Honorees

Mr. and Mrs. Adam Goller stand out as exceptional parents who personify a special combination of refinement and commitment to growth in ruchniyus, along with a single-minded focus on the hatzlachah of their children. Their focus is on instilling the Torah valuesthey hold so dear in their children.

A native of West Hempstead, Adam is carrying forth the legacy of his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Irving and Janice Goller, whose hands-on involvement in the Young Israel of West Hempstead and in every aspect of their children’s lives laid the groundwork for their son’s future goals. Adam was fortunate to have forged a close connection during his formative years with Rabbi Yehuda Kelemer, zt”l, the Rav of the Young Israel, as well as with, ybl”c,Rabbi Shmuel Zucker, shlita, a rebbe from Ohr Yerushalayim, which he attended following his graduation from high school. A financial executive by profession, Adam’s primary focus in life is limud Torah and tefillah,climbing rung by rung up the ladder in ruchniyus. His wife Yael is a true partner with him in his aspirations.

Yael’s parents, Dr. Keith and Mrs. Eva Staiman, are mainstays of the Five Towns community; their rock-solid commitment to tefillah b’tzibbur and respect for Torah and their rebbeim led them to choose this positive environment in which to raise their children. Dr. Staiman is a beloved pediatrician; as a pediatric nurse practitioner, Yael has enjoyed working alongside her father for almost twenty years. Their patients at East Rockaway Pediatrics value their expert and compassionate care.

Adam and Yael are longtime mispallelimof Yeshiva Gedolah of the Five Towns. They played a central role in facilitating its growthand building its current, beautiful edifice. Yael is a founding member of the yeshiva’s Nshei, and Adam was president of the yeshiva for ten years. Their involvement is a manifestation of their chashivus for tefillah, something both Adam and Yael absorbed in their childhood homes, aswell as their desire to surround themselves with likeminded bnei Torah. They are also involved in a number of other causes, taking active roles, both formal and informal, in their children’s schools, Darchei Torah and Bnos Bais Yaakov.

While their accomplishments on behalf of the community are impressive, the Gollers embody themiddah of hatznea leches, devoting time and resources to the klal and the individual in a most modest and unpretentious manner. This, along with their constant trajectory toward growth in all areas of avodas Hashem, isthe sterling example they set for their children. It is no wonder, then, that they have chosen Darchei to partner with them in the chinuch of their children. They appreciate that the yeshiva is constantly driven to develop and build upon its already impressive track record, but at the same time, there is no compromising on the warmth and concern for every talmid’s needs.

It is with deep gratification that the Gollershave watched their son, Yosef Shmuel, now an eleventh grader in Mesivta Chaim Shlomo, blossom, and they are thrilled to be beginning the journey again with their son Aharon Yehuda, a happy talmid in the preschool division.The Gollers are so thankful for the strong connection their sons feel to their rebbeim and teachers both past and present and the personal interest taken in their needs.

Adam and Yael embody a sincere desire to grow and move ever forward. B’ezras Hashem, they are zoche to watch as theirchildren follow in their footsteps. It is an honor for the yeshivah to bestow the Parents of the Year Award upon Mr. and Mrs. Adam and Yael Goller, who set a sterling example not only for their own children, but to the entire Darchei Torah family.

Building children. Building parents. Building worlds. This is beloved fifth graderebbi Rabbi Shragie Polter’s life mission. Throughout his thirty-six years in chinuch, with the backing of his wonderful wife Rachel, he has left an indelible impression on hundreds of talmidim. It is a kavod for Yeshiva Darchei Torah to pay tribute to the Polters with this year’s Harbotzas Torah Award.

Rabbi Polter grew up in Montreal, where his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Mendel and Carol Polter, laid the strong, healthy foundation upon which he would build a career of molding tinokos shel bais raban. The seeds of that calling were planted even before R’ Shragie’s bar mitzvah, when the indefatigable Mr. Bob Ament, z”l, invited him to serve as a Pirchei leader and encouraged his efforts for years to follow. As a camp counselor, his love for children and harbotzas Torahled him to run a pre-davening learning program and cocoa club. It was during his stint as a counselor in Camp Munk that he was further inspired by the unforgettable Rabbi Josh Silbermintz, zt”l.

