Spotlight on Pinchas Wolman (FYHS '97)

Graduating Year: 1997

Current Location: Teaneck, NJ

Profession: I'm a personal trainer for over 20 years. 

Tell us a little bit about your family: 

Married with 3 kids

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

I loved that being a dormer. I had the autonomy to go out to the mall and live a normal life. It was cool to be in Yeshiva but be able to go see a movie (I remember seeing The Mask my Freshman year in theaters!). 

The rabbis were the heart and soul of Skokie and I have so many fond memories of them.

Rabbi Polstein helped me as a surrogate father when I had a minor health issue that needed to be addressed there as opposed to in my hometown. My mother got sick when I was a senior and finances were tight. Rabbi Kushner in the finance office worked to make Skokie affordable for my family in those trying times. Rabbi Rand, sensitive to my situation, gave me a significant sum to have for spending money for my year in Israel, acknowledging that part of the year abroad is to have fun with friends. I remember Rabbi Ginsparg jumping up and down on the table during megillah reading. The English teachers were all characters and I still entertain my kids with those stories about them.

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

High school is a tough time for pretty much everyone.  We're insecure and trying to figure out who we are and who we want to be. Boys like to joke around,  one-upping each other,  but lines get crossed and feelings get hurt on both sides. I truly regret much of my poor behavior relating to my classmates. Don't look to get friends,  look to truly be a friend to others.  Remember that what others think of you is not nearly as important as what Hashem thinks of you.  We all do the best we can with what we're given. 

Advice for current students:

Take advantage of the Gemara learning as it's important to gain those skills. Pick a mesechta and try to finish it over the 4 years of high school

Anything else to share:

I felt Skokie taught me how to be autonomous and I learned how to be on my own. I also saw all the chesed the Rebbeim did and really appreciated it. Skokie can be a boy's great home away from home.