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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!
