Northwest Yeshiva High School celebrates 50 years

School started in Seattle and has been on MI since 1992.

Rabbi Yehuda Gabay was thrilled to be standing at the front of the packed Island Synagogue and addressing the attendees at the Northwest Yeshiva High School (NYHS) 50th Anniversary Gala Dinner on the evening of Dec. 8.

The head of school on Mercer Island was all smiles as he spread his arms wide and made eye contact with those at the front tables and people all the way to the back of the room.

“We are at the highest of the highs and you should be very proud of yourselves and celebrate this moment,” said Gabay after he told the story of Jacob and the ladder leading to Heaven and how he learned to help grow the Jewish people.

Added school President Rachel Rosenfeld after proudly noting that NYHS’s enrollment has grown by 55 percent over the past two years: “This is a testament to the strength and vibrancy of our school community and our community at large.”

Rosenfeld thanked the attendees for joining together to honor and support NYHS on its milestone occasion and extended “heartfelt gratitude” to the Samis Foundation and JZ Greenberg Foundation and their trustees for supporting the school.

Former NYHS head of school Rabbi Bernie Fox — who held that position for 33 years before retiring in 2016 — attended the gala and gave the Reporter a rundown of the school’s history.

Founded in 1974 at the Seattle Hebrew Academy by the late Rabbi Daniel Rosenthal, the impetus for launching NYHS was so that students could continue their Jewish education at a high school level. NYHS moved to its Island location in 1992, and is the only accredited Jewish high school to offer dual curriculum in the Northwest. Presently, 65 students are enrolled at the school.

“I think one of the most important things I learned is that sometimes we get focused on the amount of kids that we enroll and that we graduate. But if we keep in mind that each one is a gem, then we realize the value of what we’re doing even if we’re not like this humongous school,” said Fox, who is currently a volunteer teacher at NYHS. He said that NYHS began with about 30-something students and reached about 130 at its high point. More than 715 students have graduated from NYHS during its existence, according to the school.

NYHS senior Elianna Rothstein delivered a Dvar Torah speech at the gala. In her talking points, she discussed the gala’s theme of building a legacy while relating it to Judaism and how forefathers Abraham, Isaiah and Jacob set the legacy for the Jewish people, she said.

Before the gala, Rothstein told the Reporter about her memorable NYHS experiences: “Something really special about it that I’m going to miss as I move onto college is the very tight-knit community and it feels like a family. I know every single person at the school.”

Through her speech, Rothstein feels like she’s giving back to the school by addressing its legacy and history at the event that took a lot of work to put together.

Another NYHS senior Leah Gonzalez echoed Rothstein’s sentiments about the school’s familial atmosphere, adding: “I’m excited to take what I’ve learned here about responsibility, respect, growth, courage — everything — and take it on my journey and future endeavors in college and everything.”

Jack Almo represented NYHS’s first Island location graduating class of 1996 at the gala.

“I loved my experience at NYHS. I had amazing teachers, which really drove the experience,” said Almo, who name-dropped influential instructors Rabbi Fox, Brenda Cathcart and Bill Hesse. “I just thought that the level of care that the teachers gave was very impactful.”

NYHS’s mission statement posted on its website reads: “Through a dynamic college preparatory and Judaic studies program, NYHS prepares promising Jewish students from diverse backgrounds and abilities to become lifelong learners and responsible leaders, committed to their communities, traditional Torah values, and the State of Israel.”

Northwest Yeshiva High School President Rachel Rosenfeld chats with an attendee at the gala. Andy Nystrom/ staff photo

Northwest Yeshiva High School President Rachel Rosenfeld chats with an attendee at the gala. Andy Nystrom/ staff photo

Northwest Yeshiva High School senior Elianna Rothstein delivers her Dvar Torah speech at the gala. Andy Nystrom/ staff photo

Northwest Yeshiva High School senior Elianna Rothstein delivers her Dvar Torah speech at the gala. Andy Nystrom/ staff photo

Northwest Yeshiva High School Head of School Rabbi Yehuda Gabay, left, speaks with Rabbi Chaim Rivkin at the gala. Andy Nystrom/ staff photo

Northwest Yeshiva High School Head of School Rabbi Yehuda Gabay, left, speaks with Rabbi Chaim Rivkin at the gala. Andy Nystrom/ staff photo