34 | APRIL 14 • 2022 

T

he Detroit Public 
Schools Foundation has 
launched the Pernick 
Prize, an annual merit-based 
award of $15,000 each year 
for two Detroit Public Schools 
Community District (DPSCD) 
students in mathematics and 
medicine. 
Endowed by former DPS 
Foundation board member and 
pathologist Dr. Nat Pernick, 
M.D., the hope is to motivate 
and inspire DPSCD students 
to excel and raise the stature 

of DPSCD in these important 
fields while recognizing excep-
tional performances. 
Pernick, an ardent supporter 
and believer in the power of 
mathematics and science edu-
cation, said students of Detroit’s 
schools deserve financial sup-
port for both their educational 
goals and career pursuits. 
Pernick previously set up 
a scholarship program for 
DPSCD students which is 
still ongoing, Detroit College 
Promise, and hopes the Pernick 

Prize can complement it.
“I think it’s important to 
inspire and motivate students to 
be the best they can be,
” Pernick 
said. “I’m hoping this is just 
another grain of sand on the 
pile of improving education in 
Detroit.
”
The Pernick Prize Selection 
Committee includes experts 
in mathematics and medicine 
along with DPSCD and DPS 
Foundation staff. Awards will be 
presented during the inaugural 
annual ceremony on April 29.

“Dr. Pernick’s generosity and 
this unique opportunity for 
students speak to his commit-
ment by contributing to a rich 
educational experience and 
leveling the playing field,
” said 
Pamela J. Moore, president and 
CEO of the DPS Foundation 
via press release. “We’re excited 
to showcase the phenomenal 
achievements of our students 
and to reward them as they 
pursue their dreams.
”
Pernick said the award helps 
the winning students directly 
in paying for college and other 
educational expenses.
“I’m hoping other students 
will spend more time and 
focus in these areas, as well as 
education in general,
” he said. 
“
And another motivating fac-
tor, maybe some schools will 
improve their programs, maybe 
we’ll have a math club, science 

OUR COMMUNITY

Awards will be presented during the 
inaugural annual ceremony on April 29.

Dr. Nat Pernick Endows 
Award for Detroit Students

DANNY SCHWARTZ STAFF WRITER

T

he Frankel Jewish 
Academy team for this 
year’s Maimonides 
Moot Court Competition 
earned first place among 
the seven teams competing 
on April 3 in the Cardozo 

Division of the MMCC 
Virtual Competition. 
This year, participating 
students were tasked with 
answering the question: Is 
online shaming permissible 
for a greater cause? 

The students prepared both 
written and oral presentations 
by meeting weekly, since the 
beginning of the school year, 
and did additional preparation 
outside of school. Their 
response to the question was 
based on their study and 
analysis of traditional Jewish 
texts, including the Bible and 
Talmud, and commentaries 
spanning 2,000 years.

The FJA team participated 
in the Cardozo Division, in 
which teams are provided 
the Jewish sources, from 
which they choose which 
ones to include in their 
presentations. Some schools/
teams participated in an 
in-person competition, held 
near Baltimore on March 27. 
The FJA competed against 
six other teams — two from 
Israel, and four separate teams 
from a Jewish school in San 
Diego. 
Team members included 
Evan Weitzman ’23 (captain), 
Samantha Caminker ’24, Eliyah 
Fradkin ’24, and Esti Klein 
’24 with Rabbi Elliot Pachter 
as the team advisor. All team 
members participated last year, 
and Evan Weitzman is now 
a three-year MMCC veteran. 
They have learned a lot from 
their past experiences, and 
their hard work paid off this 
year.

FJA

Teams from Frankel Jewish Academy 
won awards in two competitions.

Mazel Tov, FJA Students

The team who delivered the third-
place presentation at the Technion 
Robotraffic competition.

