Spotlight on Jacob Rischall (FYHS '09)

Graduating Year: 2009

Current Location: Skokie, IL

Profession: I work in Corporate Finance and am the Capital Controller at Baxter International.

Tell us a little bit about your family:

 I am married and actually get the opportunity to also learn at the Skokie Kollel with Rabbi Shmuel Oren once a week.

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

I loved Mr. Passman’s History classes and have been able to continue talking about the good old times at Skokie Valley. Mr. Feifel's class in Economics sparked my interest in the field and ultimately led me to get a degree in Economics. Lastly, I was privileged to have a chavrusa with Rabbi Dr. Pinchus Zusis for multiple years to study Gemara. In addition to studying I was given a wonderful mentor to this day. The camaraderie with the boys and friendships were so special. Playing sports with them. The formal and non-formal education was good. Going to school in a structured environment taught me how to have fun but also work within a system.

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

Skokie is very structured as to how learn and do schoolwork, which taught me how to do the details of life well. However, being in that environment with so many unique friends helped understand that each person is unique and within that framework how we expressed our individuality to be our best self. 

Advice for current students:

The world is going through a lot of change, and what drives success is hard work and curiosity. Curiosity will help you learn new things such as new Torah ideas or orbital mechanics, but it will require hard work to become even competent and dedication to become a master.