Fw: HTC Newsletter: July Recap

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August 1, 2025 Dear Alumni and Friends, What an incredible summer it's been at HTC! We were privileged to host Chai Lifeline's Camp Simcha Without Borders and our very own Yeshivas HaKayitz—each bringing tremendous ruach, warmth, and inspiration to our campus. Before Tisha B'Av, we welcomed 500 guests for a powerful and moving premiere screening of the FYHS Names, Not Numbers Holocaust education project, which preserves the firsthand testimonies of Holocaust survivors. We extend heartfelt wishes of hatzlacha to Rabbi Yosef Polstein upon his retirement from Fasman Yeshiva High School. We are also thrilled to welcome Mrs. Kochava Yitzhak as the new Chair of the Department of Judaic Studies at the Sarah Hartman Women's College of Touro at HTC. In addition, we're proud to welcome back Simcha Wechsler to our team through an innovative partnership with Keshet's GADOL program. We join our Yeshiva community in mourning the losses of our alumni, HaRav Nachum Pavlov ZT"L (HTC '64), a beloved Rav in Eretz Yisrael and Zali Arnold Z"L (FYHS '20), a beloved talmid and friend to so many. Please read on for more news, alumni updates, and Divrei Torah from our esteemed graduates. Warm regards,  Rabbi Shmuel L. Schuman CEO, HTC HTC News This monthly email newsletter is sponsored by: GGM Associates, Inc. was established with a strong foundation and understanding of the healthcare industry's accounting and business operations. With decades of public and private accounting experience, GGM can help you grow your business and achieve your goals. Visit ggmcpas.com to learn more! HTC News Check out HTC's alumni website for more exciting news, pictures, events, and more! With Great Sorrow, HTC Mourns the Loss of Alumnus HaRav Nachum Pavlov ZT"L  With great sorrow, HTC mourns the loss of alumnus and Torah giant, HaRav Nachum Pavlov ZT"L (HTC '64), brother of Yeshiva alumni, Rav Yosef Pavlov (HTC '65), Dr. Moshe Pavlov (HTC '71), R' Ezriel Pavlov and Rebbetzin Chana Perlman. Rav Pavlov was the distinguished Rav of Zichron Shlomo in Romema-Mattesdorf and Rosh Kollel and Rav of Kehilas Ori Chaim in Ashkelon.   Click here to read more Wishing Hatzlacha To Rabbi Yosef Polstein Upon His Retirement From FYHS  Rabbi Yosef Polstein, who just surpassed forty years at the Yeshiva, has announced his retirement from the role of rebbe at Fasman Yeshiva High School. He will stay on in his role of Camp Director Emeritus/Camp Rabbi for HTC's overnight camp, Yeshivas HaKayitz, where he will continue to run the Torah learning program.  Click here to read more Sarah Hartman Women's College of Touro at HTC Welcomes Mrs. Kochava Yitzhak as Chair of Department of Jewish Studies Sarah Hartman Women's College of Touro at HTC is pleased to announce the appointment of Mrs. Kochava Yitzhak as chair of its Department of Judaic Studies. With over 25 years of experience in the field of Jewish education for women, including more than two decades at Ida Crown Jewish Academy, Mrs. Yitzhak brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to this role.   Click here to read more HTC Welcomes Back Simcha Wechsler Through Innovative Partnership with Keshet's GADOL Program During the 2024-25 school year, Hebrew Theological College (HTC) proudly welcomed Simcha Wechsler to its facilities team through a partnership with Keshet's GADOL Program. As a member of HTC's facilities team, Simcha assisted with the clean-up of the dining room and main floor facilities, while becoming a beloved presence on campus. HTC is pleased to welcome him back for a second year.  Click here to read more HTC's Yeshivas Hakayitz Welcomes Over 200 this Summer It was so wonderful to host over 200 hundred campers, staff and learning rebbeim at HTC's Yeshivas HaKayitz this summer! Kayitz is a robust summer program that transforms the Yeshiva's campus and fills the walls with extensive Torah learning, sports, games, and daily trips. Special thank you to Rabbi Uri Zimmerman, Camp Director along with Rabbi Yosef Polstein, Camp Rav and all of our dedicated staff for creating another truly magical summer here at the Yeshiva.  More HTC News New Episodes of The Yeshiva Show Season 2, Episode 10 - One Big Beautiful Tuition Break! with Rabbi Sammy Joseph This week on the Yeshiva Show, Mo is out somewhere in Israel while Duv sits down with Rabbi Sammy Joseph (FYHS '03 and HTC '11) to discuss the groundbreaking federal tax credit that was just signed into law by President Trump! Let's dive deep into the new program, how it compares to the previous Illinois program, and what it can mean for Jewish private schools and their families throughout the United States. Listen on Spotify Listen on Apple Podcasts Listen on HTCAlumni.org Our Alumni HTC is proud of our students, past and present! Take a look at this month's spotlighted alumni. Alumnus Name: Dr. Etan Marks Graduating Year: 2003 Current Location: Hollywood, FL Profession: Pathologist/Lab Director Tell us a little bit about your family:  I'm married to Nechama and have twin boys who just had their bar mitzvah What is your favorite memory/(memories) from FYHS/HTC/Kayitz: I have so many great stories about Mr. Peterson but not sure how appropriate they are for this interview! I also remember someone