, visit www.gordoncenter.com. The show will be all-ages appropriate and fun for everyone!

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KSDS Learning Festival Featured in the Jewish Times

The Middle School Learning Festival, along with with insights from some of the KSDS students, was featured in The Jewish Times earlier this month.

What were your children’s favorite Learning Festival themes?

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Schechter on the Move 5K and 1 Mile Family Fun Run!

Save the Date – 31 May.

Save the date for the fourth annual Schechter on the Move 5K and 1 Mile Family Fun Run on Sunday, May 31 at 8 am. After the race there will be the ever-popular post-race festivities which are always tremendous fun for the entire family. There will be free food and refreshments, water tag, a moon bounce, a DJ, and this year visit the GECEC Giftique post-race! 

REGISTER HERE. 

Sponsor the Schechter on the Move 5K Race!

Do you own, work for, or know a business that might be interested in sponsoring the Schechter on the Move 5K Race and 1 Mile Family Fun Run? This is a fantastic marketing opportunity to reach Schechter families and the wider community! There are a variety of sponsorship levels and 100% of your sponsorship goes towards scholarship. Even your family can be a sponsor if you want to support KSDS and receive special recognition. If you would like to be a sponsor, please contact Mindy Rosen at mrosen@ksds.edu

Mazal Tov….and more. January 5, 2015

MAZAL TOV TO…

Amy and Peter Sloane on the marriage of their son Joshua (05) to Sonia Silinsky Krupnikova on the 25th December 2014.

Shelly and Ira Malis on the engagement of their daughter Abigail (02) to Alex Schostak

Kindergarten teacher Nancy Muser on the birth of her grandson, born to Brad and Alli Muser.

Moshe Shualy and Jack Crystal for being selected to blow the shofar, as part of a concert with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra. The concert, Stravinsky’s “The Rite of Spring”, will be performed on Thursday, January 8 at 8:00 p.m. at the Meyerhoff and on Sunday, January 11 at Strathmore in Bethesda.

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Danny Kraft (05) recently had an eloquent article published in The Times of Israel.

Evan Margolis (04) has put together a group of talented artists (a few are KSDS alumni) who want to entertain and bring a few minutes of laughter to your day!  Watch the screen test clip!

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2015 Learning Festival Presenters Needed (10-12 February).

Learning Festival – a highlight of the KSDS year. One of its goals is to connect KSDS students with their local community. They are in need of  presenters (or people who could connect them to presenters) who are willing to speak from expertise and/or experience on a variety of topics related to this year’s theme: HISPANIOLA AND THE CARIBBEAN.

Potential topics include, but are not limited to:

• History

• Jewish history

• Geography

• Colonization

• Culture (art, music, dance, sports, games, language)

• Economy

• Daily life/struggles

• International affairs

KSDS loves having its alumni and alum parents back in the building. If you are interested in participating, please click here. Or please contact Michelle Frisby at mfrisby@ksds.edu if you know of someone who the Learning Festival Committee could contact to present. Thank you!

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KSDS Students perform with Rick Recht: A Community Havdalah Concert

Saturday, January 10, 7 p.m. Tickets  $10/person (online) – Gordon Center.

This Jewish rock star has toured the world, and KSDS MS choir students will have the chance to perform with him at this special evening program. Recht empowers multigenerational audiences with his unique blend of rock, pop, and messages of spirituality and social action. See here for tickets & details.

Catching Up December 7, 2014

Mazal Tov to…..

Faculty members Dafna and Dr Uri Tasch and Michal and Dr. Uri Reichman on the marriage of their children Noam Tasch to Hadas Reichman.

Harriet and William Helfand on birth of their granddaughter Meital, daughter of Ilanit and and Alex Helfand (98).

Faculty member, Laurie and Aaron Margolies on the birth of a grandson to their children Shira and Jon Waldstreicher.

Barbara Portnoy Spector and Alan (Z”L) Levine on the engagement of Ahnie Levin (04) to Zach Perlmutter.

Raquel Schuster Herr and Stanley (Z”L) Herr on the engagement of Deborah Herr (04) to Zach Richter

Bruce Yailin, who has accepted the position of Executive Director at Shir Chadash Conservative Congregation in the New Orleans area. He and Judy, will be leaving Baltimore at the end of December.

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Support our Alumni…

Several of our New York City alumni in New York City have reunited, connecting and collaborating together with an organization called CO/LAB (Creative Opportunities without Limits and Boundaries) Theater Group, which was founded by KSDS alum Arielle Lever (02).  The non-profit’s  mission is to provide individuals with developmental disabilities a creative and social outlet through theater arts.  Since 2011, they have served over 500 individuals ranging from ages 5-78, have offered over 25 classes, and produced 12 productions in Seattle, Chicago, NYC, and the greater NY area. In the last two months, Arielle’s KSDS classmates have joined her in supporting the organization – Elizabeth Lenrow (02) recently joined the organization’s Junior Board and Carly Schleider (02) is working closely in the Development Department.  Visit CO/LAB’s website for more information.

