United Hebrew Institute's Eighth Grade Graduates
(L to R): Joshua Greenberg, Shani Estikangi, Joshua Rutta, Aaron Pernikoff, and Avi Newcome-Beill
Graduation exercises for UHI’s Eighth Grade Class of 2008 were held on June 12 in the Max Rosen Auditorium of UHI. Graduate Joshua Rutta of Scranton gave the Welcome Address with greetings given by Board of Directors Chairman, David Schwager, Esq. Rabbi Nachman Bruce of Congregation Ohav Zedek and Rabbi Larry Kaplan of Temple Israel offered prayers and well wishes to the graduates, families and friends.
Rabbi Binyomin Mazer presented Aaron Pernikoff with the Middot Tovat (Outstanding Character) award and Mrs. Jewel Jacobs, Librarian, presented Joshua Rutta with the Accelerated Reader Award. Mrs. Taly Kornfeld, PTA President, honored the graduates by presenting them with their own Stone edition of the Artsroll Bible.
Presentations were eloquently made by the graduates. Shani Estikangi of Kingston gave the D’var Torah (inspirational message derived from religious texts), Aaron Pernikoff of Kingston and Joshua Greenberg of Wilkes-Barre gave thanks to the parents of the graduates and Avi Newcome-Beill of Kingston and Aaron Pernikoff thanked all of the UHI teachers. Joshua Rutta and Shani Estikangi then spoke of friendship and the UHI experience with Avi-Newcome Beill presenting the Classmate Slide Show and Joshua Greenberg, the Farewell Address.
David Schwager, Esq. and Rabbi Raphael Nemetsky, Principal, presented the graduates with their diplomas and a reception in honor of the graduates was held immediately after the ceremony. The pianist for the graduation exercises was Sandra Himelstein with a special presentation on the history of UHI given by Mrs. Sophie “Geveret” Pernikoff.