Springtime means graduation season. And, so often, students are recognized for academic excellence or sports achievements. However, the Rose Ruderman Scholar Awards are a little bit different. These scholarships honor Jewish day school students who demonstrate kindness and respect for their families, peers and community, in addition to displaying academic excellence.
The awards acknowledge the students’ contributions to propagating the spirit of chesed (lovingkindness) and honor the memory of Rose Ruderman, z”l, who died in 1994. The 17th annual ceremony took place on Wednesday, June 18, with remarks from Ruderman’s granddaughter, Sharon Shapiro, trustee and community liaison for the Ruderman Family Foundation.
“The Rose Ruderman Scholar Award honors what truly matters in life: Being kind. Being respectful. Having a strong moral compass. And going above and beyond to help others. This award elevates and affirms these vital traits—ones that are passed down through generations, and that shape our communities for the better,” Shapiro told the crowd. “In times like these, when the world can feel uncertain or divided, the call to care for one another is even more urgent. And it is through acts of compassion that we create lasting impact in the lives of others.”
“Receiving an award bearing Rose Ruderman’s name is a great honor. Rose’s legacy is one of kindness, a commitment to helping those in need, living Jewish values, and maintaining deep connections to family and community,” said Rabbi Marc Baker, president and CEO of CJP. “It is inspiring to see how these students, along with every generation of Rose’s family, carry on this legacy.”
“Greater Boston is blessed to have a thriving network of Jewish day schools that provide immersive, inclusive and welcoming Jewish environments for our students and their families,” added Jennifer Weinstock, CJP’s executive vice president of philanthropy. “We are grateful to the school leaders and to every family who makes the choice to send their child to Jewish day school. Recognizing these outstanding students is also a recognition of the excellent educators and school communities who are part of our students’ journeys day in and day out.”
Meet this year’s recipients, in their school’s own words:
Moria Danan (12th grade), Maimonides School
“Moria Danan is a deeply sensitive, thoughtful and principled young woman. She is a true baalat chesed [highly generous person], and we at Maimonides are very honored to nominate her for this important award. Moria carries herself with great dignity and exudes kindness with every step she takes. She is a person who everyone wants to work with, talk with and be close to because her chesed is genuine, and is done for the sake of doing the right thing. Moria’s concern for others is consistently selfless, and her goodwill toward others is magnanimous. It profoundly moves everyone she comes into contact with and enhances their lives to the point that they want to emulate Moria’s generous spirit.”
Bracha Fraida Solomon (12th grade), Bais Yaakov of Boston
“Bracha Fraida Solomon has true ahavas chesed [loving devotion], which expresses itself in a variety of settings: at home, at school and in the community. Done quietly and without fanfare, she impacts the lives of many in a deep, meaningful way with her myriad acts of kindness and serves as an incredible role model to her peers.”
Levi Weinograd (12th grade), Yeshiva Ohr Yisrael
“Levi Weinograd is this year’s recipient of the Rose Ruderman Scholarship. Just as Rose embodied the value of looking out for the needs of others, so too Levi is committed to being attuned to the needs of all members of the community. From his leadership role in the Yachad Club to student council, Levi is always thinking about others and their feelings. All students, young and old, know that Levi is ready and willing to help in any way. Whether as a chavrusa or playing ball, Levi knows just what to say to encourage everyone. He is a true mensch!”
Noam Youshaei (12th grade), Mesivta High School of Greater Boston
“We are proud to name Noam Youshaei as the Mesivta Rose Ruderman Scholar this year. Noam is an outstanding student and is a role model for the middle school boys who come in to learn at the Mesivta. He runs the Masmidei Erev learning program and makes sure that each boy feels cared for and special.”
Shaindel Shanske (8th grade), Torah Academy
“Shaindel Shanske stands out for always being the first to volunteer to help set up and clean up school events. She is reliable and follows through on any chesed she takes on. She looks for opportunities to be helpful to those younger and older than her and is always respectful and grateful to those around her.”
Marc Sachakov (6th grade), Shaloh House
“We are proud to recognize a young man who brings joy, kindness and positivity to every corner of our school, Marc Sachakov. From the age of 4, Marc has been a part of the Shaloh House family, and throughout the years, he has shown us what it means to be a true role model. His cheerful spirit, warm smile and polite manners make him a joy to be around each and every day. Marc is not only kind and respectful, but he is also always ready to help others with a generous heart and a calm, caring attitude. Whether he’s offering a hand to a friend or brightening up the classroom with his good mood, Marc’s presence is always a blessing. And if you’ve ever seen him dance, you know just how much joy he brings through movement and music—it’s impossible not to smile when Marc is dancing! We are so proud of the wonderful person he is becoming, and we can’t wait to see all the ways he will continue to shine.”
Nathan Shahrooz (6th grade), New England Hebrew Academy
“Nathan Shahrooz was chosen for this award as he has exemplified being a role model of good character, hardworking and someone who is liked and respected by his peers on so many levels.”
Isaac Shai Bellin (5th grade), Striar Hebrew Academy
“Shai Bellin is an affable, kind and charismatic child. He is the first to sit with anyone during lunch, or to play a game with any of his classmates. When there is a chore to be done, and volunteers are not to be found, Shai always steps up. Shai is an amazing big brother and an amazing friend.”
