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Rabbi Fendel ZT”L
Please see below the letter that was sent out to the HANC community
Dear HANC Family:
It is with profound sadness that we reflect on the news of the passing of Rabbi Meyer Fendel, z"l, the beloved Founder and Dean Emeritus of the Hebrew Academy of Nassau County. Rabbi Fendel’s visionary leadership and unwavering dedication laid the foundation of HANC, transforming it into the thriving institution we know today. His legacy is deeply embedded in the fabric of our school and continues to inspire generations.
In his book, Nine Men Wanted for a Minyan, Rabbi Fendel describes Nassau County, Long Island of the 1950’s as “an area in which Jewish life was dormant, a virtual spiritual wilderness.” But, after the destruction caused by the Holocaust, Rabbi Fendel felt a fierce determination to launch a rebuilding effort, to rebuild the lost centers of Torah learning and to ensure the continuity of the Jewish people. And so with the support of a handful of local Orthodox rabbis and pioneering lay leaders, Rabbi Fendel, and his beloved wife Goldie, founded HANC for the 1952-1953 school year, with 32 students.
Rabbi Fendel quickly realized that in order for HANC to flourish, an Orthodox synagogue was needed to provide support. Rabbi Fendel launched a prayer service in the HANC building which grew until it became the Young Israel of West Hempstead, which opened its doors in 1964, across the street from HANC. As Rabbi Fendel shared in his dedication speech, “the house of prayer and the house of study are complementary organs without which the community organism cannot exist.”
In addition to serving as the founding Rabbi of the Young Israel of West Hempstead, Rabbi Fendel served as the co-founder of the Long Island Commission of Rabbis, and Vice President of the National Conference of Hebrew Day School Principals. Rabbi Fendel worked tirelessly to ensure that all Jewish students had an opportunity to receive a Jewish education.
Even after making aliyah, Rabbi Fendel remained a steadfast guide and mentor for HANC students, opening his home to alumni and continuing to inspire all who sought his wisdom and warmth. His impact transcends generations, as the seeds he planted continue to bear fruit in the lives of our students, parents, and faculty.
Rabbi Fendel’s life was a testament to the power of vision and dedication. Today, as HANC proudly educates over 1000 Jewish students, we honor and celebrate Rabbi Fendel and the legacy he built. HANC continues to educate students with the same values and principles that Rabbi Fendel used to found HANC; a love of Torah learning, a commitment to doing mitzvot, a love of Medinat Yisrael and Eretz Yisrael, and rigorous academic excellence, in a warm and nurturing environment that provides students with support and enrichment. As such, HANC continues to serve as a model for a yeshiva day school education in Nassau County.
As a school community, we mourn the loss of a true giant and we are committed to honoring Rabbi Fendel’s legacy by continuing to build upon the foundation he created, ensuring that HANC remains a beacon of Torah and excellence for years to come.
May Rabbi Fendel’s memory be a source of blessing and inspiration for us all.
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Shark Tank
Mrs. Seeno’s eighth graders learned what it takes to be an entrepreneur while working on their Shark Tank Projects. Students created a pitch on a digital platform, a prototype, and pertinent information. Six groups advanced to the finals. There were so many great ideas that it was not an easy task to choose just six! On Thursday, December 5th, these six groups pitched their ideas in an assembly with HANC’s sharks: Mrs. Morey, Rabbi Hecht, and Ms. Rose. It was so close after viewing the finalists' ideas for the first time and asking questions. Jacob Shoenfeld, Henry Kaye, and Jonah Rosman won with their idea TriggerGuard. Congratulations to the winners. They received extra credit, and certificates, and will have lunch with Mrs. Seeno next week for their prize.
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HANC Shabbat in West Hempstead
Shabbat Parshat Vayeitzei was the annual HANC Shabbat in West Hempstead. Over the course of Shabbat, students had an oneg and also Shalosh seudot. In addition, Rabbi Hecht, Rabbi Harris, and Rabbi Dworetsky spoke at various Shuls from the community. We thank the following families for hosting: Morah Weiss’ Family, the Schoenfeld Family, the Goldschmiedt family, and the Rabiei Family
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Torah Bowl
The girls’ Torah Bowl team had a great meet yesterday. They proudly won competitions against Har Torah and Silverstein. They reviewed and knew their Parshiot so well and came very close in their games against Shulamith and North shore. We can't wait for our next competition in February.
