Schoolyard fences, park benches and basketball hoops welcomed hundreds of guests to the Yeshivah of Flatbush 83rd Anniversary Awards Celebration and Installation of Leadership. Walls of photos depicting the past eight decades of Yeshivah of Flatbush’s success stood as an eminent reminder of the school’s powerful legacy.

YOF parents, friends and faculty joined together at Congregation Shaare Zion for an exquisite night led by YOF Vice President Jack Mann, chairman of the successful journal campaign. The event honored outstanding supporters of YOF and installed the new roster of its officers and board members. In particular, Jack Rahmey, the school’s unprecedented three-term president “handed over the gavel” to his successor, Mark Goldstein.

Mark Goldstein, now YOF president, is not a new face to Flatbush. As a former YOF parent and current grandparent of an Atideinu student, he has devoted immeasurable energy to the school for over 20 years as treasurer, vice president and chairman of the board of education. Mark is committed to facilitating communication among all members of the YOF family, and has introduced initiatives such as a 311 school information system to have questions quickly addressed, grade liaisons from the Young Leadership Council to help new families navigate through the school, and a president’s suggestion box to appear in the elementary and high school lobbies. He allows access to his email address for anyone to reach him at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Goldstein informed the audience of major renovations over the summer to upgrade the Joel Braverman High School science labs and of innovations planned for the school’s curriculum. His goal is to ensure that current and future generations of students obtain the quality education that his received.

Mark recognized Honorary President Jack Rahmey and his outstanding contributions as president for the past six years. Jack, an alumnus himself, has served throughout the recent world financial crisis that has severely impacted our families and institutions. His many contributions include the establishment of the vibrant Young Leadership Council, a group of young Flatbush parents, dedicated to service, who will ensure the growth of the yeshivah in the years to come. He also worked round the clock with school leadership to review and responsibly manage the YOF’s finances to come through the crisis and maintain the YOF standard of excellence. The Yeshivah of Flatbush owes Jack Rahmey a great debt of gratitude.

The night celebrated the contributions of many, and heading the list were guests of honor David and Nancy Oved. David warmed the crowd with his touching words on the solid foundation and strong Jewish identity that YOF instills in our children. Now a prominent head of Oved Apparel Group, he reflected on his past. As a child, he could not go to a yeshivah, and he watched how easily Jewish children around him slipped away from their roots when deprived of a formal Jewish education and environment. Fortunately, David stayed involved in Jewish life.

“I am the exception,” he said, “not the rule.” David spoke with passion and strength when he encouraged the crowd to contribute to the teshivah’s tuition assistance program. He provided insights to the audience about the kind of children they are helping and the importance of Jewish people helping each other.

Nancy Oved is a Yeshivah of Flatbush graduate who both appreciated the strong academic education she received and the commitment to Medinat Yisrael, to Jewish values and to the Jewish people that is core to the YOF mission. She believes Flatbush provides what she and her husband seek for their four children—Joseph, Marilyn, Jack and Ester—and that the school has become their second home.

Nancy’s loyalty to Flatbush didn’t only influence her husband; it also encouraged David’s brothers and families to join them at YOF. Over the past 10 years, Nancy has encouraged David in his school leadership role. He has worked hard to insure that no child is deprived of a quality yeshivah education due to his or her family’s financial limitations. Nancy is proud that David stands today as a trustee and active member of numerous committees.

Avi Shapira, a graduate of the class of 1983, received the Yeshivah of Flatbush Alumnus of the Year Award. Now a partner in Fremada Gold, a wholesale jewelry firm, he was a student who not only appreciated the educational advantages of the school, but cherished the family that Flatbush created for him when, sadly, he lost both his parents by the time he was a junior in high school. “Flatbush was a surrogate family that stood with me during a very difficult time in my life,” he said. As one committed to “hakarat hatov,” giving back, Avi continues to involve himself in organizing YOF alumni anniversary reunions and is a founding member of the Alumni Executive Committee.

Yeshivah of Flatbush Joel Braverman High School’s very own Associate Principal, Mr. Joel Littman, was presented with the Yeshivah’s Distinguished Service Award. He came to Flatbush in 1968 as a part time biology teacher while working in the public school system. His expertise as an advanced placement biology teacher and later as an associate principal, paired with his love for YOF students and faculty, kept him there for 40 years. His colleagues’ accolades tell the story.

Principal Rabbi Ronald Levy said, “His relationships with his students are enviable.” Head of School Rabbi Dr. Raymond Harari described Littman as a teacher’s teacher and an expert in pedagogy.

As the night drew to a close and dessert was presented, one speaker still held the crowd’s attention. Middle Division Principal Rabbi David Hertzberg had yet to pick the Fly4Life raffle winner. Fly4Life featured three terrific prize choices: 2,000,000 frequent flyer miles, a $50,000 Yeshivah of Flatbush tuition credit, or $36,000. Kudos go to the Fly4Life committee, headed by Allan Levy and Eric Setton, and congratulations go to the winner and all the raffle participants. Their generosity will strengthen the yeshivah’s tuition assistance program and benefit countless children.

It was a night of beautiful words, achievement and gratitude. A special thank you goes to Journal Co-Chairpersons Steven Adelsberg, Isaac Oved, and Ronnie Oved. The magnificent night was overseen by three exceptional event chairpersons: Rena Goldstein, Joan Mann, and Barbara Rahmey. Their hard work, care, and creativity were evident. The dedicated volunteers worked hand-in-hand with the school’s professional executive office staff, under the guidance of YOF Executive Vice President Dennis M. Eisenberg.
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Esther Varon is a student at Brooklyn College and Diane Chabbott is the YOF publicist.