Gesher Yehuda and Yeshivah Prep

Albert Einstein famously failed math as a child. It’s hard to imagine him struggling with the subject. Imagine the consternation of the grade school teacher who flunked him, when years later that little fish-out-of-water upended mathematical theory forever. Modern physics, our understanding of the world, and the United States’ development of the atomic bomb ahead of the Nazis are all attributed to Einstein’s maverick thinking.

In hindsight, it is easy for us to say that the young, Jewish German student thought out of the box, but like many students who think in an unusual way, how much self-doubt and sense of failure did Einstein have to plow through to become the man he grew to be? What if he were unable to confidently continue due  to the setbacks? How many other fish are denied the chance to contribute to their communities and the world because they couldn’t climb the typical classroom tree?

The start of a new school year excites many students. With new text books to read and blank notebooks to fill—the learning possibilities seem infinite. However, all too often there are students who suffer unduly in the classroom setting. Due to learning differences, they gain little from the lessons, lose confidence and they suffer ridicule from classmates who don’t understand their heightened confusion. As a result, some act out. Worse still, are those that retreat into themselves and remain quiet, unnoticed for much of the school year. What are these students learning? They spend year after year in resource rooms, receiving extra tutoring and a few hours of therapy, yet many of them are barely gaining literacy despite their parents’ and school’s best efforts.

Some students in this situation have enough determination, despite their initial confusion, to self-educate, develop a skill and succeed. This is what happened to many of our grandparents and great-grandparents, members of the immigrant generation over a century ago. If they couldn’t succeed in the classroom, they dropped out and joined the rat race. Today, however, it is acknowledged that if a student can’t navigate the modern classroom, his or her future narrows significantly. Studies show that adolescents with learning disabilities have twice the risk of emotional distress. As a result, many act out and are at risk for addiction, dropping out of community life and destructive behavior.

So isn’t it tragic when a 21st century student of ample support and resources, despite much effort, winds up labeled and limited in life? Just because his learning style is in the minority—let’s say he sees all the words jumbled on a page—why shouldn’t  he reach his full potential? Because a fear of admitting a learning difference is present, should he be left in a learning environment ill suited to his needs? No one wants to be stigmatized, but isn’t being an illiterate adult an even worse fate?

Luckily, in the Syrian Sephardic community old notions have fallen away. Parents embracing their children’s uniqueness are choosing a school prepared to immerse them in an atmosphere highly geared to meet their drive. There, they enjoy a full NY State curriculum, a full Judaic studies syllabus and at the high school level—college guidance. Truly a learning bridge, Gesher Yehuda Yeshiva gets these highly intelligent children from point A (isolated understanding) to point B (a full-blown love and competency of learning).

Rather than leaving their children’s future to chance, hoping they can glean something in a typical school, community members are giving their children the best chance at a comprehensive education. Gesher Yehuda prepares them for an increasingly competitive business environment. They do not have to forgo Judaic studies or their unique Sephardic culture to acquire these skills.

“Everybody is a genius, but if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid.”

Boutique schools, that promise warm groups of friends to “cure” a child’s bruised self-esteem, or small classes with feel-good skills in place of professionally trained staff, do families a disservice in the long run. Nothing can replace the confidence a solid educational base can instill in a child. Belaying this need for the learning-different student is really saying, G-d forbid, you give up on the child.

For nearly a quarter of a century, Gesher Yehuda Yeshiva and more recently,Yeshivah Preparatory High School have been preparing the community’s students who possess out of the box thinking. With a nurturing sense of encouragement, coupled with an unrelenting professional program, the confidence the students gain is more than a temporary social fix. Rather, it is the power of life-long learning at the students’ fingertips.

As ground breaking educator John Dewey said, “If we teach today’s students as we taught yesterday’s, we rob them of tomorrow.” This is not Jido’s school—but rather the one he wished was.

Parents concerned with the educational progress of their child are urged to contact Gesher Yehuda Yeshiva and Yeshivah Prep High School for a consultation at (718) 714-7400. Visit www.gesheryehuda.org today.