from my class stealing and dropping Rabbi Twerski's gavel out the window. Lastly, I had to dress up as a woman for Mr. Cross's class and had to wear a wig and a dress. All these stories make me laugh! Please share a lesson/takeaway from your time at FYHS/HTC/Kayitz: Our class was extremely fluid. Tons of guys left and came. You never know who you are going to meet. But we still all got along and made it work. The Yeshiva created such a positive environment to allow that to happen. Advice for current students: Learn as much as you can in HS, especially with your Judaic studies as this is going to be your foundation for the rest of your life. Alumnus Name: Rabbi Zach Swigard Graduating Year: 2002 Current Location: Los Angeles, CA Profession: Principal at Yeshivat Yavneh, K-8 School in Los Angeles Tell us a little bit about your family:  I'm married to Devorah with 3 kids, 18, 15, and 11 years old  What is your favorite memory/(memories) from FYHS/HTC/Kayitz: One of my most memorable experiences was the lightning strike. It was a moment of chaos, but out of that craziness, we felt truly cared for. Rabbi Weiss took charge of the situation, turning adversity into an opportunity that brought us all closer together. Beyond that, my years were shaped by incredible Rebbeim who made a lasting impact on me. I felt a deep connection to Rabbi Schachter who sparked my love for learning—so much so that I reached out to thank him this past summer. Rabbi Polstein looked after us as if we were his own children. Whether it was being in his shiur to working as a counselor in Yeshivas Hakayitz. I have so many great memories of the Rebbeim's care and dedication, which continue to inspire me today. Please share a lesson/takeaway from your time at FYHS/HTC/Kayitz: I wasn't a shoo-in to attend Skokie—my brother went to Ner Yisroel—but through Josh Zisook, a friend and neighbor from Seattle, I realized I should check out the Yeshiva. Looking back, I'm so grateful I did. As a principal, I now appreciate the nuances of finding the right place, derech, and environment for each student. What stood out about the Yeshiva was how it allowed students to make mistakes while still showing them love and belief. I felt that support firsthand, and it played a key role in my growth. Our dorm counselor, Jared Topek, represented this every day. I looked up to him as a role model and he helped me so much. That experience shaped the way I approach education today, ensuring that every student feels valued and has the space to grow. Advice for current students: My advice would be to take a moment to appreciate the unique experience of being part of this Yeshiva. It's easy to recognize its impact in hindsight, but there's so much value in appreciating it while you're still there. Being part of the Skokie Yeshiva legacy is something I take pride in—it helped shape who I am today, and I will always feel connected to the Yeshiva family. Anything else to share? I am currently in my 16th year in chinuch, and over the years, I have had the opportunity to observe many Rebbeim, educational approaches, and methodologies. I have been involved in hiring and developing teachers, shaping the learning environment for students, and ensuring that each child gets the support they need. Through this experience, I have come to deeply appreciate just how well Skokie Yeshiva balanced it all. The way the Yeshiva fostered both personal and academic growth, while maintaining warmth and belief in each student, is something truly special. I have tremendous hakaras hatov for the impact it had on me, and I carry those lessons with me in my own role as an educator today. More Alumni Spotlights Divrei Torah from Alumni and Rebbeim An Impactful Confluence By Rabbi Haim Pollock Parashas Devarim is always read on the Shabbos immediately preceding the Fast of Tisha B'Av. This year, when the fast immediately follows Shabbas Devarim, the connection begs to be investigated. The apparent reason for the juxtaposition of Parashas Devarim to Tisha B'Av is that the theme of Sefer Devarim is one of tochechah – rebuke, and what could be a greater rebuke to the Jewish People than the destruction of our two Batei Mikdash that occurred on Tisha B'Av. Read More Moshe's K'vad Peh – Reminder of a Miracle By Howard Karesh The Midrash on the first pasuk of Sefer Devarim teaches that Moshe, until Matan Torah, was not an "אִישׁ דְבָרִי" – "a man of words" (Shemos 4:10). However, once Moshe merited to receive the Torah from Hashem, his speech impediment was healed, hence our pasuk: "These are the words that Moshe spoke." 9:14 Read More More Divrei Torah Our Alumni Serving in Israel Please continue to have our alumni in your tefillos. Some of our past talmidim are currently in Gaza and up north fighting on behalf of Am Yisrael. Check Out Our Updated Brochures! HTC Beis Midrash and Men's College Brochure HTC Flex College Brochure Sarah Hartman Women's College of Touro Brochure Fasman Yeshiva High School Brochure Yeshivas HaKayitz 2025 Brochure Are You Following HTC? Support HTC  Hebrew Theological College is a member of Touro University and a partner with the Jewish United Fund in serving our community If you wish to update your contact information, please send a quick email here.

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