Frisch School
Encyclopedia
The Frisch School, founded in 1972 by Rabbi Menachem Meier and Alfred Frisch, is a coeducation
al yeshiva
(Jewish day school
) secondary school
located in Paramus
, New Jersey
, which adheres to the tenets and practices of Modern Orthodox Judaism
. The school is named for founder Alfred Frisch who owned the land on which the original campus was situated prior to the school's inception in 1972.
The school has been accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools
Commission on Secondary Schools since 1992. Its accreditation expires November 1, 2012.
As of the 2009-10 school year, the school had an enrollment of 650 students and 80.5 classroom teachers (on an FTE
basis), for a student–teacher ratio of 8.1.
and renovated what had been an office building, constructing an 25000 square feet (2,322.6 m²) addition. The campus includes 34 classrooms, a learning center, six science laboratories, a state-of-the-art gymnasium, a two-story library, music and art studios, a Beit Midrash, and a publication room. Outdoors, the campus has a softball field, two tennis courts, a basketball-hockey, and a soccer field encircled by a running track. Indoors, the building is wired for a modern computer network and cutting-edge technology.
The school formerly resided at E. 243 Frisch Court in Paramus, on a 7 acres (28,328 m²) plot of land. The Frisch Court property was leased to the girls yeshiva high school of Bat Torah.
Rabbi Menachem Meier served as the school's first principal and was responsible for the school's early development. Rabbi Saul Zucker succeeded Rabbi Meier and served as principal for one year before Dr. Kalman Stein, the current principal, took the job in 1999. Under Dr. Stein's direction, the school has experienced tremendous growth.
In 1975, The Frisch School's self-study team was required to “formulate a statement of philosophy for the yeshiva.” This statement has remained unchanged. The statement describes The Frisch School as a “unique educational institution... to promote the values and study of the Judaic heritage as defined and evolved in the [Jewish] Written and Oral Law.” In addition, the school promotes the “wellsprings of Judaic values...[which] are: (a) the dignity of the Human Being... [and] (b) The sanctity of the Jewish people.”
(the Pentateuch), Nach (Nevi'im
"Prophets" and Ketuvim
"Writings"), and Talmud
(Jewish Law).
In 11th grade, students have the option of either furthering a third year of a language or taking a different elective. Five Advanced Placement Program
(AP) courses are offered to 11th grade students. They are: AP Physics B
, AP Art History
, AP Statistics
, AP United States History
, and AP English Language and Composition
.
In 12th grade, as in 11th grade, a student may continue with the language which they had previously been taking at the AP Level. Electives available to 12th graders are: AP Macroeconomics
, AP Biology
, AP Chemistry
, AP English Literature and Composition
, AP Psychology
, AP European History
, AP Physics C
, AP Calculus AB, AP Calculus BC, AP Statistics
, Latin Literature; Music Theory, AP Studio Art
, AP Art History
, AP Computer Science A, Psychology, Astronomy
, and more.
As of the 2010-2011 year, Frisch has added MSG Varsity, a student-designed program that films games and are available on Cablevision channel 14 and 614.
(boys) & Perfect Pita (girls) Thursday Night Mishmar, Debate, Model United Nations, Model Congress, Political Science, Book Club, Film Club, Mishmar (bible studies club),Science Club , Engineering Club, Chess, Junior Statesmen of America, Israel Action Committee (A.I.S.A.C.), Darfur Action Committee, Finance Club, Yoga Club, Choir, Acting the Classics, Poetry Club, Comic Book Club, Dance Team, College Bowl, Mock Trial, Community Service (Chessed) Club, Linking the Generations (L.T.G.), Photography Club, Philosophy Club, Torah Bowl, Chidon HaTanach (International Bible Contest), Pre-Med Society, The Geek Squad, and many others.
. While students do miss some class because of Shiriyah, practically all classes are still held and students are expected to attend.
Coeducation
Mixed-sex education, also known as coeducation or co-education, is the integrated education of male and female persons in the same institution. It is the opposite of single-sex education...
al yeshiva
Yeshiva
Yeshiva is a Jewish educational institution that focuses on the study of traditional religious texts, primarily the Talmud and Torah study. Study is usually done through daily shiurim and in study pairs called chavrutas...
