Spotlight on Deon Nathan (FYHS '97)

Graduating Year: 1997

Current Location: North Miami Beach, FL

Tell us a little bit about your family: Married with 7 kids and 2 grandkids.

Profession: Executive Director of Yeshiva Elementary School

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

I came in 10th grade into Rabbi Cardash’s shiur. I was able to then move up to Rabbi Shuster (he made aliya after my year). I had Rabbi Twersky, Rabbi Weiss, and Rabbi Segal. All were great!

I loved my time so much there. I came not knowing how to read a word of Gemara and left having finished masechtot. The Yeshiva gave me the tools to continue to learn, which has fundamentally changed my life. I worked in Kayitz and went back for Beis Midrash. 

Many of my classmates are still involved in the institution like Rabbi Scheinfeld and Rabbi Zimmerman. Rabbi Zisook even used to come visit me when I lived in Israel and he was in KBY.

I still have many connections there. Only many fond memories.

It was an overall very impactful part of my life. 

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

The students who graduate from Skokie come from an incredibly diverse range of backgrounds and levels of religious observance, which is part of what makes the Yeshiva so unique. In my graduating class of 43 guys, there was a remarkable variety of religious affiliations and perspectives. Yet despite those differences, every single student knew that the rebbeim genuinely loved and cared about him. That ability to connect with each student, regardless of his background or religious outlook, is something I rarely see in other institutions. It’s truly what sets Skokie apart.

Advice for current students:

Take advantage of all the rebbeim there, even the Rosh Yeshiva. Create a relationship with as many of them as you can, it will have an impact for the rest of your lives.