NW Yeshiva graduates 23

Northwest Yeshiva High School (NYHS) celebrated its 33rd graduation ceremony on June 11 at the Sephardic Bikur Holim Synagogue in Seward Park, Seattle. A total of 23 students graduated from NYHS, five of whom live on the Island: Reena Cohen, Shana Cohen, twins Adam and Daniele Goldberg, and Rachel Weinstein.

“They’re just a wonderful group of students,” said the head of the school, Rabbi Bernie Fox. “They combine a keen interest in learning with the ambition to better themselves.”

“You often hear people bemoaning what’s happened to today’s youth. They’ve not met these young and women,” he added. “They’re an admirable group.”

During the ceremony, Fox spoke individually about each graduate, adding a personal touch to the event. Members of the NYHS School Board and leaders in the Jewish community also congratulated the class.

“The ceremony is unique because there are only 23 of us, which makes it a lot more personal and really meaningful,” said graduate Rachel Weinstein. “You really get a sense of who everyone is as they’re graduating.”

In addition to being a member of the Class of 2008, Weinstein was honored as the Judaic class valedictorian.

“We’re incredibly proud of Rachel,” her mother, Kim, said. “She’s balanced her school and everything else in life beautifully. She is tremendously dedicated to school, friends, the Torah and her Synagogue commitments.”

Before enrolling at NYHS, Rachel Weinstein attended Islander Middle School and Island Park Elementary.

A week prior to graduation, NYHS honored a number of students — freshmen through seniors — in its annual Merit Awards Ceremony. The following Islanders received 2008 merit awards: Grant Blumenstin, history and government; Daniele Goldberg, community service; Leslie Golden, science; Josh Etsekson, Spanish language; Kayla Krauthamer, oral Jewish law; Avraham Young, Talmud; and Reena Cohen, Chesed (kindness).

Northwest Yeshiva High School is a private high school that serves the greater Seattle Jewish community.