Providence Hebrew Day School celebrates 75th anniversary

PROVIDENCE – Providence Hebrew Day School/New England Academy of Torah held its 75th-year anniversary celebration on Nov. 21 at the Alliance’s Dwares Jewish Community Center. “It’s rare to find so many members of staff remaining in one school for so long. And their impact on students has been extraordinary,” said Rabbi Peretz Scheinerman, the dean.

PHDS principal Miriam Esther Weiner, who has worked with the staff for 25-plus years, was among the honorees. Weiner is a well-known board member for the Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island and an advocate for Jewish education in the state.

Rabbi Abraham Jakubowicz made a moving speech as he accepted the awards on behalf of himself and the eight other honorees.   Rabbi J., as he is affectionately known, said that he and his wife – who was also honored – have seen tremendous growth in the local Jewish community and that living in Providence has helped them raise a family rooted in Jewish traditions.

Alumni from as far away as Miami and Orlando, Florida, flew in to express their deep hakoras hatov, or gratitude, to the staff at New England Academy of Torah, which they said gave them an “education that will last a lifetime.” They especially pointed to Marsha Gibber and Miriam Lipson, who were both honored at the event, as exceptional role models and teachers.

Also honored were Rabbi Shmuel Taitelbaum, an alumnus of the New England Rabbinical College; Beth Berman and Susan Sugarman, for their devoted service to the General Studies department; and master teacher Shiffy Yudkowsky, daughter of Rabbi and Mrs. Jakubowicz.

Today’s Providence Hebrew Day School/New England Academy of Torah builds on the shoulders of Tom Perlman and Malcolm Bromberg, who were major supporters of the school for many years, as well as many other founders, builders and lay leaders of the school for the past 75 years.

PHDS is now the hub of Torah for the local Orthodox community and hosts Congregation Sha’arei Tefilla, a thriving shul; the Providence Community Kollel, under the leadership of Rabbi Raphael Schochet; and Project Shoresh, an outreach agency under the direction of Rabbis Naftali and Noach Karp, brothers who both married Jakubowicz daughters.

The 75th-year anniversary celebration was chaired by Tzippy Scheinerman and her committee, whose artistic flair for decor, table setup and food design is well known in Providence.

Providence Hebrew Day School was founded in 1946 with a handful of students. The school now offers a comprehensive program in all subject areas, including STEM, English, social studies, Judaic Studies and Hebrew language.

For more information about PHDS/NEAT, contact Rabbi Peretz Scheinerman, dean, at pscheinerman@phdschool.org or 401-490-5150.

Submitted by Providence Hebrew Day School