Thursday, June 7, 2012

Bergen Academies Student Excels in Torah and Science



The Teaneck Suburbanite reports about Joshua Meier, a 16-year old Teaneck resident who became a finalist in the Google Science Fair.  Joshua graduated from Yavneh and now attends Bergen County Academies for High School, a public "magnet school".

According to the article he studies Jewish subjects for 2 hours every day with a tutor.  Not sure how the cost of the tutor compares with Yeshiva but it seems to be paying off.  He won 6th place at the International Chiddon Tanach and 1st place at the International Jerusalem Contest.  He also created an app with the Mishneh Torah on it, or as the Suburbanite calls it, the "Mission of the Torah."
Posted by at 10:42 AM

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Not a chump response's avatar

Not a chump response · 668 weeks ago

I know several children in public or other non-yeshiva programs that have tutors or rebbeim for limudei kodesh. In speaking to the parents, I have learned that the kids are doing great in school, parents love the programs at the schools and the limudei kodesh quality one on one is amazing as well. Costs - depends on who you use and number of hours i am told, but figure 40 - 85 per hour. My understanding is that the teachers, parents and students all feel more is covered than in a classroom setting, due to the nature of the set up.

We can continue to spend 40-60k a year on "average 3 kids tuition" with after tax dollar, depending on which school, age, etc. and just assume our retirement and safety net will magically appear or we could have some REAL leaders stand up and get some type of momentum for those that need this as a serious consideration. Finally, the costs above could obviously be greatly reduced if 3 or 4 children in an area, of similar age, attend public school, but share a tutor in a small group setting 2-3 times a week.
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Mark's avatar

Mark · 668 weeks ago

Wow! Sounds like a great kid!!!
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Guest · 668 weeks ago

This child is clearly exceptionally bright and self motivated to learn. I don't think you can easily apply the logic of "if it works for him, then lets make a plan for all our kids".
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Guest Response · 668 weeks ago

So, a kid that is not motivated, does not care or is lazy, will automatically succeed and learn by just spending 17,500 and sending to Noam?
1 reply · active 668 weeks ago
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Guest · 668 weeks ago

I don't recall saying that .
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Yeshiva_Dad 69p · 668 weeks ago

NACR,
That's what the Community Talmud Torah program is trying to achieve. See http://www.cooltorah.org/
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virtual · 668 weeks ago

I keep reading about these virtual charter schools. Cant some families register this for NO FEE / FREE, and hire a rebbie to teach their children in morning or afternoons?
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Henry Frisch's avatar

Henry Frisch · 668 weeks ago

I taught for many decades at Bronx Science and had numerous Otthodox students there. I salute Joshua and hope others will take advantage of excellent public education. I also salute his outstanding limudei kodesh teacher.
1 reply · active 667 weeks ago
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ClooJew's avatar

ClooJew · 667 weeks ago

I am curious to know if you kept up with these kids and if you are aware what percentage of them are today shomer Torah umitzvos. Thanks.
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Yoel Kaplan's avatar

Yoel Kaplan · 668 weeks ago

Thanks for the shout-out Yeshiva Dad! If people take the time to investigate our program and its overall approach to Torah learning as it pertains to a teenage lifestyle, I think they will find that in many ways it surpasses anything an individual limudei kodesh tutor would be able to offer. I look forward to hearing from anyone currently participating in or investigating any alternatives to the Jewish day school educational model. Check out our website www.cooltorah.org or contact me at info@cooltorah.org if you would like to learn more.
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open house's avatar

open house · 668 weeks ago

Good luck Mr. Kaplan. I think many are talking about using your program and / or for hire LK instructors, but many have cold feet being the "first one". Perhaps you should have an "open house" for families interested in make this a reality - they can consider ending their financial suicide.
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JFS Parent's avatar

JFS Parent · 667 weeks ago

There are exceptions, but how does 5,500 in tuition for an afterschool TT program yield better results (you define results in Jewish education) than JFS at $7,000 (2012 tuition without the bus)? I am biased since I send to JFS, but I am also a rational parent.
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Henry Frisch's avatar

Henry Frisch · 667 weeks ago

Cloojew,
One is a Rosh Yeshiva in Yerushalaim with his own yeshiva. In general it would be a fair observation to note that I do not know of any who stopped being Orthodox.

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