(Jewish day school
Jewish day school
A Jewish day school is a modern Jewish educational institution that is designed to provide Jewish children with both a Jewish and a secular education in one school on a full time basis, hence its name of "day school" meaning a school that the students attend for an entire day and not on a part time...
) secondary school
Secondary education in the United States
In most jurisdictions, secondary education in the United States refers to the last six or seven years of statutory formal education. Secondary education is generally split between junior high school or middle school, usually beginning with sixth or seventh grade , and high school, beginning with...
located in Paramus
Paramus, New Jersey
Paramus is a borough in Bergen County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough population was 26,342. A suburb of New York City, Paramus is located between 15–20 miles northwest of Midtown Manhattan and approximately west of Upper Manhattan.Paramus is one of...
, New Jersey
New Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
, which adheres to the tenets and practices of Modern Orthodox Judaism
Modern Orthodox Judaism
Modern Orthodox Judaism is a movement within Orthodox Judaism that attempts to synthesize Jewish values and the observance of Jewish law, with the secular, modern world....
. The school is named for founder Alfred Frisch who owned the land on which the original campus was situated prior to the school's inception in 1972.
The school has been accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools
Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools
The Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools is a voluntary, peer-based, non-profit association dedicated to educational excellence and improvement through peer evaluation and accreditation...
Commission on Secondary Schools since 1992. Its accreditation expires November 1, 2012.
As of the 2009-10 school year, the school had an enrollment of 650 students and 80.5 classroom teachers (on an FTE
Full-time equivalent
Full-time equivalent , is a unit to measure employed persons or students in a way that makes them comparable although they may work or study a different number of hours per week. FTE is often used to measure a worker's involvement in a project, or to track cost reductions in an organization...
basis), for a student–teacher ratio of 8.1.
Campus
For the 2007-08 school year, Frisch moved to a new campus at 120 West Century Road in Paramus. Frisch purchased this site, 14 acres (56,656 m²) of land and an 115000 square feet (10,683.8 m²) office building, from Hewlett-PackardHewlett-Packard
Hewlett-Packard Company or HP is an American multinational information technology corporation headquartered in Palo Alto, California, USA that provides products, technologies, softwares, solutions and services to consumers, small- and medium-sized businesses and large enterprises, including...
and renovated what had been an office building, constructing an 25000 square feet (2,322.6 m²) addition. The campus includes 34 classrooms, a learning center, six science laboratories, a state-of-the-art gymnasium, a two-story library, music and art studios, a Beit Midrash, and a publication room. Outdoors, the campus has a softball field, two tennis courts, a basketball-hockey, and a soccer field encircled by a running track. Indoors, the building is wired for a modern computer network and cutting-edge technology.
The school formerly resided at E. 243 Frisch Court in Paramus, on a 7 acres (28,328 m²) plot of land. The Frisch Court property was leased to the girls yeshiva high school of Bat Torah.
History
Founded in 1972, by Abraham Kremer, Marvin Eiseman, Rabbi Menacham Meier and Alfred & Ethel Frisch, with a mere dozen students, the school has since grown to include over 650 students. The class of 2005 consisted of over 150 students, a number which is rapidly rising. The class of 2007 had 165 students. The school began accepting smaller numbers of students into the freshman class, beginning with the 2010-2011 school year.Rabbi Menachem Meier served as the school's first principal and was responsible for the school's early development. Rabbi Saul Zucker succeeded Rabbi Meier and served as principal for one year before Dr. Kalman Stein, the current principal, took the job in 1999. Under Dr. Stein's direction, the school has experienced tremendous growth.
In 1975, The Frisch School's self-study team was required to “formulate a statement of philosophy for the yeshiva.” This statement has remained unchanged. The statement describes The Frisch School as a “unique educational institution... to promote the values and study of the Judaic heritage as defined and evolved in the [Jewish] Written and Oral Law.” In addition, the school promotes the “wellsprings of Judaic values...[which] are: (a) the dignity of the Human Being... [and] (b) The sanctity of the Jewish people.”
Courses
For the first two years at Frisch, a student's courses are set according to the school's core curriculum. This includes, for both years: A language (Spanish, French, or Latin), A hard science (Biology in 9th grade and chemistry in 10th grade), English, History (World History in 9th grade and American History in 10th grade), Mathematics, Hebrew Language, TorahTorah
Torah- A scroll containing the first five books of the BibleThe Torah , is name given by Jews to the first five books of the bible—Genesis , Exodus , Leviticus , Numbers and Deuteronomy Torah- A scroll containing the first five books of the BibleThe Torah , is name given by Jews to the first five...