Following his graduation from Yeshivah Gedolah of Montreal, Rabbi Polter moved on to Yeshiva Ner Yisrael in Baltimore, where he was privileged to learn under Rav Yaakov Kulefsky, zt”l,and ybl”c, Rabbi YissocherFrand, with whom he built a strong kesher. Still driven by his passion for teaching children, he used his precious free time to run Pirchei for the young boys living on the yeshivah’s campus.

In 1988, R’ Shragie married his wife Rachel, a native of Far Rockaway. Her parents, Rabbi and Mrs. Nechemia and Rheta Zabrowsky, currently of Ramat Beit Shemesh, were one of the founding families of Yeshiva Darchei Torah; Rachel’s older brother R’ Eliezer was a member of the yeshiva’s first graduating class. The Zabrowskys ingrained in their children a love for learning and Yiddishkeit and helping those in need of extra warmth and a helping hand. Rachel’s wholehearted support and excitement for her husband’s avodas hakodesh is no doubt an outgrowth of the ideals with which she was raised.

Shortly after their marriage, the Polters moved to Denver, where Rabbi Polter was a very successful third graderebbi in Hillel Academy for nine years. Rabbi Polter’s transition to Darchei in 1997 was simply the continuation of his calling to build Yiddishe kinder and infuse them with a love for learning and simchas hachayim. For more than twenty-five years, Rabbi Polter’s talmidim, first in third grade and now in fifth grade, where he gives them their first delightful taste of Gemara, respond to his positivity and understanding of what each one needs to succeed. R’ Shragie describes Darchei as a “happy, well-run place to be. There’s nothing like it.” Certainly, his demeanor contributes immeasurably to this unique atmosphere.

The Polters’ five sons are all graduates of the yeshiva, benefiting from the vision of their grandparents many decades earlier. With the special, inside perspective they are privy to, the Polters appreciate the exceptional brand of chinuch their children gained from during their years in Darchei.

Rabbi Polter also works with talmidim one-on-one. In this capacity he has seen tremendous hatzlachah developing learning skills and working hand-in-hand with parents, encouraging them and guiding them on the path to their children’s success.

It is easy to see that Rabbi Polter truly loves what the does. He arrives early each morning so that he can give his students his all, invests his entire neshamah in each child and values the opportunity to partner with their parents –which he sees as the key to maximizing a child’s school experience.

No doubt, there are many, many parents and former talmidim who can attest to Rabbi Polter’s special touch, augmented by his wife’s encouragement and enthusiastic support. Surely, they all agree that the Polters are exceptionally fitting recipients for this year’s Harbotzas Torah Award.

Once a talmid, always a talmid are words that characterize Mr. Aryeh Jacobowitz, acredit to the Yeshiva and his family in every aspect of his life. A model to his peers and his community, we are proud to recognize Aryeh as Alumnus of the Year.

Aryeh grew up watching his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Shloimie and Shevi Jacobowitz of Lawrence, dedicate their time and resources to the klal and specifically to the growth and needs of the yeshiva. Mr. Jacobowitz served as a board member and Mrs. Jacobowitz as a member of the Women’s League of Darchei, along with many other community-related endeavors. Their deep concern for the klaland for mosdos hachinuch made a tremendous impact on their children.

Following his years in Darchei, Aryeh went on to learn in Yeshivas Mir Yerushalayim and Yeshivas Ner Yisroelin Baltimore, after which he married his eishes chayil, Aliza, a graduate of TAG and now a beloved Language-Arts teacher in its high-school division. Aliza’s parents, Dr. and Mrs. Sruly and Ruti Berkowitz, have also always been devoted to and involved in their children’s school, valuing the important role it plays in their children’s lives and in the community. Today, Aryeh and his wife Aliza are the proud parents of two beautiful children and hope to carry their parents’ example forward. As the gabbai of Kahal Anshei Emes, Aryeh already takes an active role in this growingmakom tefillah and values his close connection with his family’s rav, Rabbi Mordechai Stern of Bais Medrash Heichal Dovid.

