Be’er Hagolah Institutes is thrilled to announce a major development in the academic structure of its boys’ department.
Beginning with the 2023-2024 school year, the boys’ middle school and high school will be divided into two distinct divisions, Judaic studies and Secular studies, and will undergo an expansion of its leadership team.
For the last ten years, the entire boys’ department had been led by well-known educator Rabbi Mordechai Fishman. Since taking the helm in 2013, Rabbi Fishman has expertly shepherded the department to great heights. Now, Rabbi Fishman has decided to accept a position as Head of School in a yeshiva in Staten Island. We will miss Rabbi Fishman and wish him success in everything he does.
The new Judaic Studies Principal will be Rabbi Michoel Grunhut. Rabbi Grunhut comes to the new position with nine years of experience as a beloved rebbi in Be’er Hagolah. In addition, for the last three years, Rabbi Grunhut has served as the Be’er Hagolah alumni coordinator. He has demonstrated tremendous talent in guiding his students through a successful transition from their high school years into college and professional life.
Rabbi Grunhut’s students know him as a caring, loving, and warm rebbi who gives them direction and discipline in a way that they appreciate - even as teenagers. His understanding and empathy provide them an opportunity to discover themselves and grow as Jews while deciding on career choices and reaching their goals successfully.
The new Secular Studies principal will be Rabbi Yehuda Waxman, originally of Great Britain. Rabbi Waxman has a Masters degree in education and was previously the principal in the prestigious King David School in the United Kingdom. Rabbi Waxman brings along his 25 years of experience as an educator and administrator, having written and built curricula which he implemented successfully on many academic levels.
Rabbi Mordechai German, the Dean of Be’er Hagolah, said that this development marks the beginning of a new era in the academic growth of Be’er Hagolah. “With the creation of separate Judaic and Secular Studies departments we are poised to increase our expertise and focus on every level. Our goal as a school is to prepare our students for a life of excellence both as a Jew and a professional. Our dedicated administration will bring their strong work ethic to continue building a system which helps each and every student thrive. Through innovation, expertise, and curriculum tracking, coupled with their warmth and dedication, our students will graduate college-ready from Be’er Hagolah while enthusiastically committed to lifelong growth as Jews.
Board member Mr. Edward Farbenblum said, “We are grateful for the consistent growth of Be’er Hagolah these last eight years. It is due to our confidence in Rabbi Mordechai German and the staff working under him, that we are sure we can look forward to continuous growth. Rabbi German’s more than 20 years’ experience with a focus on educating high school age boys, his expertise and leadership, his intellect, warmth, hard work, and optimism will carry our beloved Be’er Hagolah to new heights.”
