Spotlight on Ari Bajtner (FYHS '00)

Graduating Year: 2000

Current Location: Skokie, IL

Tell us a little bit about your family: Married with 3 kids

Profession: Director of Accounting for a healthcare company

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

Hanging out in the dorms was so special. I went to Yehivas Hakayitz a couple of years before I got to the Yeshiva and I always felt it was just an extension of Kayitz. There were so many institutional teachers there, including even ones my father had as teachers. So many classics like Mr. Passman, Mr. Peterson, and Mr. Rosenbaum who were all entertaining.

Because we were pre cell phones, we just hung out all day with our friends. We got so close. 

Our Senior class trip was so fun. We raised a ton of money and went to Phoenix. In the end, we were a small group of guys, as a lot of guys dropped off over the years, but our kesher with each other grew over time. 

We had such a chill vibe. There was no hazing, and everyone was just really nice.

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

The real takeaway was that you can be an important part of your Jewish community without picking a side. They gave us a strong foundation academically and in yidishkite. You can use that to filter everything in life through those fundamental lessons. 

In today's society, there is no such thing as established truth and having a strong foundation is extremely important. The Yeshiva did a great job teaching us how to think critically and choose a path.

Advice for current students:

Take Gemara learning more seriously so you can learn to think more critically. What you learn now will set the tone for the rest of your life. Take it seriously.