16 | APRIL 11 • 2024 

tial might not be obvious, is 
an obligation that we all share. 
There’s much to be passionate 
about in supporting our chil-
dren and in supporting their 
educational needs.
” He contin-
ued, “Gary has asked me to tell 
you that the Yeshiva is willing to 
share its expertise with anyone, 
to help improve the lives of chil-
dren throughout our state. Just 
don’t steal our people. They are 
priceless.
”
Yeshiva President Gary 
Torgow said, “It is awe-inspiring 
to see this auditorium filled 
with amazing leaders, educators 
and organizations who have 
gathered to share ideas and 
efforts to make our communi-
ty and our state best-in-class 
in the critical area of special 
education. We recognize that 
all of our children — all of our 
children — are entitled to the 
highest quality of education. It 
is an exemplification of our crit-
ical ideals that we marshal our 
resources to provide that educa-
tion as effectively as possible.
” 
Torgow cited the Talmudic 
reference in Bava Basra (21a) 

to Yehoshua ben Gamla, who 
decreed that every communi-
ty must institute a system to 
educate all of its children. But 
it wasn’t until he established 
a school for orphans that the 
Talmud praised him effusively. 
Why was that effort so praise-
worthy? 
“The answer is that if there 
are segments of our communi-
ty’s children who are not given 
the opportunity to learn, to 

study, to be taught, our entire 
system could be fatally deficient 
and may not survive. Those 
without means, those with lim-
ited ability, those with limited 
mobility, those with limited 
speech or hearing or sight — if 
any of those conditions of our 
children are ignored, neglected 
or bypassed, our chances for 
ultimate societal success are in 
serious jeopardy.
”

THE QUESTION 
OF FUNDING
Ian Santus, M.S., BCBA, LBA, 
COBA, COO and co-founder 
of Akoya Behavioral Health, 
attended the conference. He 
and his business partner, Yitz 
Miller, have been working 
together for about the last six 
months to build their company. 
“We were both interested in 
what the Yeshiva is doing as 
well as connecting with some 

Heartbeat of the Community 
The Yeshiva Beth Yehudah has been educating the 
children of the Detroit Jewish community for over 100 
years. Today, nearly 1,400 boys and girls are receiving 
the foundational Torah and secular education they need 
to thrive. On campuses in Oak Park and Southfield, 
the Yeshiva’s students learn and grow in state of the 
art facilities with devoted and caring teachers and staff 
members to help ensure their success, in school and in 
life. 
 In addition to providing for students in PreK-12, 42 
post-graduate scholars study full time in the Yeshiva’s 
Scholars Kollel, acting as role models for the students 
and preparing to take on educational leadership 
throughout the community. The Yeshiva’s Partners 
Detroit program helps members of the greater Detroit 
Jewish community connect to their own rich heritage. 
Through specialized educational programming for all 
age groups, such as the Partners Tuesday night in-
person study hour, sports leagues, and programming for 
young professionals, moms, dads and families, Partners 
Detroit attracts over 2,000 participants each month. 

continued on page 18

Paul Mersino related 
how his visit to the 
Grosfeld Center 
spurred his efforts 
to support special 
needs children in his 
own community

Lissie Rothstein, Director 
of the Grosfeld Center, 
detailed the efforts 
and successes of the 
Yeshiva’s program.

continued from page 14

OUR COMMUNITY
COVER STORY

