On Sunday evening, December 7, Rabbi Zalman Deutscher, dean and founder of Yeshiva Primary, and Rabbi Avner Yusupov, executive director, greeted attendees at the Netzach Community Center for the Yeshiva Primary class reunion of 2002-2006. The Netzach Center was founded by Yeshiva Primary alumnus Rabbi Yaakov Babachanov.

For many students, Yeshiva Primary, which has been in existence for over 50 years, provides a first exposure to Jewish education and experience. The school offers a science lab program and a literacy program under the direction of Dr. Ann Douglas and this writer. Computer science, art, and gym are also part of the curriculum. Principal Mrs. Judy Klein works to help create a warm school environment that encourages learning and supports students in reaching their potential.

Teachers in limudei kodesh and secular studies are dedicated professionals who aim to bring academic excellence, warmth, and care to their students.

Many alumni pursue professional careers and credit the strong secular education they received at Yeshiva Primary with helping them achieve those goals. Graduates work in a range of fields, including law, nursing, pharmacy, business, accounting, and education. Alumni also spoke about Rabbi Deutscher’s personal care and dedication. Several shared that their children attend yeshivah, or that their families and parents became frum because of their experiences at Yeshiva Primary.

Creative projects, artistic bulletin boards, and classroom discussions were frequently mentioned throughout the evening as part of what alumni remembered from their time in the school. Students learn to feel pride in their Jewish heritage, and many alumni described bringing a love of Yiddishkeit back to their families.

The yeshivah moved to Holliswood in 2003. As noted during the program, most graduates advance to college and professional careers. School leadership shared that 90 percent of graduates move on to study in mainstream yeshivah and Bais Yaakov schools.

Rabbi Deutscher’s philosophy of kiruv was described as twofold: Look at each child as an individual, not as a number; and focus less on immediate concerns about a child’s ruchniyus and more on building a relationship rooted in care. In his view, when a child feels genuinely loved and supported – including in physical well-being – spiritual growth can follow.

The evening began with Rabbi Yusupov sharing that “I always wanted a grand dinner to celebrate the accomplishments of Yeshiva Primary, but Rabbi Deutscher said small class reunions are better for connecting with his students.” He reflected that Rabbi Deutscher founded the school in 1969 with a vision to help students who were not connected to their roots reconnect with Yiddishkeit. “He knocked on many doors. It’s very special for us. I personally owe him hakaras ha’tov for bringing me and my siblings to the school, which made such a tremendous difference in our lives.”

Rabbi Deutscher then shared a story about a baby boy whose parents did not stay for his bris milah, but the mohel davened for the baby to go in the ways of the Avos. Over the years, he tried to contact the parents, but they did not respond.

Twelve years later, Rabbi Deutscher said, the mohel received a call from the boy’s mother, who said she was having a major problem with her son because he only wanted to go to a yeshivah and be religious. She asked the mohel to talk him out of it. The mohel met with the boy and saw that he sincerely wanted to learn and connect to Yiddishkeit. The boy remained adamant and ultimately attended yeshivah.

Rabbi Deutscher asked, “Why does something point north? The neshamah wanted to go in a certain direction.” He added that, in the end, the boy’s parents ultimately received substantial nachas from him. Rabbi Deutscher said that the young man grew into a talmid chacham, influencing many people and becoming responsible for hundreds of children receiving a Jewish education. “This basically is what it’s all about. We live in a wonderful country that is free. Our job is to be concerned about the future of klal Yisrael.”

Next, several alumni spoke and expressed gratitude to Rabbi Deutscher and the yeshivah.

“I was a troublemaker for the first seven grades of my life. My parents finally took me out of yeshivah and put me into public school. My sister was adamant that I should go to yeshivah. She brought me to Yeshiva Primary. Rabbi Deutscher welcomed me with open arms. He taught me about Judaism and paved the way for me to go the Jewish route. After I graduated, Rabbi Deutscher drove me to Cherry Hill four times to yeshivah. He even gave me money to buy items I wanted on the way there. I really appreciate all of that. You made a tremendous impact on me by teaching me about Judaism.”

“I was in public school K-2, and my parents applied for my sister to attend Yeshiva Primary. They wanted me to stay in public school. Rabbi Deutscher said they would accept my sister on the condition that I came, too. As a kid it was a nice environment, but I didn’t appreciate how important it was until later. Then I realized all the chesed teachers, principals, and rabbanim did for me. I feel tremendous hakaras ha’tov to them. I was exposed to a Jewish lifestyle, and that wouldn’t have been possible without Yeshiva Primary. Rabbi Deutscher invested so much effort so that we would follow the proper path of living a Torah lifestyle.”

“I experienced a tremendous amount spiritually from davening and learning. I went to Chofetz Chaim after that and then Yerushalayim. Rabbi Deutscher made sure I made it onto a flight and made sure I had a tutor there. He did so much for all of us, and we all have tremendous hakaras ha’tov. My cousin is a rabbi now. This is just one of many stories.”

“This is like a family for us. It all starts with Rabbi Deutscher’s connection to us. He took me to Darchei Torah and made sure I got in there. We have such a special connection with Rabbi Deutscher, and Mrs. Klein and the rabbanim. You built connections and made sure we connected with each other. Our closest friends are from this yeshivah. It’s the connection the rebbi put into us. Everyone feels this.”

“You gave us beautiful memories that are sweeter than honey. You made it a safe place and gave me friends that money can’t buy. Thank you so much. The best part of my day was davening with you, Rabbi Deutscher.”

“Rabbi Deutscher took a lot of immigrant children from the Bukharian community. He accepted them into the school and charged them low tuition. My best friends are from this school. Thank you for all the memories you gave us.”

“Yeshiva Primary taught me so many beautiful things. I’m so happy I went there. I love real Jewish learning because of this school. It means so much to me.”

Most people do not attend reunions for their elementary school. Yet students of Yeshiva Institute – now renamed Yeshiva Primary – continue to attend reunions enthusiastically.

At the end of the program, alumni received Stone Chumashim with their names and the school logo. The books were sponsored by alumna Rebbetzin Zwibel and her husband, Rabbi Zwibel, in memory of their parents and grandparents.

By Susie Garber