BT History: "Throughout the Years"

11/8/2013

Twenty years ago, Beth Tfiloh only had twelve seniors. In 2013, we had 89 graduates. Needless to say, our school has grown and we are beaming with joy at this fact. After Mrs. Schorr spoke to her children at their 20 year reunion, she knew she had to share her pride in BT’s alumni with the rest of the community. Read the stories of David Lowenstein, Devora (Genut Teichman), Michael Podberesky, Rachel (Goloskov) Sigman, and Jeremy Diamond—five individuals from the Class of 1993. We asked them to tell us why they love BT and their answers moved us; we’re sure they will inspire you, too. When you see where a Beth Tfiloh education (academics, athletics, arts, and Jewish learning) can take our students, you’ll be happy you’re a part of the BT family.

David Lowenstein attended Beth Tfiloh when he called Pikesville his home. Now he lives in Silver Spring, MD. After graduating from BT, David received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Boston University, followed by a Juris Doctor degree at American University. Now he is an attorney who concentrates in veterans benefits law.

In addition to his professional accomplishments, David is a proud family man. He is married to Mandi and they have three children named Shana (13), Elie (11), and Kira (7). Although they attend Melvin J. Berman Hebrew Academy, David fondly remembers his days at BT, particularly his senior class trip to Poland and Israel.

When asked what extra -curricular activity defined him as a BT student, David responded, “Being a member of the 1992 Varsity Tennis Champs of the M.S.A. "B" Conference. We were undefeated that season and won the school's first championship in any sport.” After jumpstarting our school’s athletic success, David still enjoys playing basketball and watching Orioles and Ravens games.

Like Charlie, from David’s favorite movie, the original Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory David lives his life with chesed. He says, “I was fortunate enough to match as a donor through the Gift of Life several years ago. The blood stem cell transfer went well, the recipient has recovered, and we have spoken many times since.”

Inspiring us to work hard, play hard, and save lives, David is one Beth Tfiloh alumnus with whom we are proud to reconnect.

Devora (Genut) Teichman lived in Pikesville’s Greengate neighborhood and attended BT. Her favorite memory of her time at school was when her fifth grade teacher, Mrs. Friedman, had the class over for Shabbos. Devora claims, “That memory has stayed with me...[Mrs. Friedman] was the teacher who taught us to braid challah...not the regular braids but the fancy ones. She took our lessons out of the classroom and into her home to make them real.”

Although she left to get her education degree at Stern College, she now works as a special education teacher and has rooted her family back in Baltimore’s Ranchleigh neighborhood twenty years later. Devora is married to Michael and has eight children: Shmuel (16), Yitzi (15), Eli (14), Reezha (12), Dovid (11), Sruli ( 8), Leeba (4), and Nechama (3). They attend a variety of Jewish schools, including Bais Yaakov, Talmudical Academy (TA), Mesivta of Baltimore, and Valley Torah in L.A.

Continuously impressed by Beth Tfiloh, Devora says she “Can't believe how it has grown...[if it weren’t for BT] so many children would otherwise not be in a Jewish school close by home!” She also mentions that despite the growth of the building and class sizes, she is glad one thing remains the same: Mrs. Schorr.

In sum, Devora reflects on the impact that BT had on her life as an adult by saying, “BT taught me the importance of Ve'ahavta lere’acha kamocha (Loving your neighbor as yourself)...and how to live life taking care of my fellow Jews.”

Michael Podberesky lived in Randallstown while attending Beth Tfiloh, but currently resides in Rockville, MD with his wife, Suzanne, and two children, Ethan (9) and Sarah (3), who attend Stone Mill Elementary. The family belongs to Bnei Tzedek.

After High School, Michael finished the Naval Academy and received a law degree from Columbia Law School. Today, he is an attorney who loves watching the Ravens and playing tennis. When asked what extracurricular activity defined his time at BT, Michael answered that he was most proud of being a “member of BT’s first tennis championship team.”

Michael’s take on how much Beth Tfiloh impacted his life as an adult is short and sweet; he says BT “made me who I am today.”

