Gala Event Journal

M rs. Sandy Cohen hails from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. She began her the summer of 1987 with her husband, Rabbi Abba Cohen, Vice President of Government Affairs and Washington Director of Agudath Israel of America. Mrs. Cohen, who had taught in HAFTR of Five Towns for ten years, was looking forward to spending a year home with her children when she received a phone call from Rabbi Benjamin Steinberg, zt”l offering her a positon in math — thus ending her dream of a “sabbatical.” Mrs. Cohen and Math are synonymous at the middle school. She tackles her Math instruction with wit and creativity, making a subject that is difficult for many fun and rewarding. The students adore Mrs. Cohen. They know that she cares about more than their academic achievements; she cares about them as individuals. She dances with them at chagigahs, chaperones trips, dresses up for Purim, and dramatically and comically performs in teacher plays. When asked what she loves best about teaching in Bais Yaakov, Mrs. Cohen responded, “I really love going to school and teaching the students. I love the interaction with the students and trying to impart math concepts and understanding of the topics. I always feel gratified when I see personal growth and confidence in the students. I also feel that Bais Yaakov has an amazing faculty in the Middle School- there is a lot of warmth and camaraderie. I have such deep respect and admiration for Rabbi Hexter, Mrs. Horowitz and Mrs. Sherman and feel fortunate to work with them.” It is clear that Mrs. Cohen and Bais Yakov have a mutual admiration for each other, which benefits both the students and the school. Mrs. Sandy Cohen MRS. MICHELLE JAKOBOVITS A”H CHINUCH HABANOS AWARD Mrs. Michelle Jakobovits A”H was an exemplary role model to the middle school students, faculty and staff; her ever present smile a reflection of her true simchas hachaim. She was a selfless woman of tremendous strength, humility and optimism. With her trademark equanimity and flexibility, Mrs. Jakobovits rendered challenging situations manageable and calm. She exuded warmth which, coupled with her ayin tova, enabled her to foster deep connections with students and colleagues. Her chesed, simcha and steadfast emunah have left an indelible mark on Bais Yaakov. -43- education in Hillel Academy of Pittsburgh and graduated from the prestigious Brandeis University with a degree in Psychology. Math was always her passion and while teaching in public school, she received her math teaching license for grades seven through twelve. Mrs. Cohen moved to Baltimore in