400
This Week
Striving To Improve
New leadership works to provide a basis for growth at Yeshivat Akiva.
DIANA LIEBERMAN
Staff Writer
abbi Yigal Tsaidi, who took over as edu-
cational director of Yeshivat Akiva last
August, speaks enthusiastically about
enhancing the curriculum and reputa-
tion of the modern Orthodox day school.
"I think we are on the map right now," says Rabbi
Tsaidi, who has led Hebrew day schools in Montreal
and Milwaukee. "I wasn't here in the past, but I get
the impression that people did not recognize Akiva
as an excellent school w . i'l a good reputation."
Unlike Rabbi Tsaidi, Dr. Charles Domstein, secu-
lar studies director at the Southfield school, has
spent his life in the Detroit area, including 30 years
as a teacher and administrator in the Oak Park
School District.
"When I was in the Oak Park schools, Akiva was
thought of as a stepsister to the Yeshiva [Beth
Yehudah] and Hillel [Day School of Metropolitan
Detroit]," he says. "We are - ow taking a more
R
prominent role. We are certainly the equal of any
day school in metropolitan Detroit."
So far, Domstein has written curricula for each
class at Akiva, which he joined last summer. Dr.
Rodger Gach of the Oak Park-based Michigan Jewish
Institute has been hired full time to teach science and
computers for next year; he has a master's degree in
computer science and a doctorate in physics. The
school will add Spanish and drama to its curriculum
as well as a half- or full-day learning center.
Thanks to a contribution from the Edward Meer
family of Bloomfield Hills, funds are in place for a
new gym; the school hopes it will open by Purim.
The gym will be built off the western side of the
building, with a lobby connecting to the existing
structure and an exit into the parking lot.
A pet project for Rabbi Tsaidi is expanding Akiva's
music program from singing and chorus to what he
calls music and musicianship.
"We are going to apply for a grant to teach every
child an instrument," he says. "My dream is that every-
body who graduates will have basic skills in music."
Next year, Akiva will offer the mathematics, sci-
ence and language arts sections of the MEAP
(Michigan Educational Assessment Program) tests,
along with optional MEAP study classes.
Michigan does not require any students, in public
or private schools, to take MEAP tests. However,
those who receive grades of -1 or 2 on the high
school tests will receive a scholarship of $2,500 if
they attend an in-state college and $1,000 if they go
the college out of state.
"I'm a little prejudiced," Domstein says. "I believe
all our students will pass."
George Hanus, president of the Chicago-based
National Jewish Day School Scholarship Committee,
says there is no nationally recognized test for Jewish day
schools. And he says instituting one would be a bad idea.
"We have so many diffeiences in theological focus
that adding another layer of required evaluation
would just polarize the community more," Hanus
says. "We should allow the parents at every local
school to decide."
Locally, Hillel Day School of Metropolitan
Daughters Of The Commandment
Revach, 26, is among the teachers in
the Kollel Torah MiTzion program.
Now completing its second year at
Akiva and the community, the pro-
gram brings young Orthodox Jewish
teachers and their families from Israel.
Revach and her husband, Rabbi Yossi
Revach, come from Ofra, near Jerusalem.
level than men," she said.
They have two children, ages 41/2 and
"We can understand things above the
2, and are expecting a third child.
surface. We don't need to put on t011in
Kollel Torah MiTzion teachers work
every 10 minutes to remind us that
with
adult students and families in -
HaShem is there."
Oak
Park
as well as at Akiva.
The youngest age mentioned in the
"They've
been a real positive role
Bible for a man is 13. So that is the age
model
for
our
students," said Akiva Vice
when men become bar mitzvah, Revach
explained. However, there is no implied President Dr. Phillip Goldmeier.
"They've lived in Israel, they've been in
age for women to reach maturity.
the army, they are
dynamic and dedicated."
Far left..
The b'not mitzvah
For her
curriculum established
independent
this year emphasized the
study, Netta
importance of becoming
Schechet
a woman, including a
learned about
woman's unique respon-
the biblical
sibilities, the most
matriarch
important mitzvot for
Sarah.
women and the mean-
ing of modesty. Each
Left.
student also did inde-
Bat mitzvah
pendent study about an
Leora Flatt with
important woman in
a montage of
the Bible.
family photos.
Yeshivat Akiva introduces its first b'not mitzvah class.
DIANA LIEBERMAN
Staff Writer
n a year of firsts ' )r Southfield-
based Yeshivat Akiva, it took
on a role not usually assumed
by Orthodox Jewish day
schools — holding a group b'not
mitzvah class and ceremony.
The optional program, held after
school, attracted 11 Akiva sixth-graders
and one girl who attends Berkshire
Middle School in Beverly Hills. It con-
sisted of 12 classes, followed on May
10 by a presentation and party.
The ceremony included singing,
candle lighting and presentations by
each girl about a biblical figure.
For some of the girls, it was the only
bat mitzvah they would have. Others
celebrated their coming of age with a
more traditional ceremony, conducting
a portion of the morning Shabbat serv-
ice at their synagogue, holding a
Kiddush or renting the Akiva sanctuary
for a Friday night service.
6/22
2001
14
All the girls were age 12, or will be soon.
The traditional age for Jewish boys
to become b'nai mitzvah is 13.
Chamutal Revach, teacher of the
b'not mitzvah curriculum at Akiva,
which is modern Orthodox, said
women are ready to assume their posi-
tions in the Jewish community at an
earlier age than men. "Women are
more mature. Their soul is on a higher