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