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Graduation April 5, 2009
11 Nisan, 5769

 

30 selected photos (see all 300 below)

 

About 300 photos from Graduation April 5, 2009
Click slideshow to view the photo gallery

 

Michael Hoffman
What a long surprising trip Mercaz has been. It has allowed me to grow as a Jew. I appreciate the classes I have taken and the friends that I have made. Now I can take what I have learned with me next year when I head down south.

Arthur Kurtzman
Just when I thought Mercaz had just started it has already come to pass. Every year and every teacher has been so good to me. Where would my Jewish education be without it? I can't believe all these great times are over. So many of my friends and I have loved going here and will miss it sorely. Hopefully I will continue my Jewish education in the future.

Jenna Rubin
These past years have been pleasantly surprising. Mercaz has given me a chance to learn more about certain subjects in Judaism. Next year I will be going to University of Cincinnati for early childhood education.

Eric Schwartz
Hi, my name is Eric Schwartz. I have an older brother named Dan. Being the youngest in the family has always been hard, but it has shaped me into who I am today. Mercaz has helped me see how Judaism has evolved over the years into what it is today to me. It has revealed how I feel about myself and my Jewish identity and I will miss the courses in the future.

Zachary Sosna
I have been attending Mercaz for five years. I have used a lot of my time at Mercaz to practice my communication and debate skills. From "Jews line is it anyway?", to "That's debatable" I have learned many ways to respond to different situations.

Jeremy Spiegel
Mercaz has been an interesting five years. It has been a great way to continue my Jewish education. Some of my highlights include learning about current events, improv skills, Jewish athletes, and much more. Next year I hope to continue to be involved in Hillel in college, and my Mercaz eduation is a major reason why.

Erik Stillpass
I started Mercaz 5 years ago and have learned too much to mention. I've had great experiences dancing, laughing and, of course, socializing. Mercaz has taught me to be more and more appreciative of my Jewish background and I am leaving ready to take the Jewish world as a knowledgeable Jewish man.

Melanie Swartz
I have been attending Mercaz for the past five years and I am glad that I stuck with it all these years. The people I have met have become a part of my life and I've had so much fun with them. It was a great way to get to know other Jewish people and learn together with one another. As I venture off to college I hope to continue my involvement in the Jewish community wherever I go.

Adam Weber
It is hard to believe I am leaving Mercaz. All the people that I have met and I might not see them again. Part of me is happy to move on to new things, but another part is truly saddened by the loss of something so important to me for all these years. I know that I'll never forget all the great experiences I've had here. Shalom!

Aliza Weinberger
In forming my Jewish identity over the past few years. I have learned a lot from the people around me and from my time at Jewish summer camps, but much of what I have learned was from Mercaz. Being surrounded by other Jewish teens at Mercaz gave me insight into others' Jewish identities. Coming from a very secular public school with mainly non-Jewish friends, going to Mercaz taught me how to interact with other Jews my age. And while I was encouraged to expand my horizons and study in Israel and on my own, Mercaz was always a place where I found support and a school where I could share what I have learned and in turn teach others. Without Mercaz, and years of Adath Israel Hebrew school before it, I would not be the person I am today.

Tammy Winkler
I have truly enjoyed coming to Mercaz these past five years and have learned a variety of subjects within the Jewish religion. I will use all I have learned from Yavneh Day school and Mercaz to continue my life as a proud Jew. I hope to become a doctor and go to Israel many, many more times! I will strive to live life giving back to others and making the world a better place.

Freddie Wolf
Mercaz is sweet! It has done great things in my pursuit to improve my Jewish education. From honing my improv skills to watching Jewish movies I have learned so much! I also like hanging out with my fellow Jewish friends!

Rachel Wolkoff
My name is Rachel Wolkoff, I have been a part of Mercaz for 5 years. I have enjoyed coming because I have made new friends and met many new Jewish people. I am continuing my Jewish education by joining the Hillel at University of Cincinnati where I will be pursuing my career in nursing. I will miss being with my senior class as well as Andrew Greenfield and
D-woods! I will also miss getting my picture taken with all my friends during the course of the Mercaz school year.

 

 

 

 

 

 

2008 Graduation


Slideshow from Mercaz Graduation 2008



Click to view the Photo Gallery

Mercaz High School graduation took place on April 13th. The beautiful ceremony celebrated the graduation of 15 seniors who completed their studies at Mercaz.

Below are excerpts from each graduate which were included in the Mercaz graduation program. You can read the students' own words how Mercaz helped them grow their Jewish identities, build friendships, and continue their Jewish education.

Michael Backman (Adath Israel)
My name is Michael Backman and I have definitely benefited from Mercaz. I learned a lot of more in depth things about the torah from my teachers. I especially enjoyed my classes with Rabbi Travis. I will continue to learn more about Jewish Identity next year at the University of Pittsburgh.