The Middle School Boys had another phenomenal showing at Meet #2 for Torah Bowl, as they finished with a 3-1 record. Ethan Zelig, Netanel Rothberger, Hunter Zeitlin, and Max Goldberg answered a number of pivotol questions to help the team on their way to victory.
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American Dream Mall
The whole Middle School went to the American Dream Mall in honor of Chanukah. Every student had an opportunity to shop and go into the amusement park to enjoy the rides. The students could be seen in Bravo, eating Cinnabon, or shopping in It’s Sugar! The students had an amazing time! A big thank you to all of the chaperones!
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8th grade girls to ECC
The 8th-grade girls excitedly headed to the ECC for a special Chanukah celebration filled with joy and creativity. They decorated donuts with colorful sprinkles and icing, crafting festive treats to share. They joined the Nursery Aleph and Bet classes, playing games and sharing laughs with the younger children. The room buzzed with holiday cheer as the older girls connected with their younger peers, spreading the light and warmth of Chanukah through sweet moments and playful fun. Thank you to Mrs. Trudy Rubenstein for having us!
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Bar Mitzvah Workshop
On December 22, the seventh-grade boys together with fathers and grandfathers came together in school for an enjoyable Bar Mitzvah program. The morning began with an inspiring Davening. After Davening, the program continued with a delicious breakfast. Following breakfast, the participants came back to the Beit Medrash. Each boy was presented with their choice of a set of personalized Machzorim, a personalized Kiddush cup, or an Amazon gift card. In addition, the boys purchased a pair of Tefilin for a boy in Zion Orphanage for his Bar Mitzvah in Yerushalayim. We thank Mrs. Zeitlin for coordinating the Bar Mitzvah gifts this year and Mr. Zeitlin for speaking at the breakfast. Next, Rabbi Heshy Pincus, a noted Sofer, enthralled the crowd with a unique presentation about Tefillin. Rabbi Pincus went through the process of how Tefillin are made and many of the Halachot relating to Tefillin. One of the adults remarked that they had heard many Tefillin presentations but this one was the most amazing. Following this presentation, the participants returned to the gym to learn about Bar Mitzvah dancing and how to act during the Bar Mitzvah. The featured presenters were THE SHNITZEL GUYS. They are so entertaining and really know how to help the boys learn and have fun at the same time. This program definitely helped the boys get ready for the Bar Mitzvah season.
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MS Boys’ Chanukah Party
HANC Middle School kicked off Chanukah in spectacular fashion with an electrifying event hosted by the world-renowned Street Smarts Game Show and its legendary Host, Daniel Stroock. The excitement was palpable as students and staff gathered for a morning filled with trivia, laughter, and surprises.
The boys teamed up with their Rabbeim for a spirited grade-versus-grade competition. The game show blended classic trivia with buzzers and hilarious physical challenges, keeping everyone on their toes and engaged. One of the standout moments of the event was the highly anticipated Coke vs. Pepsi challenge. Students were tasked with guessing the soda preferences of HANC staff members based on video prompts. The room erupted with cheers and gasps as the answers were revealed. The biggest shocker of the day? Rabbi Hecht is a Pepsi fan! Who knew?!
This event brought the warmth and joy of Chanukah to life, highlighting the spirit of camaraderie and fun that makes HANC Middle School such a special place. Many thanks to Daniel Stroock and the Street Smarts Game Show for creating memories the students won’t soon forget.
Chag Sameach from HANC Middle School!
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Paint Day Event
The 8th-grade girls explored their artistic side with Squiggy painting, creating vibrant, abstract designs to celebrate Chanukah. Laughter and chatter filled the room as they swirled colorful paints into unique masterpieces, each reflecting their holiday spirit. The activity wrapped up on a sweet note, as the girls gathered to enjoy cookies and singing. Thank you to Mrs. Grossman for leading the painting.
