Hadar Bet Yaakov Girls High School Opens New Doors For Sephardic Heritage in Queens

• Prev
• 1 of 6
• Next

It was not all that long ago that Hadar Bet Yaakov opened its doors as a new standard in high school education for the Jewish Sephardic girls of Queens. To much acclaim and success, the cutting-edge high school entered new quarters this school year in fully functional facility in Fresh Meadows where Judaism shines bright, and a lifetime of Torah commitment is established.

To understand the mission of HBY we must go on a bit of a journey to its origins. Three years ago, Rabbi Gavriel Robenov had a vision, “It is time in our community to have our own mainstream Bais Yaakov high school for the Sephardi girl.” At the time Rabbi Robenov was learning part time in Yeshivas Chofetz Chaim – RSA, managing a local law firm, and working with the Netzach Outreach organization. Various communal organization reached out to Chofetz Chaim to create a new academically sound and high level Bais Yaakov high school, but one that would be much different from the Bais Yaakov your grandmother may have attended. Under the guidance of the Rosh HaYeshiva, Rav Akiva Grunblatt and Rav Bentzion Chait the mission launched with a thorough exploration into the number of graduates from local frum elementary schools. “With over 200 girls coming out of eighth grade, one school with 60 slots could not cut it for our growing community,” said Rabbi Robenov. “So, we developed a program for the future mothers of klal Yisrael to appreciate and value their Sephardic heritage.”

HBY outgrew its former classrooms at the Hillcrest Jewish Center and breathed fresh life into its new property at the Flushing-Fresh Meadows Jewish Center. Complete with large windows, a GYM, dining hall, lounge, and even an out park, the Jewish Center is delighted to house a school that has much growth on the horizons. Formerly home to a school for three decades, the facility can easily accommodate 300 students.

Soon after the administration brought Mrs. Shoshanna Friedman on-board to lead the girls as the principal. “At Hadar Bet Yaakov, we are creating a community school that is an academically responsible institution,” expressed the educator. “We built our system to provide honors classes, AP classes and offer a rigorous curriculum. It is our intention to maximize and actualize every student’s full creative and intellectual potential.”

Both the Kodesh and general studies curriculum are rich and varied with chumash that emphasizes Rashi and translation skills that facilitate independent learning as well as hands-on hilchot Shabbat (Rabbi Avichai Bensoussan) and Nashim B’Tanach (Mrs. Sandy Gros). General Studies offers Regents college preparatory classes, English classes that are literature and writing based as well as a diverse array of extra-curricular classes such as health, art, drama, and public speaking. Hadar Bet Yaakov is also proud to have the challenging ORT STEM program (Ms. Irit Tzemeh) where girls begin the year by taking apart a computer as they learn its internal components and then proceed onto coding and website design.

This year the high school hosts an array of exemplary instructors with top notch curriculum including Mrs. Shaindel Simes, chumash Teacher and head of Kodesh programming, Mrs. Rachel Rambod as both Navi teacher and mechanechet, Mrs. Port for health class, as well as the notable Rabbi Y.Y. Rubenstein who delivers public speaking and debate classes. Other teachers include Mrs. Adina Weiss (English and biology), Mrs. Esti Warshavchik (algebra and geometry), Ms. Sara Nasirov (global studies). The outstanding kodesh team that includes Mrs. Chaya Swerdloff, Mrs. Rivky Licht and Ms. Chaya Pollak. Mrs. Friedman, principal, and English teacher additionally offers a “life design” class to the ninth graders that teaches executive skills, interpersonal relationships, and the importance of making good self-aware choices to prime every student for success in school and life.

Student extracurricular activities are headed by Ms. Simi Sauer and Ms. Perel Schwartz who coordinate projects like the school’s G.O., Shabbaton, chagigah, and trips. Mrs. Elizeh Hakimi, art teacher, teaches the girls the nuances of drawing. Girls enjoy a weekly GYM program with Ms. Bisi Schottenfeld, have drama with Mrs. Leora Nadtouchy, and every Friday the girls are privy to a special Shabbat Workshops program with weekly speakers, kumzits style singing with Mrs. Sarah Chana Kantor, and a “taste of Shabbat” treat as they leave school.

HBY girls embrace chesed and have paired up with elderly Atria residents doing weekly Zoom calls to shut-ins. “Some of these people haven’t had outside contact for almost a year, “one of the students quipped. “It was really special knowing that we were making such a difference in their lives by talking to them once a week.” The girls also volunteered for Rabbi Avraham Hecht’s Project LEAD by making cookies and packing food boxes for Holocaust victims as well as venturing out to the Masbia Food Pantry to help prepare food packages for clients there.

Girls listen to Radiolab (a science-based podcast) followed by response writing and discussion, have a yearly Holocaust curriculum that includes both fiction and non-fiction writing as well as a research paper, and read current events and science articles as text for response writing that prepares every student for college or seminary. There is no such concept of slipping under the radar at HBY as the teachers hold time precious by providing a week’s notice prior to coursework due dates, regularly follow up with students using management techniques to bring out the best of each girl and acknowledge their achievements. “We are proud of the academic protocols that we have in place where our girls go through that writing process with teachers and work through rough drafts until they are comfortable with their final copies,” said Mrs. Friedman.

HBY has certainly cultivated an authentic Bais Yaakov experience by melding academic excellent with a caring staff in a homey, warm and motivational atmosphere. Such an environment is exemplified by the snacks and hot drinks readily available, hot chocolate for coming early to tefillah, and the lollipops that sit on Mrs. Friedman’s desk.

Very importantly, HBY is a research based educational program proud of its array of educational best practices. “I am always looking for innovative ideas everywhere. There’s lots of research being done in the business world to see what best cultivates strong work ethics and creativity and I love trying things out in a school setting to see what works with students,” noted Mrs. Friedman.

New this year, Rabbi Robenov’s wife, Mrs. Devorah Robenov, joined the administration as the PTA president and took on a daily hands-on role at the school as the always accessible “Mommy,” and the special events coordinator spearheading the recent Charidy fundraiser, the well-attended open house, and the exciting ribbon cutting ceremony.

“I am available for our students in any way necessary. Some girls inquire about beginning of the year friendships, while other reach out to have one-on-one discussions,” noted Mrs. Robenov. “It is our vision to push students beyond their fears and overcome obstacles. On a ropes course trip, the girls overcame their nervous anxieties of height as we walked one another through the steps. One girl was so afraid yet was encouraged to put on the harness and eventually made it through half the course which was a marvelous achievement that allowed this one student to be personally proud of going beyond the unexpected.” For Mrs. Robenov, her worth was showcased at parent orientation when parents impressed upon her the impression she made on their girls. Looking ahead, HBY will also run an after-school sporting program.

Earlier this year, HBY integrated with the community by hosting a mother-daughter paint night for seventh and eighth grade girls to get acquainted with the high school. “The girls enjoyed bonding with their moms as they learned about their potential,” concluded Mrs. Robenov.

By Shabsie Saphirstein