The Redhawk's Nest

In the last episode, of season 1 of The Redhawk's Nest, Rabbi Knapp and Morah Baruchov wrap up this podcast series. Rabbi Knapp talks about the different ways that the school celebrated its 80th year celebration this year, shares his vision for the future of the school, and reflects on the meaning of a Yavneh educational experience.

During the past 80 years, Yavneh Academy has had thousands of graduates. It is very special when a Redhawk alum flies back into the nest and returns to the school as a faculty member. In this episode, Morah Baruchov interviews 7 alumni who are all currently teachers at the school: Shira Grosser (‘70), Chaim Sussman (‘93), Rebecca Tenzer (‘97), Jen Hooper (‘98), Adina Rudin (‘02), Aliza Hiller (‘02), and Yaffa Moerdler (‘06). Tune in to hear about each of their experiences when they were Yavneh students, their current positions at Yavneh, and how their impact on Yavneh continues to this day.

As spring begins, we say goodbye to the 'brr' of winter and welcome The Berman Family to the podcast. More than 80 years ago, Dr. Lawrence Berman's grandparents, Lena and Louis Berman, were pioneers of the Paterson Talmud Torah which eventually morphed into Yavneh Academy. The connections between The Berman Family and Yavneh Academy have remained strong throughout the years: Dr. Berman served as a member of the school's board, Rosalie Berman spent a large portion of her teaching career at Yavneh, and all four of their children - Michael, Len, Marc, and Beth (as well as their grandchildren) attended the school. Tune into this episode to honor an 80 plus year connection that this family has to Yavneh!

In this week's episode, Rabbi Knapp and Morah Baruchov have a meaningful conversation with the one and only Rabbi Eugene Kwalwasser, Dean Emeritus of Yavneh Academy. Rabbi Kwalwasser's career at Yavneh spanned from 1977-2008. During his time at Yavneh, Rabbi Kwalwasser grew the student population by more than half, stabilized the school, brought the visions and core values of the school to fruition, trained various faculty members, implemented educational support systems, established The Annual 8th Grade Holocaust Production, and did so much more. Under his tenure, Yavneh Academy also received The Pras Yerushalayim in 1995. In this interview, you will hear about these various topics that will give you an inside look of the hard work that was put into place to bring Yavneh Academy to where it is today.

Hosts: Morah Baruchov with Rabbi Knapp
Producers: Matthew Feiler and Jason David

Tune in as Morah Baruchov interviews the Gottliebs, a three generation Yavneh family. She speaks with Michael Gottlieb (‘73) and his two daughters, Rebecca Weinberg (‘00), and Ally Schwartz (‘02). Currently, Rebecca and Ally both have children at Yavneh and Gan Yavneh respectively.

In this episode, each representative of the Gottlieb family walks down memory lane and reflects upon how their experiences at Yavneh Academy shaped them into the people they are today. They compare and contrast what all three of their experiences looked like and what Michael's grandkids' experiences look like today. Their deep connection and love of Yavneh, family, and Judaism truly shines through!

Hosts: Morah Baruchov with Rabbi Knapp
Producers: Matthew Feiler and Jason David

"Excuse the interruption, but can Rebecca Gordon please make her way down to the podcasting office? Rebecca Gordon. Thank you!"

In the fourth episode of The Redhawks Nest, Morah Baruchov speaks with Yavneh's long time Director of the Education Office, and unoffical Yavneh history keeper, Mrs. Rebecca Gordon. Rebecca spent 56 years at Yavneh Academy. She started at Yavneh in 1965, when she enrolled her son in the school, and stayed on staff until June 2022. Rebecca shares memories of her career at Yavneh and the impact that Yavneh made on both her professional and personal life. Tune into this episode to celebrate an individual that made such a special mark on the school!

Hosts: Morah Baruchov with Rabbi Knapp
Producers: Matthew Feiler and Jason David

A man graduates from Yavneh in the 60's. His kids attend the school in the 80's and 90's. Then his wife starts teaching at Yavneh in the mid 90's. Then one of his sons starts to teach at Yavneh in 2000's. Eventually his grandchildren attend the school a few years later. 

This may sound like a riddle, but it is not! This is the Toldot of The Sussman Family as it relates to their time at Yavneh. 

Following the order of the above narrative: Stephen Sussman graduated Yavneh in 1962. Stephen's sons Chaim and Josh Sussman attended the school in the 80's-90's. Stephen's wife, Barbara Sussman, officially started teaching at Yavneh in 1994. She taught at Yavneh for 12 years. Then, Chaim Sussman started teaching at Yavneh in 2005 and has been teaching here ever since. Currently, Stephen's grandchildren attend Yavneh and are part of the classes of '27 and '28.

Tune into this episode to hear the stories of this timeline come alive. This episode sheds light on how a 3 (plus!) generation family all have strong ties to Yavneh's Nest.

Hosts: Morah. Baruchov
Producers: Matthew Feiler and Jason David

In this episode, Rabbi Knapp and Morah Baruchov sit down with Irv Glass who attended Yavneh Academy when the school was located in Paterson. He was a member of the graduating class of 1963. Currently, Mr. Glass operates The ShopRite Stores in Paramus, Englewood, and Rochelle Park. During this conversation, he shares some memories that stand out to him from the time spent at Yavneh. He also reflects on how his Yavneh Academy education has impacted his life.

Hosts: Morah Baruchov and Rabbi Knapp
Producers: Matthew Feiler and Jason David

The first episode of The Redhawk's Nest features a very special interview with, Yavneh Academy’s Head of School, Rabbi Jonathan Knapp. This exciting discussion serves as a catalyst for future episodes.  Insights into the origins of the podcast as well as some of the history and values of Yavneh Academy are discussed in the episode.

Tune in to hear Rabbi Knapp talk about how the Redhawk became the official mascot of Yavneh, as hear about how Yavneh decides to call a snow day!

Hosts: Morah Baruchov with Rabbi Knapp
Producers: Matthew Feiler and Jason David

Welcome to The Redhawk's nest, Yavneh Academy's podcast. Hosted by Yavneh's own Morah Jordana Baruchov, The Redhawk's Nest podcast celebrates the school's culture, values, and engages members of our school community. Each episode and guest will give you a ‘bird's eye view’ into the variety of individuals that make up Yavneh Academy's Redhawk community and the special impact that the institution has made on their lives.

Hosts: Morah Baruchov with Rabbi Knapp
Producers: Matthew Feiler and Jason David