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Eric Wilzig
Eric Wilzig, the incredible magician and mentalist, left us all in awe with his mind-blowing tricks. He also amazed us with his unbelievable date trick, leaving everyone speechless as he revealed answers no one thought he could possibly know. His performance was unforgettable, blending humor, mystery, and pure magic.
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Knee Hockey
Chanukah festivities at HANC Middle School reached a fever pitch during the highly anticipated annual Boys’ Knee Hockey Tournament. Held in the morning on the 6th day of Chanukah, the tournament brought students together for an action-packed and spirited competition that has become a hallmark of the HANC experience.
Mixed teams of 7th and 8th graders faced off in an intense series of matches, vying for the coveted championship title. The games were 4 minutes of fast-paced, dramatic moments that had lightning-quick goals and last-second saves. Each team brought its best effort, showcasing not only skill but also teamwork and sportsmanship. The final match was a 1-0 nail-biter, with the crowd cheering loudly for their classmates and friends. The winning team of Noam Koegel, Aryeh Peskin, and Levi Laub celebrated their victory with high-fives, and a little friendly bragging rights!
Special thanks go to all of the Rebbeim for helping to coordinate this awesome yearly event! The Knee Hockey Tournament not only provided an opportunity for friendly competition but also reinforced the joy and unity that Chanukah brings to the HANC community. It’s events like these that make Chanukah at HANC Middle School so memorable year after year.
Mazal Tov to all the participants and especially the champions of this year’s tournament! Looking forward to next year’s showdown!
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Tie Dye
The 7th-grade Chanukah tie-dye event was a swirl of color and creativity! Students gathered to design vibrant shirts and accessories, blending blues, yellows, and whites to reflect the festive spirit of the holiday. Laughter and excitement filled the room as they twisted, tied, and dyed their fabric, eagerly awaiting the reveal of their unique patterns. The event brought everyone together, celebrating the joy and light of Chanukah in a fun and artistic way.
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Rabbi Gottesman ZT”L’S Yahrzeit
Thursday night/Friday, December 26/27 marked the sixth Yahrzeit of our Dean Emeritus, Rabbi Moshe Gottesman ZT”L. To mark this occasion, Rabbi Gottesman’s son, Shlomo, came and spoke to the Middle School about Rabbi Gottesman, ZT”L. He spoke about 2 main things that Rabbi Gottesman always spoke about, namely Hakarat Hatov and having good friends. Shlomo spoke about how Rabbi Gottesman came to Yeshiva in Chicago as a very young boy and eventually came to HANC. The students listened very attentively to the lifelong lessons. The full video is below. It was also very special to have Mrs. Gottesman, Rabbi Gottesman ZT”L’s, wife in attendance. May his Neshama have an Aliya.
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UPCOMING EVENTS
January
6- Girls' Basketball vs. HAFTR - 5:30
8- Hockey vs. YDE - 7:30
9 - Girls' Basketball vs. YHT - 6:00
9 - Boys' Basketball vs. YHT - 7:30
10 - Asara B'Tevet - Fast Day - Regular 1:45 Dismissal
13 - Girls' Basketball vs. NSHA - 6:00
13 - Boys' Basketball vs. MDY - 7:30
13 - Hockey @ Flatbush - 7:30
16-26 Winter Break - No School
27 - School Resumes
29 - Hockey vs. YCQ - 7:00
30 - Boys' Basketball @ YHT - 7:00
31 - February 2 - Middle School Schoolwide Shabbaton @ Sheraton Edison
UPCOMING TESTS
January
6- 8th grade Mrs. Seeno SS test, 7th grade Chumash Test Morah Broder
7- 7/8th grade Science Test Mr. Puccio, 8th grade boys Gemara Test Rabbi Harris
8- 8th grade Chumash Test Morah Klein
9- 7th grade Morah Klein Navi Test, 7th grade Rabbi Panish Gemara Test
13- 7th grade Mrs. Morey Essay Test
14- 7th grade Rabbi Harris Navi Test, 7th grade Morah Broder Chumash Vocabulary Test, 8th Grade Rabbi Hecht Talmud Test, 7th grade Mrs. Galanti Science Test
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