A business professional by vocation, Aryeh is a ben Torah by choice. Inspired by his tenth-grade rebbe, Rabbi Shimon Dov Notis, Aryeh feels a strong commitment to his daily learning sedarim,regardless of his many other obligations. In Aryeh’s words: “One of the most important things I learned in Darchei is that no matter what you do in life, everyone has a responsibility to live their life as a ben Torah. This manifests itself in every area –no matter what you do and where you find yourself –and plays a huge role in my life today.”

Aryeh fondly recalls how Rabbi Yaakov Bender singled him out as a special “guest speaker” at his eighth-grade graduation. “When I hesitated, Rabbi Bender told me, ‘It will make mehappy if you do it.’ His sensitivity to the needs of every bachur is unmatched; he knew what I didn’t even know I needed!” To this day, Aryeh values and maintains his relationship with Rabbi Bender.

With a wisdom that belies his young age, Aryeh appreciates the step-by-step process that brought him to where he is today –a young man who has integrated the lessons of his rebbeim and his learning so that they are inseparable from his identity. We are proudto honor Mr. and Mrs. Aryeh and Aliza Jacobowitz.

Fusing Torah, avodah and gemilas chesed, Rabbi Yitzy Parnesis an outstanding example of a Yeshiva Darchei Torah talmid who truly internalizes the lessons of his rebbeim and roshei yeshivah, as well as the outstanding examples set by his parents and in-laws. He is a ben Torah for whom limud Torah and tefillah are paramount and who displays a deep-rooted love for other Yidden and a desire to help those in need.

Yitzy was raised in a home in which these values were clearly modeled. His parents, Mr. and Mrs. Shalom and Esther Parnes, established and supported their shul, Agudah of the Five Towns, for many years, part of their commitment to serving their community. At the same time, they cared for so many individuals in need who gravitated toward the warmth of their home and their open-door policy. Above all, they emphasized and were machshiv limud Torah, going the extra mile to ensure that limud Torah in their home and sidrei hayeshivah would proceed undisturbed.

It is not surprising that Yitzy married into a family with similar ideals. His wife, Peri, is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Meir and Toby Greisman of Flatbush, ba’alei chesed who are also singularly dedicated to ensuring that Mr. Greisman can learn undisturbed for many hours of the day, regardless of his numerous other responsibilities.

Yitzy and Peri are following in their parents’ footsteps. Their strong sense of responsibility to the klaland for the importance of a makom Torah u’tefillah led to their steady involvement in their shul, Khal Tiferes Yisroel/Kehillas Red Rock, as well as participation in other community initiatives in the Monsey suburb of New City. And like their parents, Yitzy and Peri graciously open their door to those in need, often hosting those who have nowhere else to go. At the same time, they are devoted parents to their three beautiful children, showering them with attention and inculcating them with a love and excitement for Yiddishkeit. They are also happy to offer their time and talents for the benefit of their children’s schools.

Indeed, this reflects what Yitzy saw during his years in Darchei, where he spent most of his elementary-school years and then high school, bais medrash and beyond. Through the years he established a lasting relationship with Rabbi Yaakov Bender, as well as a close kesher with Rabbi Shmuel Feldman and Rabbi Dovid Bender, both of whom remain his rebbeim to this day. As a bachur in Eretz Yisrael, Yitzy learned under Rav Meir Soloveitchik and gained immeasurably from that relationship as well.

Today, Yitzy is a true ben Torah who cherishes his Darchei roots. “Darchei gave me a derech in how to learn, how to think –in all areas of my life. I am a product of the yeshivah and its Roshei Yeshiva. Darchei is responsible for who I am today.”