Jacob Bergman (Adath Israel)
Through Mercaz I have learned a diverse amount of knowledge about Judaism. I am happy to have brought myself closer to my religion and what I believe in. I hope to carry my gained knowledge throughout my life. I am glad to have had classes with Rabbi Wise and to know the values with which he teachers. Mercaz was an excellent five year experience which I will cherish forever.

Meryl Meisner (Adath Israel)
I can actually say that I'm happy my parents pushed me into going to Mercaz these last five years. yes, it meant giving up my Sunday night homework slot to two hours of sitting in a classroom, but I feel that it has kept my knowledge of Judaism intact. Mercaz has taught me new things about the Jewish belief on heaven and hell, why the kashurt rules are what they are, brushed up on my Hebrew a little bit and much more. It's very important to me that I retain what I have learned because I want to be able to explain the Jewish religion to anyone who asks about it.

Kean Mervis (Ohav Shalom)
Mercaz has taught me much about a wide variety of topics and Jewish perspectives. I am graduating from Sycamore High School in the spring. I plan on studying engineering at The Ohio State University in the fall.

Isaac Privitera (Adath Israel)
My name is Isaac Privitera. I am a senior at Walnut Hills High and a National Merit Finalist. I play rugby and this year I am captain of Walnut Hill's rugby club. My Jewish identity is something that I have continually developed since my first days of learning the alef-bet. My past five years at Mercaz have allowed me to put into perspective my religious beliefs. I will always remember Sunday nights as well spent.

Seth Rau (Northern Hills Synagogue)
Instead of spending my Sunday nights watching TV or just wasting time, I have spent four productive years at Mercaz. I have learned so much more about my Jewish identity and about my culture. Besides fulfilling requirements for USY, the people at Mercaz have added a new dimension to my life. In the coming months, I will be graduating from the Seven Hills Schools, and I will attend Tufts University in the Fall.

Jessica Reiser (Adath Israel)
Mercaz Rocks! What a great two hours a week! I have learned so much over these past 5 years. I love to go and hang out with my friends every week. It is a great time to catch up! I really have learned a lot and I will miss all my friends next year when I'm in Israel!

Benjamin Robinson (B'nai Tzedek)
In my five years at Mercaz I have been exposed to so many things. From Kabbalah to Music to Israeli culture to world issues, Mercaz has offered me an opportunity to discover the Jewish perspective on all of these things. I have learned more about myself and plan on taking my Mercaz experience wherever I go in the future. I am thankful for all the efforts my teachers, friends, and parents have made to further my Jewish education.

Jonathan Robinson (B'nai Tzedek)
I cam to Mercaz a youth and now when I graduate I will have become a man. I learned, laughed and I hope became a better person along the way. If it had not been for teachers like Rabbi Travis, I would not be the person I am today. Next year as I go to college I will be sure to take forth the lessons I have learned at Mercaz with me.

Elana Satin (Northern Hills Synagogue)
The best thing about Mercaz is definitely the friendships I've made with Jewish kids from other synagogues. Without Mercaz I probably would not have met these people who I have now become really good friends with. I am graduating from Walnut Hills and will attend Case Western Reserve University in the Fall.

Morris Satin (Northern Hills Synagogue)
Going to Mercaz every Sunday night for the past five years has allowed me to keep in touch with my Jewish identity through a continuous high-school level education. I have been able to keep in touch with my Jewish friends from across the city and I have gained a sense of my place in the Jewish community. I am graduating from both Mercaz and Walnut Hills High School this year and will be going to Case Western next year.

Brooke Siegel (Adath Israel)
The two hours a week that I have spent at Mercaz are so memorable that a short paragraph cannot describe it. Five years went by so fast. Rabbi Travis had the best classes. I will be graduating from Sycamore High School and I am going to West Virginia University next year.

Aaron Slovin (Ohav Shalom)
During my time at Mercaz, I have learned a lot. I feel I have learned so much about my Jewish identity. Mercaz has been a great place for me to continue my Jewish education. Mercaz has definitely made me want to pursue my Jewish education further.

Rebecca Wood (Adath Israel)
My favorite class at Mercaz has been an art class that I took with Kathy Wise. I learned a lot of details about the holidays that I didn't know and had a lot of fun. I have also really enjoyed Senior Seminar this semester. We had some great discussions and came together as a class to create our graduation program. Mercaz helped me to explore different aspects of Judaism and helped to further my Jewish identity.

Lauren Zakem (Adath Israel)
At Mercaz I have made so many friends who I will keep for a lifetime. Also, the food at snack is amazing! I am graduating from Indian Hill High School and will be attending Ohio University in the fall. Overall, Mercaz is the best way to spend every Sunday night during the school year!

 

 

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3201 E. Galbraith Road
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Mercaz is a product of the Conservative Synagogues in Cincinnati and the USCJ.
Mercaz Director - Dara Wood, 792 5082 ext. 104
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