“We are their miracle,” said Rabbi Martin Schloss, director of the division of school services for the Board of Jewish Education of Greater New York and an alumnus of the school. “Look at this room. Graduates of the Yeshiva make a difference in the world.”
Yeshiva Founder Honored
WORCESTER, MA — Rabbi Hershel Fogelman and his wife, Rochele, who improbably began an Orthodox Jewish school here 65 years ago that has grown into a Hasidic education center for New England, were honored last night by several hundred school alumni, family and friends with a dinner and memories at the Crowne Plaza Hotel.
“We are their miracle,” said Rabbi Martin Schloss, director of the division of school services for the Board of Jewish Education of Greater New York and an alumnus of the school. “Look at this room. Graduates of the Yeshiva make a difference in the world.”
The Fogelmans came to Worcester from Brooklyn in 1942 to spread the Lubavitch movement of Hasidic Judaism, especially the teachings of the late Rabbi Menachem Mendell Schneerson, who became the group’s beloved Rebbe or leader, and they opened the school four years later.
After several moves, the school, which includes preschool, kindergarten and elementary classes, and the Yeshiva Academy of Central Massachusetts, all on Newton Avenue, and the Bais Chana High School for Girls on nearby Midland Street, has grown to 120 students and 28 faculty members.
Last year the academy was accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges.
Former students remembered the Fogelmans’ tireless dedication to their schooling and their lives.
Lifshy Shuchat, came to the school from Brooklyn after her father died of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or Lou Gerhig’s disease, in 2005. He was 46; she was 14 and emotionally devastated.
“Everything fell apart the day my father died,” she said. “My friends’ lives went on, but mine had stopped.”
On the recommendation of a teacher, Ms. Shuchat was sent to the Fogelmans.
“The Yeshiva community made me whole again,” she said, “piece by piece.”
She thanked Rabbi Fogelman “for believing in me when I didn’t believe in myself.”
Dr. Chaima Levine, a cardiologist in Far Rockaway, N.Y., who attended the school from 1960 to 1972, said the secular education was as good as would have received anywhere.
“It prepared me very well for the challenges of my later studies,” he said, “and the religious studies prepared me very well for all the other challenges.”
Deborah Goldsmith of Worcester, a student at the school from 1959 to 1964, said Rabbi Fogelman helped her get over writer’s block and get on with a doctoral dissertation that eventually led to a Ph.D. in education psychiatry.
“He didn’t really know much about the topic, but he was able to get me back on track so I could finish it,” said Ms. Goldsmith, who also had fond memories of the school’s camp on Lake Quinsigamond, where she was both camper and counselor.
Other faculty were recalled by their former students. Jon Carbonneau of Charlton, who attended the school from 1968 to 1978, beginning in the preschool, said one of his teachers — Rabbi Yossi Gordon — would start each class with a rendition of Elvis Presley’s hit “Return to Sender” for him, because the Hebrew translation of his name was “sender.”
“It was not easy to be Orthodox in the 1950s,” Rabbi Schloss said.
“If you didn’t come on Saturday, you were asked not to come on Sunday or Monday.”
Mrs. Fogelman said it was a privilege to have helped her hard-working husband, who serves as the rabbi of Tifereth Israel Sons of Jacob Synagogue.
“And I like to nudge him a little,” she said.
alum
any pics webby?
Advancing studies in Eretz Yisroel
B”H
Jerusalem
Dear Rabbi and Rebbitzin Fogelman,
Thank you for everything you’ve done for Worcester in general and my family in particular.
May you have much nachas and simcha from our community for many healthy years to come!
Mazel Tov, Mazel Tov !
Yeshivah Graduate.
Yeshiva Alumni
Dear Rabbi & Rebbitzin Fogelman
Mazel Tov on this special occasion may you have much nachas from all of your students around the world continue to fulfill your shlichus until the coming of moshiach
BCH
The dinner was really great – very unusual for such events. Mazal tov! 65 more years!
A Clarkie 1980 now a member of the Anash
B"H
Dear Rabbi and Mrs. Fogelman,
Thank you for opening your hearts and your community to me as a student – a pre- BT at the time. Your dedication to the Clarkies has made all the difference in my life. On behalf of my family- thank you for changing all of our lives forever.
Sincerely,
A Clarkie 1980 now a member of the Anash
bias chana student
go worcester!
a student of bais chana
go lifshy shuchat!!
yeshiva alumny 1987
i went to the dinner and it was absolutely amazing, the speakers! the entertainmment! and ofcourse the food
yasher koyech to the staff!!!
A Neshoma Kindled by the Fogelmans
Mazel Tov Mazel Tov
I have no words to properly describe the dedication of the Rabbi & Rebbitin Fogelman & their wonderful family i wish them all much successin theri shlichus
a local worcterite
We love all the Fogelmans and have known them for years. May they have continued succsess and continue to bring nachas to the Rebbe
Rabbi Mutti and Ahuva when are you going to move here already?!!
bais chana student
LIFSHY YOU ROCKEDD!!!!
alumny 1969
i heard it was sponserd by GT Catering. the best in centerl mass.
gary and tamy you Roxxxxxxxxxxx
A Proud BCHS -03 Alumni
Mazel Tov, Mazel Tov!
Looking forward to many more years of our wonderful community building and growing ad bli dai!