Slideshow from Mercaz Graduation
 

Mercaz High School graduation took place on April 13th in the Marcus Chapel. The beautiful ceremony celebrated the graduation of 15 seniors who completed their studies at the Mercaz High School, which meets Sunday evenings in the Adath Israel Religious school building.

Mercaz is open to Jewish teens in the 8th - 12th grades. Contact Director Dara Wood for more information at 792-5082 ext 104.

Below are excerpts from each graduate which were included in the Mercaz graduation program. You can read the students' own words how Mercaz helped them grow their Jewish identities, build friendships, and continue their Jewish education.

Michael Backman (Adath Israel)
My name is Michael Backman and I have definitely benefited from Mercaz. I learned a lot of more in depth things about the torah from my teachers. I especially enjoyed my classes with Rabbi Travis. I will continue to learn more about Jewish Identity next year at the University of Pittsburgh.

Jacob Bergman (Adath Israel)
Through Mercaz I have learned a diverse amount of knowledge about Judaism. I am happy to have brought myself closer to my religion and what I believe in. I hope to carry my gained knowledge throughout my life. I am glad to have had classes with Rabbi Wise and to know the values with which he teachers. Mercaz was an excellent five year experience which I will cherish forever.

Meryl Meisner (Adath Israel)
I can actually say that I'm happy my parents pushed me into going to Mercaz these last five years. yes, it meant giving up my Sunday night homework slot to two hours of sitting in a classroom, but I feel that it has kept my knowledge of Judaism intact. Mercaz has taught me new things about the Jewish belief on heaven and hell, why the kashurt rules are what they are, brushed up on my Hebrew a little bit and much more. It's very important to me that I retain what I have learned because I want to be able to explain the Jewish religion to anyone who asks about it.

Kean Mervis (Ohav Shalom)
Mercaz has taught me much about a wide variety of topics and Jewish perspectives. I am graduating from Sycamore High School in the spring. I plan on studying engineering at The Ohio State University in the fall.

Isaac Privitera (Adath Israel)
My name is Isaac Privitera. I am a senior at Walnut Hills High and a National Merit Finalist. I play rugby and this year I am captain of Walnut Hill's rugby club. My Jewish identity is something that I have continually developed since my first days of learning the alef-bet. My past five years at Mercaz have allowed me to put into perspective my religious beliefs. I will always remember Sunday nights as well spent.

Seth Rau (Northern Hills Synagogue)
Instead of spending my Sunday nights watching TV or just wasting time, I have spent four productive years at Mercaz. I have learned so much more about my Jewish identity and about my culture. Besides fulfilling requirements for USY, the people at Mercaz have added a new dimension to my life. In the coming months, I will be graduating from the Seven Hills Schools, and I will attend Tufts University in the Fall.

Jessica Reiser (Adath Israel)
Mercaz Rocks! What a great two hours a week! I have learned so much over these past 5 years. I love to go and hang out with my friends every week. It is a great time to catch up! I really have learned a lot and I will miss all my friends next year when I'm in Israel!

Benjamin Robinson (B'nai Tzedek)
In my five years at Mercaz I have been exposed to so many things. From Kabbalah to Music to Israeli culture to world issues, Mercaz has offered me an opportunity to discover the Jewish perspective on all of these things. I have learned more about myself and plan on taking my Mercaz experience wherever I go in the future. I am thankful for all the efforts my teachers, friends, and parents have made to further my Jewish education.

Jonathan Robinson (B'nai Tzedek)
I cam to Mercaz a youth and now when I graduate I will have become a man. I learned, laughed and I hope became a better person along the way. If it had not been for teachers like Rabbi Travis, I would not be the person I am today. Next year as I go to college I will be sure to take forth the lessons I have learned at Mercaz with me.

Elana Satin (Northern Hills Synagogue)
The best thing about Mercaz is definitely the friendships I've made with Jewish kids from other synagogues. Without Mercaz I probably would not have met these people who I have now become really good friends with. I am graduating from Walnut Hills and will attend Case Western Reserve University in the Fall.

Morris Satin (Northern Hills Synagogue)
Going to Mercaz every Sunday night for the past five years has allowed me to keep in touch with my Jewish identity through a continuous high-school level education. I have been able to keep in touch with my Jewish friends from across the city and I have gained a sense of my place in the Jewish community. I am graduating from both Mercaz and Walnut Hills High School this year and will be going to Case Western next year.

Brooke Siegel (Adath Israel)
The two hours a week that I have spent at Mercaz are so memorable that a short paragraph cannot describe it. Five years went by so fast. Rabbi Travis had the best classes. I will be graduating from Sycamore High School and I am going to West Virginia University next year.

Aaron Slovin (Ohav Shalom)
During my time at Mercaz, I have learned a lot. I feel I have learned so much about my Jewish identity. Mercaz has been a great place for me to continue my Jewish education. Mercaz has definitely made me want to pursue my Jewish education further.

Rebecca Wood (Adath Israel)
My favorite class at Mercaz has been an art class that I took with Kathy Wise. I learned a lot of details about the holidays that I didn't know and had a lot of fun. I have also really enjoyed Senior Seminar this semester. We had some great discussions and came together as a class to create our graduation program. Mercaz helped me to explore different aspects of Judaism and helped to further my Jewish identity.

Lauren Zakem (Adath Israel)
At Mercaz I have made so many friends who I will keep for a lifetime. Also, the food at snack is amazing! I am graduating from Indian Hill High School and will be attending Ohio University in the fall. Overall, Mercaz is the best way to spend every Sunday night during the school year!

 

 

 

---