(the Pentateuch), Nach (Nevi'im
Nevi'im
Nevi'im is the second of the three major sections in the Hebrew Bible, the Tanakh. It falls between the Torah and Ketuvim .Nevi'im is traditionally divided into two parts:...
"Prophets" and Ketuvim
Ketuvim
Ketuvim or Kəṯûḇîm in actual Biblical Hebrew is the third and final section of the Tanak , after Torah and Nevi'im . In English translations of the Hebrew Bible, this section is usually entitled "Writings" or "Hagiographa"...
"Writings"), and Talmud
Talmud
The Talmud is a central text of mainstream Judaism. It takes the form of a record of rabbinic discussions pertaining to Jewish law, ethics, philosophy, customs and history....
(Jewish Law).
In 11th grade, students have the option of either furthering a third year of a language or taking a different elective. Five Advanced Placement Program
Advanced Placement Program
The Advanced Placement program is a curriculum in the United States and Canada sponsored by the College Board which offers standardized courses to high school students that are generally recognized to be equivalent to undergraduate courses in college...
(AP) courses are offered to 11th grade students. They are: AP Physics B
AP Physics B
AP Physics B is an Advanced Placement science course that is divided into nine different sections: Newtonian Mechanics, Electricity and Magnetism, Fluid Mechanics and Thermal Physics, Waves and Optics, and Atomic and Nuclear Physics. The course is equivalent to a one-year college course that...
, AP Art History
AP Art History
AP Art History is a course offered in high school through the Advanced Placement Program that gives college level material at the high school level. This class is operated by College Board...
, AP Statistics
AP Statistics
Advanced Placement Statistics is a college-level high school statistics course offered in the United States through the College Board's Advanced Placement program...
, AP United States History
AP United States History
Advanced Placement United States History is a course and examination offered by the College Board as part of the Advanced Placement Program...
, and AP English Language and Composition
AP English Language and Composition
Advanced Placement English Language and Composition is a course and examination offered by the College Board as part of the Advanced Placement Program....
.
In 12th grade, as in 11th grade, a student may continue with the language which they had previously been taking at the AP Level. Electives available to 12th graders are: AP Macroeconomics
AP Macroeconomics
Advanced Placement Macroeconomics is a course offered by the College Board as part of the Advanced Placement Program for high school students interested in college-level work in economics...
, AP Biology
AP Biology
In the United States, Advanced Placement Biology , is a course and examination offered by the College Board to high school students as an opportunity to earn placement credit for a college-level biology course....
, AP Chemistry
AP Chemistry
Advanced Placement Chemistry is a course and examination offered by the College Board as a part of the Advanced Placement Program to give American and Canadian high school students the opportunity to demonstrate their abilities and earn college-level credit.-The course:AP Chemistry is a course...
, AP English Literature and Composition
AP English Literature and Composition
Advanced Placement English Literature and Composition is a course and examination offered by the College Board as part of the Advanced Placement Program.-The Course:This course is designated for motivated students with a command of standard English, an...
, AP Psychology
AP Psychology
The Advanced Placement Psychology course and corresponding exam is part of the College Board's Advanced Placement Program. This course is tailored for students interested in the field of psychology and as an opportunity to earn placement credit or exemption from a college-level psychology course...
, AP European History
AP European History
Advanced Placement European History is a course and examination offered by the College Board through the Advanced Placement Program...
, AP Physics C
AP Physics C
Part of the College Board's Advanced Placement Program, consisting of two separate courses:*AP Physics C: Mechanics*AP Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism...
, AP Calculus AB, AP Calculus BC, AP Statistics
AP Statistics
Advanced Placement Statistics is a college-level high school statistics course offered in the United States through the College Board's Advanced Placement program...
, Latin Literature; Music Theory, AP Studio Art
AP Studio Art
AP Studio Art is a series of Advanced Placement Courses divided into three different categories: AP Studio Art Drawing, AP Studio Art 2D, and AP Studio Art 3D.-The portfolio:...