CO/LAB is participating in its largest online campaign to date, hoping to raise $20,000 this month. You can contribute to Arielle’s page, and be sure to check out the video on the homepage for the inside scoop on CO/LAB.

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Last Days to Vote for KSDS in the BGE “Wires Down” Video Challenge!

Mr. Thaler and the Grade 4 students put together an amazing video for the BGE “Wires Down” Challenge which promotes electrical safety. The KSDS video is now up on the BGE website, where they are competing against other schools’ submissions for a chance to win $10,000 for KSDS!

They need you, the KSDS community, to show your support for Mr. Thaler and his students’ amazing creativity and help them win the challenge. Visit BGE Video Challenge, scroll down to find the KSDS video, and vote for it to win. You can vote up to three times a day (all in a row if you like) from now until the contest closes on tomorrow, December 8. You can do this on each of your devices. This takes just a few seconds and there is no sign up required, nor e-mail required.

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Self-Portraits Sought for Upcoming Book!

Ellen Kahan Zager, a graphic designer and KSDS alumni parent, is designing a book with a grant from the Baltimore/Ashkelon Partnership, the brainchild of two now-grown-up teens who were participants in the Diller Teen Fellows program, a beneficiary of the BAP. The book is called “A Letter From Sara” and is a bilingual book (Hebrew/English) about children in Baltimore and Ashkelon! Once the book is published it will be distributed all over Ashkelon and to all of the Jewish schools in Baltimore to teach the communities about each other. Ellen is looking for children in Baltimore and Ashkelon in grades 4 through 6 who would like to send her their self portraits to be published in the book. If you know of a child who would like to participate, please contact her at ekz917@verizon.net and she will send you specific instructions. The template for the self-portrait (including proper dimensions) is attached here.

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Know other alum parents who you think would enjoy this bulletin board?

Please feel free to share this post with them so that they can subscribe too.

It is done in two easy steps.

1.Simply enter your e-mail in the top right box at www.ksdsalumparents.wordpress.com.

2. When you receive a confirmation e-mail from WordPress,

make sure to click on the confirmation link.

 

 

Mazal Tovs, News and More….. October 27, 2014

MAZAL TOV TO….

Alison Witow and Jack Tucker and Isabel and Steven Pinson on the engagement of their children Jordan Tucker (01) to Naomi Pinson (02). What a celebration for two KSDS grads to be engaged.

Debbie and Chuck Frazer on the engagement of their son Joshua Frazer (01) to Meredith West.

Shira Lander and David Portnoy on the engagement of their son Zachary (02) to Elana Shpritz

Marsha and Sherwin Yoffee on the marriage of their son, Abe (95) to Hilarie Szczygiel.

WHAT AN ACCOMPLISHMENT!

We have had four KSDS alum (that we know of) participate in marathons in the last few weeks. All did incredibly well.

Sara Lever (05) and Brenna Hoffman (05) completed the Marine Corps Marathon on 26 October. They ran and raised money for Back on My Feet, which uses running to help those experiencing homelessness change the way they see themselves so they can make real change in their lives that results in employment and independent living.

Ian Lever (08) completed the St Louis Rock and Roll Half Marathon on October 19.

Leah Smith (12) completed the Baltimore Marathon on October 18.

WHERE ARE THEY NOW.

Daniel Saltzberg (05) is a Chesapeake Conservation Corps Fellow, working in the Frederick County Office of Sustainability and Environmental Resources.

Abby Grobani (07) recently returned  from her volunteer experience in at the Kynsna Elephant Park in South Africa. A recent college graduate with a degree in Captive Wildlife Care and Education, Abby spent a month in the African Research Unit of Knysna Elephant Park where she studied and cared for the animals. Abby came to KSDS a couple weeks ago and did a presentation to the 7th Grade about her experience.

Sarah Attman (01) has recently moved back to Baltimore from LA. She just had an article “When did Baltimore Become so Chic” published in the Baltimore Sun.

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BOOK FAIR is this coming week. Feel free to stop in and shop tax-free. Monday, November 3 – Thursday, November 6, 8 am – 5 pm every day (extended until 7:30 pm on Wednesday, 11/5) in the Esterson Auditorium.

 

KSDS Needs Cardboard Boxes!

During the STEAM Showcase on November 16 from 9-11 am, the students at KSDS will be participating in a cooperative build based on the short film, “Caine’s Arcade”. They are in need of cardboard boxes, so if you or someone you know has boxes to donate, please contact Karen Booth at kbooth@ksds.edu. The bigger the boxes the better! All boxes can be placed in the Rosenbloom lobby, in the alcove area.

Additionally, if you would like to be a presenter or know of someone who could be a presenter in any area of the arts or science, please contact Karen at kbooth@ksds.edu.

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Know other alum parents who you think would enjoy this bulletin board?

Please feel free to share this post with them so that they can subscribe too.

It is done in two easy steps.

1.Simply enter your e-mail in the top right box at www.ksdsalumparents.wordpress.com.

2. When you receive a confirmation e-mail from WordPress,

make sure to click on the confirmation link.

