Spotlight on Simcha Freedman (FYHS '06)

Graduating Year: 2006

Current Location: Chicago, IL

Profession: Physicist working in Biotech R&D

Tell us a little bit about your family: 

Married with 4 kids

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

One favorite is Senior year Torah Bowl. It came down to the wire in the final and I answered the question before the Rebbe finished reading it to pull off the win. Overall, I loved meeting and developing friendships with kids from other schools in Chicago and all over the country. We had really nice groups from Cleveland in particular, who I’ve remained friends with since. 

I also really appreciated the combination of strong limudei kodesh with college prep that the Yeshiva offered. In limudei kodesh, I received great training in lumdus, from Rabbi Kaminetsky and Rabbi Weiss’s shiurim where we were introduced to learning sugyos with Rishonim and Acharonim, to Rabbi Twersky and Rabbi Segal’s shiurim where we were encouraged to think deeply, understand the sevaros, and develop our own opinions about what the gemara meant. In general studies, the curriculum included APs, which ultimately provided me with a semester’s worth of college credits. I really enjoyed Rabbi Weiss’s math track in particular. Besides the solid foundation he provided me with for a career in math and science, he taught me how to educate by demonstrating sincere concern for helping students understand complex topics. 

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

To make Limud haTorah a part of one’s life - doesn’t have to be everything, but has to be there. 

Advice for current students:

Branch out and take advantage of all the opportunities: meet new people, take hard classes, join interesting clubs.