, AP Art History
AP Art History
AP Art History is a course offered in high school through the Advanced Placement Program that gives college level material at the high school level. This class is operated by College Board...
, AP Computer Science A, Psychology, Astronomy
Astronomy
Astronomy is a natural science that deals with the study of celestial objects and phenomena that originate outside the atmosphere of Earth...
, and more.
Sports
Frisch is regarded for its athletic teams, which have won more championships than any other competing school in the Metropolitan Yeshiva High School League. There are twenty-three sports teams in total. There are four basketball teams, one baseball team, one ping pong team, three hockey teams, one wrestling team, two volleyball teams, three soccer teams, two swimming teams, three softball teams, one bowling team, and two track teams.As of the 2010-2011 year, Frisch has added MSG Varsity, a student-designed program that films games and are available on Cablevision channel 14 and 614.
Academic teams
Frisch has many academic teams including chess, debate, college bowl, Torah bowl (boys and girls teams), and business bowl team. Like the sports teams, most academic teams compete in the Yeshiva league.Clubs and activities
Frisch has over forty clubs and activities. They include: Yeshiva UniversityYeshiva University
Yeshiva University is a private university in New York City, with six campuses in New York and one in Israel. Founded in 1886, it is a research university ranked as 45th in the US among national universities by U.S. News & World Report in 2012...
(boys) & Perfect Pita (girls) Thursday Night Mishmar, Debate, Model United Nations, Model Congress, Political Science, Book Club, Film Club, Mishmar (bible studies club),Science Club , Engineering Club, Chess, Junior Statesmen of America, Israel Action Committee (A.I.S.A.C.), Darfur Action Committee, Finance Club, Yoga Club, Choir, Acting the Classics, Poetry Club, Comic Book Club, Dance Team, College Bowl, Mock Trial, Community Service (Chessed) Club, Linking the Generations (L.T.G.), Photography Club, Philosophy Club, Torah Bowl, Chidon HaTanach (International Bible Contest), Pre-Med Society, The Geek Squad, and many others.
Student Council
The Frisch School Student council consists of three class representatives from each grade and four members of an executive board, one of whom is president. Elections are held in May for executive board and for the class representatives of rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors. Freshman elect their class representatives in October.Shiriyah
Once a year, the Frisch school has a week-long festival known as Shiriyah. Each team, i.e. each grade, competes in sports, trivia, hallway design, slow song, fast song, stomp, and video. Each grade is given a theme which must be worked into every presentation. Each grade has two generals, a boy and a girl, and at least four captains. Shiriyah culminates at the end of the week with the final presentation. Parents are welcome to see slow song, fast song, and the junior and senior stomps. However, only students and teachers see the videos and the freshman and sophomore stomps. Some videos and stomps from years past are available on YouTubeYouTube
YouTube is a video-sharing website, created by three former PayPal employees in February 2005, on which users can upload, view and share videos....
. While students do miss some class because of Shiriyah, practically all classes are still held and students are expected to attend.
Post high school
Frisch provides a college preparatory education and all students attend a four-year college after graduation. Additionally, a large proportion of the student body, varying from year to year, spends a year in Israel post graduation, prior to college. Nearly two-thirds of the class of 2007's 161 graduates studied in Israel during their post-graduation year.Notable alumni
- Jeremy DauberJeremy DauberJeremy Dauber is the Atran Associate Professor of Yiddish Language, Literature, and Culture in the Department of Germanic Languages at Columbia University, specializing in Yiddish literature....
, class of 1990, Rhodes Scholar and Columbia university Professor of Yiddish Literature. - Kevie Feit, former mayor of Teaneck, New JerseyTeaneck, New JerseyTeaneck is a township in Bergen County, New Jersey, and a suburb in the New York metropolitan area. As of the 2010 United States Census, the township population was 39,776, making it the second-most populous among the 70 municipalities in Bergen County....
. - Alisa Flatow (d. 1995), victim of the Egged bus 36 bombingEgged bus 36 bombingThe Kfar Darom bus attack was a 1995 Islamic Jihad suicide attack on an Israeli bus, carrying both military and civilian passengers, traveling to Kfar Darom in the Gaza Strip.-The attack:...
