Hagaon Hacham Mordechai Eliyahu z.s.l.

Magen David Yeshivah Celia Esses High School’s twentieth commencement exercises were conducted on June 2, 2010 at Brooklyn College’s Walt Whitman Hall. Two valedictorians and two salutatorians, each with a cumulative average of 98 percent and over in Judaic and General Studies, represented their graduating class and delivered inspiring commencement addresses. They based their speeches on relevant divre Torah from the parasha or Pirke Avot, and spoke about how the Torah learning and general education they acquired at Magen David would illuminate their path in life and enable them to enjoy a bright future.

Abraham Kassin

Valedictorian

Abraham’s academic achievement in both General and Judaic Studies has been outstanding. Throughout his years at Magen David, Abraham has demonstrated exemplary devotion to Torah learning and scholarship. Abraham volunteers and helps out at Congregation Shaare Zion and the Magen David Yeshivah Torah Center. He is also involved in Sephardic Bikur Holim and volunteers at the Top Gun basketball tournament. In addition to his scholarly and altruistic pursuits, Abraham has been hard at work on his first novel that, hopefully, will be published in the near future. Abraham will be studying next year at Yeshivat Mikdash Melekh in Israel and will be attending N.Y.U. upon his return.

In his commencement address, Abraham said that Magen David Yeshivah has truly been a “shield,” protecting its students from harm and providing them with a safe harbor and a second home. He expressed his gratitude for the religious foundation of Torah and missvot the school provided, as well as the wealth of secular knowledge and skills. Abraham expressed his devotion to the school, its staff and his peers. “During our time at Magen David we created unbreakable bonds with our principals, teachers and rabbis. We strengthened old bonds of friendship and created new ones that have lasted from freshman retreat day through senior trip, and hopefully, throughout our lifetime.” Abraham said that although he and his friends are graduating, he knows that the “Magen David Shield” will always be there for them.

Jennifer Senior

Valedictorian

With her thirst for knowledge and love of learning, Jennifer Senior has always been every teacher’s dream. She has been involved in school and community outreach throughout her high school years. Jennifer tutored students who required academic support. She also volunteered at Camp Esh where she served as a counselor, and Sephardic Bikur Holim where she participated in visits to senior citizen residences and helped out with the food pantry. She has also participated in Chai Lifeline and Imagine’s activities and fundraisers. Jennifer hopes to pursue a career in education. She will be attending Barnard College next year.

In her commencement address, Jennifer reminded her friends of the experiences they shared and the memories they will cherish for the rest of their lives. “With the power of free will,” she said, “we each have the ability to make decisions and choose our paths as unique individuals. We can choose right from wrong based on the guidelines of the Torah that Magen David has instilled within us. By choosing our own paths, we avoid imitation and help promote individuality.”

Ezra Dayan

General Excellence

Ezra Dayan has been active in school and extracurricular activities over the past four years. Mr. Altabe said, “Rarely have I seen such an involved student earn such high grades! Ezra was a driving force in many of our hesed programs, whether it was helping to lead the hesed mission to Israel or coordinating our blood drive for the past two years.” Ezra will be attending N.Y.U. next year and hopes to pursue a career in medicine.

In his speech, Ezra discussed the story of the “meraglim – spies.” He said that “Magen David has prepared us for the real world. They instilled in us the values to help us know the difference between right and wrong and to always make the right decision.” Ezra said that through attending weekly classes at the MDY Torah Center and daily learning at the Sephardic Rabbinical College he has deepened his love of Torah study and grown even more connected to what he learns. He thanked the school as well for “all the opportunities to do hesed, such as raising money for Israeli soldiers, running three blood drives, spending a month in the summer volunteering at an orphanage in Israel and organizing a charity benefit concert.” Ezra expressed his gratitude to the staff of Magen David who serve the students as “role models, mentors and friends and are always there when we need them.”

Rose Maratchi

General Excellence

Rose maintained a commitment to scholarship and community service throughout her high school career. With her energy, drive and dedication, Rose has made an impact on those around her both in and out of the classroom.” Rose will be attending Brooklyn College next year, as well as the Allegra Franco Sephardic Women’s Teachers College.

Rose spoke about how difficult it is at this juncture to leave Magen David High School where everyone has “worked really hard to create lasting relationships with the students and motivate them to strive for excellence.” She said that she was treated as a “daughter” by her teachers and principals and was taught to “work harder, love learning and to never give up on my dreams.” Rose has been active in Sephardic Bikur Holim and the Sharsheret Cancer Foundation. Along with 80 Magen David Yeshivah students, she donated her hair to Zichron Menachem to help cancer patients in Israel. She said, “After donating my hair I realized that giving a part of yourself without expecting anything in return is the greatest feeling in the world. All the hesed projects I have been involved in helped me grow and have given me great joy.”