Rachel (Goloskov) Sigman volunteered to be her class representative and helped plan the 20 year reunion for the class of ‘93. When attending Beth Tfiloh, she lived in Randallstown, but she currently lives in Richboro, PA (30 minutes north of Philadelphia) with her husband, Alex, her two children, Cynda (10 ½ ) and Manny (4 ½) who attend Westampton Middle School and Ohev Shalom of Bucks County EEC, and her coonhound, Maddi.

Currently, Rachel is a stay-at-home mom, who enjoys reading, riding her bike and listening to Country and old-school rock music. She loves sports and says, “I remember when we would host the Weiner Tournaments. I was managing the boys’ varsity basketball team at the time, so I got to participate in most of the activities. I was so proud to be a student there...this was MY school that was hosting this fabulous sporting event and I felt so lucky to be a part of it.”

Rachel has a degree from the University of Baltimore in Business Management and fond memories of Beth Tfiloh. She is happy to note that after all these years, SADD is still an active club in the high school, because she was “very active in SADD (which then stood for Students Against Drunk Driving, but has since been renamed as Students Against Destructive Decisions), and even went on a trip to Shock Trauma with them.” Rachel explains, “I truly loved High School and would not trade my experience for anything. Look at the positive and not the negative. Looking back 20 years, it has made me truly value the friendship of my classmates. I do not think I would be where I am today had I not gone to BT.”

After visiting the school, she was most impressed with how class sizes have grown at the school. “I guess anything is larger than our graduating class of 12! They have built a theater/performing arts center since we were there. When I attended, they had a photography elective, but not much more. We did perform plays, but it was on the stage in the lunchroom! Now BT has a Creative Arts Department that includes dance, fashion and film...who would have ever guessed!”

Now, Rachel beams, “My brother (an alumni as well) sends his three girls to Beth Tfiloh. I am beyond excited for them to be attending this wonderful school. I am so thrilled for them for the opportunities that will be available to excel academically and socially. Beth Tfiloh is a superb school.”

Jeremy Diamond epitomizes the lifelong commitment many feel toward Beth Tfiloh as alumni. After marrying Chaya, having a daughter, Sunny (6), and achieving success as a managing director at the Diamond group, a real estate company, he is back at Beth Tfiloh.

Jeremy remembers his early years at BT with tenderness. “In 1985, when I was in fourth grade—my first year at Beth Tfiloh—my father died of cancer. I had a difficult time dealing with it and was also in a new school. My teachers, administrators, and friends were so helpful in doing whatever they could for myself and my older brother. The rabbis created a special morning minyan everyday so we could say Kaddish with 8th grade kids in the Weiner Board Room. My teachers worked closely with me to make sure I had all of the assignments. Mrs. Schorr was in constant contact as well and coordinated everything.”

As a student at Beth Tfiloh, Jeremy was part of the basketball team, track and field (discus throwing), and photography club. To this day, he is interested in fitness and photography. Some of his other passions include networking and involvement in charitable causes. He attributes these to his alma mater: “One of my aspirations is to continue in my active involvement in various Jewish causes and build on the foundation that was taught to me through my years at Beth Tfiloh. “I learned at Beth Tfiloh that Jewish people must be treated with the utmost respect, regardless of their religious affiliation - we are all One.”

This kind of care is what Jeremy remembers, prompting him to send his own daughter to the school. “What excites me the most about BT is my daughter's enthusiasm when she walks into the school and excitement when she tells about her action-packed day consisting of live animals in the science lab, learning how to read, and her jump-rope competition in BT Plus. She walks the same school hallways that I walked years ago.”

That Jeremy and his daughter can share the same feelings about their school is something truly special. Jeremy reflects, “As a Beth Tfiloh alumni and parent, I see first-hand how this incredible school instills Jewish values and responsibility in the students. The faculty is extremely attentive to each student's learning capability and focuses on their strengths. This contributes to building happy and confident Jewish leaders of tomorrow.”

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BT History: "Throughout the Years"

Beth Tfiloh Dahan Community School