. - Elie Y. Katz, former mayor of Teaneck, New JerseyTeaneck, New JerseyTeaneck is a township in Bergen County, New Jersey, and a suburb in the New York metropolitan area. As of the 2010 United States Census, the township population was 39,776, making it the second-most populous among the 70 municipalities in Bergen County....
. - Ryan KarbenRyan KarbenRyan Scott Karben is a New York Democrat who represented the state's 95th Assembly District in Albany from 2003–2006.-Education and family:Karben was born in the borough of the Bronx on September 29, 1974. In 1979, his family moved to Spring Valley, New York. Karben was a student at the Frisch...
1994, former New York State AssemblyNew York State AssemblyThe New York State Assembly is the lower house of the New York State Legislature. The Assembly is composed of 150 members representing an equal number of districts, with each district having an average population of 128,652...
man. - Jared KushnerJared KushnerJared Corey Kushner is an American real estate entrepreneur and newspaper publisher. He is the principal owner of Kushner Properties, his family’s holding company, and the publisher of The New York Observer. He is the son of American real estate developer Charles Kushner.-Early life:Kushner is the...
(born 1981), businessman and newspaper publisher. - Arthur LenkArthur LenkArthur Lenk , served as the fourth ambassador of the State of Israel to the Republic of Azerbaijan from August 2005 - July 2009. He is currently Director of the Department of International Law in the Office of the Legal Adviser of Israel's Ministry of Foreign Affairs-Biography:Arthur Lenk attended...
(born 1964), Israeli Ambassador to AzerbaijanAzerbaijanAzerbaijan , officially the Republic of Azerbaijan is the largest country in the Caucasus region of Eurasia. Located at the crossroads of Western Asia and Eastern Europe, it is bounded by the Caspian Sea to the east, Russia to the north, Georgia to the northwest, Armenia to the west, and Iran to...
. - Rabbi Daniel S. NevinsDaniel S. NevinsDaniel S. Nevins is an American rabbi and an adherent of the Conservative Movement who was named the Dean of the Rabbinical School of the Jewish Theological Seminary of America on January 29, 2007, succeeding Rabbi William Lebeau...
(born 1966), named Dean of the Rabbinical School of the Jewish Theological Seminary of AmericaJewish Theological Seminary of AmericaThe Jewish Theological Seminary of America is one of the academic and spiritual centers of Conservative Judaism, and a major center for academic scholarship in Jewish studies.JTS operates five schools: Albert A...
. - Rick SchwartzRick SchwartzRick Schwartz is an independent producer and financier whose credits include The Departed, Black Swan, Gangs of New York, The Aviator and The Others....
(born c. 1968), film producer. - Rena SoferRena SoferRena Sherel Sofer is an American actress, primarily known for her appearances in daytime television, episodic guest appearances, and made-for-television movies...
(born 1968), actress. - Rabbi Sharon KleinbaumSharon KleinbaumSharon Kleinbaum is a leading social justice activist and an openly lesbian rabbi who has been Senior Rabbi of New York City’s Congregation Beit Simchat Torah since 1992 . She is a prominent advocate for human rights . She graduated from Barnard College and the Reconstructionist Rabbinical...
(born 1959), Senior Rabbi of New York City's Congregation Beit Simchat TorahCongregation Beit Simchat TorahCongregation Beit Simchat Torah is a Jewish synagogue located in Manhattan, New York City. It was founded in 1973 and describes itself as the world's largest LGBT synagogue. CBST serves Jews of all sexual orientations and gender identities, their families, and their friends. It is led by Senior...
. - Regina SpektorRegina SpektorRegina Ilyinichna Spektor is a Russian American singer-songwriter and pianist. Her music is associated with the anti-folk scene centered in New York City's East Village.-Early life:...
(born 1980), singer and songwriter, attended the school for freshman and sophomore years. - Rabbi Gil StudentGil StudentGil Ofer Student is the Managing Editor of Orthodox Union Press, and an Orthodox Jewish blogger who writes about the interface between different facets of Judaism, specifically Orthodox Judaism and Modern Orthodox Judaism, including modern, controversial topics...
(born 1972), publisher.
External links
- Frisch School Website
- Data for Frisch Yeshiva High School, National Center for Education StatisticsNational Center for Education StatisticsThe National Center for Education Statistics is the part of the United States Department of Education's Institute of Education Sciences that collects, analyzes, and publishes statistics on education and public school district finance information in the United States...