Spotlight on Jeremy Donath (FYHS '03)

Graduating Year: 2003

Current Location: Fairlawn, NJ

Profession: Rabbi of a Shul in Fairlawn and a high school rebbe at Maayanot

Tell us a little bit about your family: 

Married with 4 kids

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

We had such a wholesome experience where guys loved learning and sports. That was such a healthy place for me. Being a dormer wasn't lonely but a good, positive experience. Guys wanted to play ball and learn. I developed my best friends in high school. 

I wanted to be a pulpit rabbi all the way from high school. I love the impact a rebbe can have on a talmid. I learned that from Rabbi Weiss, who was so warm and caring. I remember after we beat the Academy, Rabbi Weiss, who didn't really care about sports, gave me and Avi Mehler a warm hug. I could see how much he cared. Also, Rabbi Seigel was so nice. I told him I never made a siyum and he pushed me to do it. He learned with me every Shabbos, and I made a siyum. Rabbi Polstein was also very warm and showed a lot of care for his talmidim. I felt very loved by the rebbeim. I also take these lessons in my career.

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

As a High School rebbe, I value the relationship piece. I try to be a rabbinic role model for others, like the Skokie rebbeim were for me. Get excited for your students' interests and passions and support them.

Advice for current students:

The friends you make there will last a lifetime. Especially the dormers. Jon Lamm was a year younger than me in the Yeshiva, and now he's a member of my shul. He gives me support. It's so nice to have that connection.

Anything else to share:

The leadership skills I developed on the basketball team were very important. Sid Singer helped bring out the best of us. I felt very seen by everyone at the Yeshiva.