On November 19, Scheck Hillel Community School gathered to honor the school’s 2013 Jaime and Raquel Gilinski Hillel Ambassadors and to show its gratitude to the Gilinski family for founding the special program. The morning ceremony and student assembly shined light on the achievements, talents and leadership of the Ambassadors in front of their families, alumni, members of the Board of Governors and, of course, the Gilinski family. In this fifth anniversary year of the program, Ambassadors of 2009 through 2012 also attended as special guests.
The Gilinski Hillel Ambassador Program is the first merit-based scholarship of its kind in Scheck Hillel history. Created in 2009, the program recognizes students in Grades 6-12 who demonstrate their commitment to learning in extraordinary ways. These students are school ambassadors to the extended community because they bring to life the Scheck Hillel mission through accomplishment and talent…whether in the classroom, on the field, on stage or at a community project.
Extraordinary students apply every year. While the school is proud to have so many accomplished students, only a select few fulfill the Gilinski Hillel Ambassador role each year. After a spring 2013 application process that was even more rigorous than past years, Scheck Hillel recognized the following students as this year’s Ambassadors. In addition to the lifelong honor of joining the first four generations of Ambassadors, they have received grants toward Scheck Hillel tuition for the 2013-2014 school year.
Deborah Ades, Grade 7
Nathalie Fuhrman, Grade 8
Abigail Winograd, Grade 9
Ariel Gelrud, Grade 10
Abraham Milheim, Grade 10
Alexandra Mundlak, Grade 10
Aviel Abuhav, Grade 11
Lior Barhai, Grade 11
Avi Hirshbein, Grade 11
Nicole Scheck, Grade 11
Students’ remarks from this morning’s events follow, offering a snapshot of how Ambassadors carve out their individual paths to success and fulfillment at Scheck Hillel. Special thanks to faculty advisor Andrew Butler, who guides, mentors and works with the school’s finest through this very special program.
Avi Hirshbein
A leader strives for greatness among his peers, and works to be respected and followed by others, while having strong beliefs and a unique personality. A leader is an individual who creates, who paves a revolutionary path instead of walking on an already established path. A leader is a force for good in the world. A Gilinski Hillel Ambassador is a leader.
Alexandra Mundlak
Community gives me a sense of belonging. I have been a part of the Scheck Hillel family for 14 years,and this sense of belonging helps shape my identity. This community has allowed me to develop and strengthen relationships with my peers and teachers over time. One extraordinary experience was having spent some time in Israel with my grade last summer. This community is preparing me to go out into the world with a clear sense of who I am and how I want to contribute to my community and to humanity as a whole.
Abigail Winograd
The definition of identity is the qualities that make up a particular person. In other words, identity is what makes you an individual. My identity is built on five main themes: Judaism, education, the arts, our community, and my family. Of course there is more to me than that. Every one of us is different, so, be yourself and stand out for being you, not what others expect you to be.
Aviel Abuhav
Being Jewish means being unique and standing together with our fellow Jews as one proud nation. Our duty as Jews is to protect our nation, Israel from any enemies or threats. I have always been passionate about Israel and my Jewish identity, and have always shared and spread my passion among my surroundings. In the future, I envision myself making a difference in the world through the defense of the state of Israel and through my involvement in the Jewish community.
Nathalie Fuhrman
Service to others is a crucial value that plays a huge role in my life. There is no better feeling than the one you get knowing you have helped improve someone's life. When you give, you receive, which is visibly seen in the word in Hebrew נתן that reads the same forward and backwards.
Abraham Milhem
Reaching our goals and solving problems requires actions. For this reason, it's important that we get off the couch and take initiative. By doing this, we'll be challenged to try our hardest and be the best we can be.
Ariel Gelrud
Mark Twain once said, "Actions speak louder than words." We as Jews, have a shared responsibility of 'Tikkun Olam' in which we must take action in order to heal, repair, and transform our world around us. Being Gilinski Hillel Ambassadors gives us the chance to improve and transform our community by taking action and making our visions a reality
Lior Barhai
Being the captain of the football team I have learned many things, such as setting the right example, rising to an occasion even in the hardest times, and most importantly how to be a leader. The things I learned from football are applied to my life every day and I use them in everything I do.
Nicole Scheck
Part of being a leader is making everyone feel welcomed in our environment and allowing each person to feel part of a unified mission. Through kindness and care, everyone can be a significant piece to the big picture and can have the opportunity to embrace their differences. We must use leadership to invite in those who might feel that they are on the outside and motivate them, along with everyone else, to become their own leaders.
Deborah Ades
As the youngest of this year’s Gilinski Hillel Ambassadors, I focus on the future of the school and our community. We have big plans and dreams for our school, and I hope to make them a reality over the coming months and years. This is our school, and it is up to us to make it the best we can.
The vision of the Jaime and Raquel Gilinski Hillel Ambassador Program is to honor students who show exceptional commitment to education and Scheck Hillel, encouraging the lifelong learning and leadership that Jewish continuity requires. With gratitude to the Jaime and Raquel Gilinski family, mazel tov to these extraordinary student leaders!