The Central Open House on Sunday, November 7, was a smashing success! The crowd streamed into the building to the greetings of excited student ambassadors and faculty. The day began with breakfast and a chance to mingle with other prospective families, as well as teachers and administration. The main program began with a beautiful d’var Torah from our Mashgiach Ruchani, Rabbi Joshua Goller, who then introduced his chavrusa, senior Aliza Beer of White Plains, New York.
Aliza spoke about the “homeyness” of Central, and how welcome she felt from the minute she stepped into the building as a freshman. She listed many of the amazing opportunities for learning and chesed provided to her by Central, saying “recently, I even had the chance to go with Ms. Rutner to Yeshiva University to meet the national security adviser of Bahrain and the Saudi Arabian head of the World Muslim League. The opportunities for me beyond the classroom at Central and the YU community have been endless.” Head of School Ms. Bracha Rutner illustrated what a typical day at Central looks like, taking the audience through the school building, feeling the buzz and hearing the laughter and learning taking place in every classroom, with every program, and every extracurricular activity. Following speeches from Lois Rifkin, a sophomore from Great Neck, and Central alum and Associate Principal Ms. Leah Moskovich, prospective students and their parents split up for special programming.
Parents were treated to presentations by various departments and teachers, such as Mrs. Ruth Fried, head of the science department, and Rabbi Elie Weissman, Judaic Studies Coordinator. They were informed about academics, student life, the ruchniyus in the building, the meaning of “Torah U’Madda,” and the guidance and support at Central, and they heard from a panel of current parents. Parents then had a tour of the building and culminated with a yummy lunch at the curriculum fair.
Meanwhile, students went on a tour of the building, led by our amazing student ambassadors, where they stopped into six different classes. After meeting some of our amazing teachers, students entered the Central Playhouse for a special student life performance! Through a fun game of Family Feud, prospective students learned about all that we offer in Central, and their morning concluded with a stop in our student life tent, where they met with club heads, ate a delicious lunch, and filled up their jars at Central’s Candy Bar.
Leah Moskovich noted after Sunday that “the best part of the day was meeting so many excited new families, greeting and welcoming back current Central families, and watching our students shine as they spoke about their high school experience. The energy in the building was awesome.” We look forward to starting our visit days this week! Apply today at www.yuhsg.org/apply.
