May 25, 2011--There wasn’t a high-five to be seen at last Tuesday’s Rose Ruderman Scholarship Awards Ceremony. Which makes sense when you consider that the winners, chosen from the graduating class of each of the seven Boston-area Orthodox day schools, were selected precisely for their kindness, their willingness to go out their way to help families, friends and teachers. And, yes, for their modesty.

It’s a fitting tribute to the modest Malden woman that the scholarship is named for, says grandson Jay Ruderman. “Our grandmother Rose was a terrific role model in the way she gave of herself and saw – and brought out -- the best in everyone, so we began thinking about a very different kind of scholarship, one that, unlike other scholarships, wasn’t based on academic achievement, athletic prowess or even on need.”

Working with CJP, the Ruderman family established the scholarship program and every year since, they have asked the heads of school to work with their teachers to select one child who exemplifies everything Rose Ruderman stood for.

“We know that our grandmother would heartily approve of this year’s winners,” adds granddaughter Sharon Shapiro. “They truly keep her beautiful qualities alive.”

2011 Rose Ruderman Scholars

Bais Yaakov of Boston High School for Girls

• Chaya Ochs delights area seniors with homemade cookies at Chanukah and Shaloch Manos baskets at Purim.

Maimonides School

• Brittani Hirsch devotes her free time to those with special needs and children suffering from brain cancer at Children’s Hospital.

New England Hebrew Academy

• Miriam Yanofsky leads the youngest children in stories, games and songs during Shabbat services.

Shaloh House Jewish Day School

• Ethan Danan is always the first to jump up whenever a teacher, peer, or a younger student needs a hand.

Striar Hebrew Academy of Sharon

• Yonatan Diamond is always there to “kindly and gently” help his classmates with their schoolwork.

The Rabbi and Rebbitzen Shloma Margolis Mesivta High School of Greater Boston

• Tzvi Baer has taken charge of setting up Shabbos meals for the last two years.

Torah Academy

• Yaakov Brecher cheerfully volunteers to man the school’s morning canteen when his fellow students can’t cover their shifts.   

The Rudermans encourage other families to create scholarships to memorialize their parents and grandparents. To find out how, or learn more about the Rose Ruderman Scholarship Program, contact Sloan Kennedy at sloank@cjp.org.