The Hebrew Academy of Nassau County is proud to announce the Class of 2023 Valedictorian and Salutatorians. Principal Rabbi Eli Slomnicki proudly remarked, “We take great pride that all three honorees have benefited from a complete K-12 HANC education! Our valedictorian, Adina Lippman, has distinguished herself in her scholarship both in General Studies and Limudei Kodesh, synthesizing passion for 21st century learning with a strong pursuit of the sciences and Torah exemplifying an ideal HANC student. Co-salutatorians Ariela Haftel and Yaron Rahmani are Torah U’madda scholars. Their commitment to Torah lishma along with the pursuit of general knowledge sets a tone of aspiration for their peers.
Adina Lippman, Valedictorian of the Class of 2023, is a testament to hard work and dedication of the highest caliber, fueled not simply by the prospect of achievement, but rather, by a burning desire to discover new things.
In addition to taking the most rigorous courses offered in both General and Limudei Kodesh at HANC, Adina earned an internship at the Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory in conjunction with her full-time senior year academic program. Adina relishes any opportunity to further her passion for research, dedicating two consecutive summers in science research labs, including an internship at the Weizmann Institute in Israel. Adina has the rather unique ability to not only absorb the concepts of molecular biology, but explain it, eloquently, in practical terms to others. She participated in a presentation of research data compiled on the influences of pregnancy hormones on normal mammary tissue versus tumor mammary cells. Adina has expressed that the cancer gene is something that she would like to further explore at the collegiate level.
Adina’s devotion in and out of the classroom has earned her numerous accolades. She is Co-President of the National Honor Society, an AP Scholar with Distinction, a National Merit Commended Student and an Honor Roll student. She was the recipient of the Bausch & Lomb Honorary Science Award for outstanding achievement in science and the recipient of the Nechama Leibowitz Passion for Education Award. She was also a National finalist two years in a row in the Chidon Hatanach Competition. Additionally, Adina is a seasoned poet, winning numerous distinctions in poetry, most notably, earning the National Silver Medal Award in Scholastic Art and Writing, as well as, the Regional Gold Key Award by the Alliance for Young Artists & Writers
In addition to her academic accomplishments, Adina has held leadership positions on many clubs including serving as Co-Captain on HANC’s competitive Mathletes, Torah Bowl, and College Bowl Teams, and Co-Chairperson of the Pre-Med Society. She is the Editor in Chief of the Yearbook and Co-Founder of the Poetry Club. Through it all, Adina maintains a high degree of empathy and devotion to service, volunteering to tutor others in the Peer Tutoring program at HANC and volunteering at the Lawrence School District Meal Distribution during the pandemic.
Adina will begin studying Molecular & Cellular Biology this Fall at Harvard University.
Yaron Rahmani, Co-Salutatorian and recipient of the Nassau County District Attorney SHIELD award, embodies the core qualities of the award: Service, Honesty, Integrity, Excellence, Leadership, and Duty.
Yaron is committed to the service of others as he is deeply involved in his shul, laining each week and leading the infrastructure of the minyan. Yaron is also the President of the HANC Sephardic minyan, humbly tutors his peers in academic subjects and distinguishes himself in Israel advocacy. In recognition of going above and beyond the local community service requirement, Yaron was a yearly recipient of the Community Service Silver award.
A look at Yaron’s transcript is but one piece of evidence to demonstrate his excellence. Yaron constantly challenged himself with the most difficult course offerings in both general and Judaic studies, graduating having taken 10 AP courses and being named an AP Scholar with Distinction in addition to his Honor Roll accomplishments. Yaron also represented his classmates as a Student Senator and was inducted into the National Honor Society where he served as Historian. He is the founder of the Environmental Club and Chairperson of the Israel Action Committee. On a broader scale, Yaron was an Executive Board member for Yeshiva Israel Advocacy Coalition, demonstrating his leadership by promoting programming for hundreds of students across the country. His grace, motivation, and desire to help those in need, sets him apart and makes him a worthy role model.
The final component, duty, is one that Yaron does not shy away from. Eager to pursue a career in the medical field, he has interned at a dental office, shadowed for a cardiologist and worked as a counselor at a local camp. He feels an obligation to be an outstanding contributing member of society.
After spending next year at Yeshivat Shaarei Mevaseret Zion in Israel, Yaron plans to study Biology at the Macaulay Honors College at Queens College.
Co-Salutatorian Ariela Haftel is an exceptional student with a stellar academic record known for her flexible, dynamic approach to the world around her. At her core is creativity, empathy, insight, and maturity bolstered by a desire to be a lifelong learner with a calm and cool approach and refreshing wit.
Ariela is a shining star in her Limudei Kodesh studies, earning nothing less than 100 in every single one of her Judaic courses since freshman year. She was a National Finalist in the Chidon HaTanach competition finishing in the top 5. Ariela was selected for HANC’s newly conceived New Opportunities Program (NOP) Tefillah Initiative for her ability to teach davening and mentor freshmen who are still acclimating. She also consistently contributes meaningful divrei Torah to Midrashei HANC. A true academic, Ariela combines her love of Torah with the most rigorous course load of Honors, Scholars, and AP level courses offered, including the Beit Midrash Program. Her hard work and dedication earned her an induction into the National Honor Society in Spring 2022 and recognition as an AP Scholar with Distinction, as well as, an Honor Roll student. Ariela is also a recipient of the Yeshiva University Torah U’Maddah Book Award.
Ariela is a demonstrated leader and active member of the community. Serving as Captain of the Girls’ Torah Bowl Team, she was an integral force behind advancing the group to the Championship round. Alongside Captain of the Debate Team and Chairperson of the Israel Action Committee, Ariela also served as the Editor in Chief of the Yearbook. She spends a great deal of time giving back to her classmates and the community serving as the Secretary of Logistics at Plainview NCSY.
In her spare time, Ariela can be found at the pool, serving as Captain of the Mid Island Y JCC Dolphins Swim Team for which she has been involved with for the past 8 years and as a lifeguard at various camps.
After a year at Michlelet Mevaseret Yerushalayim, Ariela will be double majoring in Jewish Education and Business in the Honors Program at Yeshiva University.
