This Week
Yeshivat Akiva
honors its past,
looks to the
future.
DIANA LIEBERMAN
Staff Writer
F
riends and supporters of
Yeshivat Akiva had a lot to
celebrate at this year's annual
dinner on behalf of the
Southfield Orthodox day school.
The 36-year-old school moved earli-
er this year to a newly renovated build-
ing, provided rent-free by the United
Jewish Foundation of Metropolitan
Detroit. And it recently hired two
enthusiastic new administrators.
About 500 friends and supporters
attended the May 7 dinner at
Congregation B'nai Moshe in West
Bloomfield.
"It was quite a significant event in
our community," said Eli Halpern,
co-chair of the dinner with his wife
Julie. "It was a celebration not only of
our new building, but of the involve-
ment of the Jewish Federation [of -
Metropolitan Detroit] and the Jewish
Foundation."
Presented with special awards at the
dinner were Fayga Dombey, who was
among Akiva's founders, and Dr.
Richard Krugel, chair of Federation's
5/19
2000
14
Education Division and chair of the
planning and allocations steering com-
mittee. Dr. Krugel was awarded the
Akiva Community Chesed Award,
based on his devotion to Jewish educa-
tion.
"What makes Dr. Krugel so
remarkable is whatever kind of Jewish
education it is, he will give it his sup-
port — all aspects, all branches,"
Halpern said.
Dombey, who received the
Founders Award, has been involved in
the school continuously since its
inception in 1964, serving on its edu-
cation committee, executive commit-
tee and board of directors.
"To you, Fayga, and the parents of
Akiva, go our heartfelt thanks for
your commitment to Jewish education
and our mazel tov for your finest
achievement — your children," said
Federation President Penny
Blumenstein.
"The beautiful new school in which
your youngsters learn could not have
happened without leadership such as
Fayga's and the wholehearted dedica-
tion each of you has brought to .this
enterprise," Blumenstein added. ❑
Clockwise from left:
David Do. mbg, husband of award-winner Fayga Dombey, cuts into a chalk.
Akiva graduate Chanan Posner presents the Founders Award to Fayga Dombey.
Dr. Richard Krugel, left, receives the Akiva Community Chesed Award from school
president Michael Greenbaum.
New this year: a performance by the Gedalya Mitchell Kol Haneshama Youth Choir,
an honors choir dedicated to alumnus Dr. Grant Mitchell.
PRINCIPALLY SPEAKING
from page 12
the state of Israel, and Rabbi Tsaidi
has brought the ruach (spirit) of Israel
wherever he's worked.
Like at Yeshivat Akiva, his current
school in Montreal employs Kollel
Mitzion teachers (young Israeli cou-
ples who spend several years teaching
in the diaspora). In addition, Rabbi
Tsaidi hopes to begin a program with
Sherut L'umi, Israel's national volun-
teer service for religious girls.
Volunteers from the program work as
teacher aides in the Montreal school.
Another program the rabbi would
like to import involves spending an
entire year, in either ninth or tenth
grade, studying all aspects of the state
of Israel. This would be followed by a
six- to eight-week tour.
Both new administrators have been
putting in extra time at the school
before their contracts begin.
"Education is not an easy task,"
Rabbi Tsaidi said. "It is a big challenge
in our lives. We need God's help and
the cooperation of parents and stu-
dents."
Domstein said he was a little awed
by the dedication of the students in
handling a dual curriculum. "The
challenge is to meet their religious
needs and what they need to go to
college," he said. "I intend to give 110
percent." ❑