Catching up with our Alum October 2, 2014

Adee Telem (95) is the Co-Founder and CEO of The Social Investment Consultancy in NYC

Rebecca Gillette (02)  is in graduate school at Yale, pursuing an MBA.

Mardy Shualy (02) has completed two years in the Peace Corps in South Africa.  He is now in graduate school at Yale.

Max Lifson (03) is a Graduate Student in Materials Science at the California Institute of Technology

Eric Narrow (03) is a Mid-Atlantic Campaign Executive at Jewish National Fund in Baltimore

Hannah Silverman (03) is a Financial Services Consultant  at Ernst & Young – Credit Analytics in DC

Elan Telem (03) is a Recruiting Coordinator at Deutsche Bank in NYC

Erin Dubnow (04) is at Temple University School of Medicine.

Mickey Katz (05)  is an Executive Compensation Analyst with Towers Watson in NYC.

 Julie Levitsky (05) is the Personal Assistant to Soledad O’Brien at at Starfish Media Group in NYC

Jeremy Hiken (05) is a Legal Research Associate at Thomson Reuters Westlaw in DC

Samantha Bloom (06) is the new Assistant Principal, Youth Director and Song Leader at Temple Oheb Shalom Religious School.

Josh Sherman (06) is in Israel on a Fellowship working on Arab Israeli/Israeli relations.

Rachel Shapiro (06) is teaching English in Spain.

Daniel Tsemach (06) just started training with the Israeli Defense Force.

Bessie Hurwitz (06) is working in China.

Sam Crystal (06) is spending the year in Israel. Follow his blog here.

Kayla Reisman (06) is a Senior Engagement Associate at Ithaca College Hillel.

Andrew Schon (06) is a Systems Administrator at McBee Digital.

Avi Miller (06) is a Graduate Assistant for Athletic Communications at The University of Akron.

Aviva Schwartz works at Clark University.

Adam Belzberg (06) is the Chief Operating Officer at Sagehen Capital Management in LA

Arielle Allentoff (06) is attending BU College of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences – Sargent College.

Adin Reisner (06) works at the University of Rochester.

Ethan Levin (06) works at Berkley College of Music

Abby Shulman (06) is attending Vanderbilt University School of Medicine.

We are so proud of our alum. Your fellow alum parents are very interested to know what  your child is doing these days.

Please e-mail us and let us know so that we can include them next time.

 AND DON’T FORGET……

We hope to see you on the 26 October at 6:30 for a special evening of reminiscing with friends, sharing memories, and reconnecting.

Click here to register.

We are Proud of our Alum July 24, 2014

Leah Smith (2012) has just returned from Israel and wrote  Why me, why us? –  a commentary piece for the Baltimore Sun, which was published yesterday. Leah’s eloquence and mature analysis of the situation, come shining through in this article.

Catching up with our alum and alum parents. May 18, 2014

MAZAL TOV TO….

Brian Crystal (99) on passing  the EMT-B exams and becoming an EMT. Proud parents are Hillary and Jack.

Jay and Cindy Goldstein on the engagement of their son, David (02) to Laura Schimberg.

Edward and Carol Gratz on the birth of their granddaughter on 6 May.  Proud parents are  Ricky (94) and Sarah and sister Julia.

Rich and Ellen Gillette on the engagement of their daughter Rebecca (02) to Max Brondfield

Danielle Nussbaum (92), who has been named senior West Coast editor at Entertainment Weekly. Danielle was most recently the entertainment director at Clique Media, which owns fashioin and lifestyle sites WhoWhatWhere, Byrdie and Domaine Home. Prior to that, she spent six years overseeing entertainment coverage at Teen Vogue.

 

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In Max Buchdal’s (10) recently published book, Return of the Exiled, he details the passage of his family throughout Germany in the years prior to their immigration to the United States. Return of the Exiled parallels the past, as Max’s family attempts to get out of Nazi Germany, with the present, as Max travels with his family to Germany to re-trace his ancestor’s steps. Through careful thought and observation, Return of the Exiled takes the reader into the mind of a 17 year-old as he reflects upon his family’s past before he embarks on his own future.

KSDS alum parent and former editor of the Jewish Times, Neil Rubin writes this of Max’s book;“Max Buchdahl’s first book covers an important chapter in the painful and remarkable upheaval that ultimately defined one of Jewry’s most accomplished and historic communities. The intertwining of deadly threat, escape to freedom and confrontation of memory is profoundly worth the reader’s time.”

Purchase Max’s book on Amazon.

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READ….

About Sam Crystal’s (06) experience helping to build a museum exhibit at his school, the University of Mary Washington.

The Jewish Times article about Marisa Obushowski’s (03) Masa Israel experience.

KSDS alum parent Adina Amith’s recent article in the Baltimore Sun.

 

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Follow KSDS alum parent Eve Vogelstein’s blog called Garden of Eve. Eve, a talented gardener writes about the many flora and fauna wonders she encounters in her garden.

Your fellow alum parents love hearing  your news and news of your children.

So please keep us in the loop.

Want to share? Please e-mail janinefrier@yahoo.com

 

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