Spotlight on Allon Bruckenstein (FYHS '85)

Graduating Year: 1985

Current Location: Neve Yaakov

Profession: School psychologist for towns near Jerusalem, and therapist for children and young adults in Jerusalem.

Tell us a little bit about your family: 

Married with 7 kids, all married and over 20 grandchildren

What is your favorite memory/(memories) from FYHS/HTC/Kayitz:

I was zoche to be there in high school, Beis Midrash, and married in the kollel.

I spent a lot of time in the arcade at the Holiday Inn across the street. I'm not proud of that, but it's a good memory! The racing game actually prepared me for driving here in Israel. I also have great memories of good friendships. When I got to yeshiva in Israel, I realized how amazing the food was at Skokie. In Beis Midrash, we had a great time learning, especially with the Kollel members. I became very close with Rabbi Morgenstein, Rabbi Zev Cohen, Rabbi Cooperman and many others. I forged many close relationships with so many people during my time there. So many good memories. One Simchas Torah I got very tired and went to lie down to regain strength. Someone ran in to the room, saying that I was needed in the Beis Midrash. I came in and the whole place was singing "Allon where are you" (to the tune of “Ana Avda” we sing by hakafot)! It was all very fun. Another special memory is when Rabbi Isenberg and I started the Motzai Shabbos learning program when I was in Beis Midrash.

Please share a lesson/takeaway from your time at FYHS/HTC/Kayitz:

I was once in the Beis Midrash on a Sunday afternoon and there was the Taste of Kosher Chicago in the field next to the Yeshiva. I stayed to learn, but many didn't. One guy asked me why I wasn't outside? I said I think learning is more important. He said Rabbi Morgenstern said we should be at the Taste. I said that he said we are allowed to be there, not that we SHOULD be there! People hear what they want to hear.

Advice for current students:

Your experience and what you gain and get out of Skokie is what you make out of it. Don't rely on other people to make it for you. When we returned from Eretz Yisroel to the Beis Midrash, we made a concerted effort to make it into a serious makom Torah.