A Look at MDYHS Alumni
As our graduates venture into the world beyond Magen David Yeshivah High School, we are proud to follow their journeys and celebrate the leaders they are becoming. we are reconnecting with members of the Class of 2025 to hear how their time at MDYHS shaped their paths, their passions, and their futures. From Ivy League economics to breaking barriers in the world of sports marketing, our alumni are already making their mark.
We are excited to spotlight two outstanding graduates. Philip Sherr is studying Economics and Finance at Princeton, where he is diving into the analytical and strategic foundations of global business. Jacqueline Cohen is studying Marketing at Macaulay Honors College at Baruch and is pursuing her goal of entering the field of sports marketing, a path not commonly pursued by women and one she is determined to trailblaze.
Join us as we catch up with these young leaders and learn how their MDYHS experiences helped launch them toward their dreams.
Philip Sherr
How did MDYHS help prepare you to be a proud Jewish student on campus?
Throughout my time in Magen David Yeshivah, we were constantly being taught to be a proud and strong Jew. Through minyan morning and afternoon, special programming on the holidays, and Rabbi Mansour’s weekly Siha (Torah talk), Magen David helped instill a Jewish background that would remain with us forever. It was intertwined in every class that we took, both secular and Judaic.
I have made it a point so far to keep that Jewish identity with me at Princeton. I pray in minyan at the Chabad every morning, get involved in the Jewish organizations and events on campus, and continue to prioritize my Jewish values. Magen David gave me the foundation of Jewish traditions that I carry proudly on campus.
What skills, such as study habits, writing, time management, or critical thinking, did you gain at MDYHS that you use now?
During my time in high school, I was a part of Magen David’s Scholars Program, the varsity basketball team, and the SBH Youth Committee. Between the workload of the Scholars Program and my extracurriculars, time management became a big focus of mine. I learned how to stay organized, how to balance my tasks, and to stay efficient while also leaving time for some fun. These are skills you need in order to have success in college.
Although it was not easy at first, through learning by doing, Magen David taught me how to have a good balance and solid time management, which are critical skills for college and beyond.
How did MDYHS’s extracurriculars, clubs, sports, or leadership opportunities help you grow?
One thing that is special about Magen David is the number of clubs and opportunities it offers. MDY’s extracurriculars range from sports teams to science and business clubs. Being part of the basketball team taught me discipline and responsibility, and that hard work leads to success.
I was part of an advisory group that met with Dr. Vitow to discuss topics around the school, including the plans for the new high school building. I was also elected to MDY’s student government. The clubs at MDY are meant to teach you how to be a part of a team, and to lead and communicate with people.
Every senior in Magen David gets a unique internship opportunity in a field they are interested in through the NEXT program. NEXT helped show me and my friends what it is like to have a real world job and to work in a professional environment. Some students were even offered full time jobs after impressing during their internship.
Through NEXT and the other opportunities at Magen David, you learn important real world skills like leadership, collaboration, and communication. You also get a valuable chance to intern in a professional setting and see what life after school could look like.
How did the MDYHS College Guidance Office support your application process?
I do not think I would have been able to get into Princeton University without the help of the College Guidance Office at MDY, specifically Ms. Laura Miller and Ms. Seloi Beckford. They started working with me in my sophomore year, showing me how to build a strong profile and planning a timeline for the coming years.
The college guidance counselors spend countless hours helping students with whatever they need and are always available to meet and discuss anything. I worked on many essays and applications with Ms. Miller, and she helped refine every detail to make my application stand out. She helped me with my AP courses and my SAT process, and she showed me whom to meet.
The College Guidance Office at MDY makes sure that you leave no stone unturned, gives you the best chances possible, and provides all the resources you need to complete the application process.
If you could describe MDYHS in one sentence now that you’re in college, what would you say?
To me, Magen David feels like family, a home built with warmth and community where the faculty believes in you and is invested in you, all rooted in Jewish tradition that shapes who you become.
Jacqueline Cohen
How did MDYHS help you discover your strengths or interests?
The MDYHS NEXT internship program at the end of my senior year helped me discover my interest in sports marketing. Sports marketing focuses on promoting sports teams, athletes, events, and products connected to sports, as well as using sports to market non sports brands. I interned at Sparx Marketing Group, where I was able to gain real experience. I enjoyed it so much, and I even decided to change my major in college to marketing.
How did the AP, honors, or elective courses you took at MDYHS help you transition to college-level coursework?
The AP classes at MDYHS really helped prepare me for some of my difficult college classes. They also gave me credits for classes that I otherwise would have had to take. Having already entered with all of the credits from my APs, I was able to take classes toward my major.
This semester, I am taking Business 2000 where I am learning different aspects of the business world, including management and leadership basics and marketing principles. While it is an introductory course, it is giving me an understanding of the major areas of business and how they work together. As a marketing major, it is amazing to see how much creativity and strategy go into every area of business.
How did MDYHS’s extracurriculars, clubs, sports, or leadership opportunities help you grow?
Being a part of the Girls Volleyball Team at MDYHS, while also being a student, helped me become well rounded. It prepared me to balance the things that are important to me now that I am in college, including Torah classes, family, and friends.
What values from MDYHS do you find yourself carrying into college life?
MDYHS instilled in me strong bitahon (trust in G-D), and it is very comforting to know in this new college environment that I can always rely on G-D.
If you could describe MDYHS in one sentence now that you’re in college, what would you say?
MDYHS is my second home, and it is a place that inspired me to grow both spiritually and academically.
