Spotlight on Jacob Roth (FYHS '09)

Graduating Year: 2009

Current Location: West Rogers Park

Profession: Rebbe at Arie Crown

Tell us a little bit about your family: Married with 4 kids

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

I remember our opening trips to Sluggers. Rabbi Kaminetzky made a game room with a pool table, a Nintendo Game Cube, and other fun stuff. He made us extra food for Shavuos for the guys in his shiur. He did it just for guys who were learning, so much care was put in. Rabbi Schechter got me into learning. Lots of roughing around, but it was so much fun. He turned me onto Rav Avaham Schorr and Rav Moshe Wolfson, which I still learn today. I had tons of various jobs in Kayitz. I was there for 14 summers! We bought actual goats for color war mascots and left them in the forest. We also painted them. 

In Beis Midrash, I had Rabbi Sussman. He was one of the best Rebbeim I ever had. Imagine watching Michael Jordan just shooting around in the gym. This is what it was like to watch him learn; it was a spectator sport. So much clarity in learning, very organized.

I was also close with Rabbi Zimmerman. I still learn night seder with him.

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

Once I became a counselor, I was turned on to helping students grow. This led me to want to become a rebbe. This all stemmed from the Yeshiva and Kayitz. I had role models to look up to. I was also a dorm counselor and this taught me the value of helping someone. There is nothing like helping someone learn. I spent a ton of time in the Yeshiva, probably about 9 years total. I love wearing my Yeshiva Swag and am so proud to be an alum.

Advice for current students:

Appreciate what you have. Any moment of your life is the oldest you will ever be and the youngest you will ever be. Grab the Rebbeim for as much as you can and talk to them. Also, the library has a treasure trove of seforim, use them. Tons of resources.