Now in the field of real-estate, Yitzy learned in kollel for close to ten years, first in Darchei, then in Kollel Bnei Torah in Flatbush, led by Rav Shmuel Smith, and upon his move to Monsey, under Rav Don Krancer. Today, with the enthusiastic support of his wife, Yitzy continues to prioritize his learning. He is marbitz Torah through a variety of shiurim and maintains daily, intensive sedarim.

Yitzy’s ayin tovahand desire for continuous growth, coupled with his love for learning and concern for those around him, truly reflect the paradigm of a Yeshiva Darchei Torah talmid. It ismost fitting for us to honor Rabbi and Mrs. Yitzy and Peri Parnes with an Alumnus of the Yearaward.

With a strong commitment to the community, genuine concern for others and deference to da’as Torah, Dovid Roll isa true credit to the yeshiva that is so dear to his heart. It is our pleasure to honor him as Alumnus of the Year.

Dovid is the product of a family that very much reflects the yeshiva’s mission of compassion for all of Klal Yisroel. His parents, Rabbi and Mrs. Yisroel and Julie Roll of Baltimore, a psychologist and teacher respectively, are well-known in the world of kiruv; they have dedicated their lives to helping others learn about their heritage through creative programming and opening their home and hearts to Jews from all walks of life. Since joining Mesivta Chaim Shlomo, Dovid has demonstrated that he tries to live his life the same way. While still in Mesivta and Bais Medrash, he tutored and mentored younger boys, positively impacting them and developing lasting relationships with numerous young men and their families over the years.

During his yeshiva years, Dovid forged what became an enduring connection with many of his rebbeim. Currently, he maintains a weekly chavrusashaft with Rabbi Dov Keilson, engages in ongoing halachah discussions with Rabbi Dovid Bender and turns to Rabbi Yaakov Bender for guidance in so many areas of his life.

After graduating Darchei –although he attests that he never really graduated, since the yeshiva remains an integral part of his life until today –Dovid continued his learning in Yeshivas Mir Yerushalayim and in Aderes HaTorah (Rabbi Senter’s yeshivah), where again, he tutored other bachurim, giving them the gift of a patient and understanding “older brother.”

While learning in Monsey under Rav Asher Weiss, Dovid married his eishes chayil, Chani, nee Krumholtz, originally from Edison, NJ. Chani’s parents, Dr. Ira and Mrs. Juliet Krumholtz, give of their time and expertise to benefit their community in many ways. They are involved in several local shuls and schools, Dr. Krumholtz is a daf yomi maggid shiur and regular bal korei and Mrs. Krumholtz volunteers for Hatzolah.

After a stint in Eretz Yisroel, the Rolls were drawn to settle in Far Rockaway by their Darchei connection. Dovid chose to join the healthcare field, a role very much in sync with the path laid out for him by his parents and by the yeshivah, both of whom display true concern and compassion for Klal Yisroel. Dovid is gratified to use his professional expertise to support others in their time of need.

He and his wife are involved in the growth and development of their shul, Khal Lev Avos, under the leadershipof Rabbi Shmuel Weinberg, where Dovid serves on the shul board. The Rolls are the proud parents of three beautiful children. Their son Yehuda is presently a talmidin Rabbi Sarf’s first grade. For Dovid, Darchei is family, and he is so excited to have added the title “parent” to his Darchei relationship.

Dovid summarizes his life-changing experience and connection with Darchei and Rabbi Bender: “Rabbi Bender has given me so much and is available for me, no matter the time of day or night. He has given me so much love, supported me in everything, and given me a yeshivah that created a structure for the rest of my life. I would do anything for Rabbi Bender.”

K’mayim hapanim el panim, Yeshiva Darchei Torah is gratified to honor Mr. and Mrs. Dovid and Chani Roll, who personifythe ideals of devotion to theirfamily, their yeshiva, and their community and to continual, lifelong growth.