Community Magazine May 2013

B et Yaakov of the Jersey Shore (BYJS) has a magnificent new home, a majestic brick building situated atop acres of grassy terrain at 200 Wall Street in the beautiful town of West Long Branch, New Jersey, right in the heart of the Jersey Shore community. The purchase, facilitated by a group of generous, dedicated donors, enables the school – the only all-girls school on the Jersey Shore serving students from preschool through high school – to accommodate its student body of over 220 community girls, so it can continue its vital work of preparing the young women of today to become the wives, mothers and leaders of tomorrow. The main building and high school are dedicated by Mr. Jimmy Khezrie in memory of his mother, Mrs. Selli Khezrie a”h, whom he describes as a true “ eshet hayil ” who embodied the ideals that are taught at Bet Yaakov. The elementary school has been named the Rachel Dwek Elementary School, dedicated byMr. andMrs. Joey and Terri Dwek, who have been a part of the school since its inception, in memory of their daughter, Rachel a”h , who passed away at a young age and who represented theTorah values and character that have become synonymous with Bet Yaakov. The Perfect Setting for a Perfect Education The large, roomy building is able to comfortably house a preschool, elementary school and high school, fully equipped with 25 bright, spacious classrooms featuring the finest amenities, and with walls displaying age-appropriate and current educational materials and student work. Students at BYJS begin their day in the beautiful Tefillah Room, reciting the holy words of our prayers accompanied by the familiar Sephardic tunes that are a centerpiece of Sephardic tradition. The state-of-the-art gym provides the perfect setting for the school’s rigorous physical education and athletic program, and for recess fun, offering a professional basketball court and plenty of room for other sports and games. At gym the girls not only learn how to play sports, but also learn how to play fair, include others and respect their peers, and is thus a crucial means of refining midot and interpersonal skills. The gym also features a large stage and perfect acoustics for dramatic performances, in which students are given the opportunity to showcase and hone their creative talents. The morning Judaic Studies classes are followed by a nutritious lunch served in a large, comfortable lunchroom, after which the students resume their studies in their General Studies classes. At BYJS’hi tech computer lab, students become literate in programs such as Microsoft Word and Microsoft Excel and learn the ins and outs of the most up-to-date technology. The science lab provides a place for practical science learning, and gives students and teachers the forum to test scientific hypotheses by way of hands-on experiments. The library is brimming with thousands of books, and students are able to borrow books regularly for both schoolwork and leisurely reading. The school’s resource room is staffed by an expert team of trained professionals, who are committed to equipping students with the necessary tools for success in specific academic areas, according to It was far more than a purchase of property. It was an acquisition that embodies the rapid growth of the Sephardic community of the Jersey Shore, and represents a major step toward securing the future of Sephardic heritage in the region. FRANCES HADDAD PHOTOS BY MORRIS ANTEBI 42 Community magazine