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How I Got Here:

An Alumnus' Story

by Zev Rand

There are some kids who struggle in a class or two, but are able to get
the extra help they need to stay in a mainstream Jewish Day School.
For me, multiple subjects were challenging, and it was clear to my
parents that I needed something more. I toured several schools and
remember how nothing compared to SINAI. In one school I noticed
that nobody wore a kippah, and at another the “special ed” class was Zev as a young SINAI student
in the basement of the building. Seeing SINAI at Joseph Kushner
Hebrew Academy (JKHA) for the first time was an unforgettable The partnership between SINAI and Kushner led to me finding my
experience. I can picture the light filled lobby, the atrium garden, and career path. I am an ‘early adopter’ of technology. In ninth grade I
most importantly, the lively SINAI classrooms, which dotted the halls joined the RKYHS video club and developed a close relationship with
of JKHA and were not singled out as “Special Ed.” My parents were Gary Berger, Kushner’s Head of Guidance and faculty director of the
impressed with the SINAI philosophy that provides an individualized video club. I quickly picked up many aspects of film production, and
program based on the needs of each child. Mr. Berger supported my interest in film. It made no difference that I
I started at SINAI in the first grade, and struggled with learning to was a SINAI student—in fact, during the middle of my junior year, I
read. I have a clear memory of doing homework at the kitchen table, became the leader of the club. Being in the video club, leading it, and
trying to sound out the word “JET”—my mother and older sister being asked to come back after I graduated to supervise and teach
remember this as well. It was rough. Ms. Judi Karp, SINAI’s Associate students in the club were defining experiences that profoundly
Dean, did not waver and SINAI stayed true to its mission of “an influenced my future. I graduated from The School of Visual Arts for
individualized approach to teaching.” Ms. Karp decided that a college, and have since worked for the acclaimed directors Eliza
multisensory, progressive approach, called the Wilson method, was Hittman and Nathan Silver, along with a hot production company,
the way to go for me. Fast forward several years: my mom, sister, and Three Strikes Incorporated. Watch for their names in the Oscar
I look back on those days when I struggled and see the beauty—and nominations. In addition, I was an assistant editor for the film “Beach
the humor—in the group effort of trying to get me to read the word Rats,” which was shown at the Sundance Film Festival and has my
“JET”! By fourth grade, I had made significant progress and was name listed in the closing credits. It’s pretty cool to see “Zev Rand” on
mainstreamed into several Kushner classes. I felt like a full member of the big screen.
both the SINAI and Kushner student bodies. Based on my experience, I can tell you that stigma is a sensitive issue.
I didn’t want to be thought of as the kid with learning disabilities. Ten
years after graduating high school, I look back and realize how
remarkable the SINAI and Kushner administrators were in integrating
both schools to create a judgment-free environment based on
acceptance and inclusion. Still, stigma is a work in progress for me. I
continue to work on seeing things clearly—without judgment about
others, or of myself—and to embrace that I am a fully realized
member of the Jewish community. Every step in the direction of
acceptance brings us all closer to the clarity of true human value.

SINAI gave me what I needed to highlight my
strengths, form enriching relationships with
teachers, and build lasting friendships with a
Zev with SINAI teacher Marty Gardner wide range of my peers. When I think about the
concept of SINAI—a special education yeshiva
SINAI was always in-tune with what I needed. My computer skills that provides a progressive, individualized
were advanced, although I had poor handwriting. Ms. Karp came up
with the idea of getting me a portable word processor, called education, a value system, and a community
AlphaSmart—basically a digital notepad. This was in 2005, years for kids who might otherwise be marginalized
—I am blown away by how fortunate I am. I am
before computers were common in classrooms. It enabled me to impressed by my parents, and grateful to them The atuthor today
easily take notes and keep up in class while maintaining my
independence. for their unwavering support. They are role models of dedication who
I hope to emulate. I will forever be thankful to my ‘dream team’—my
I appreciated Jewish studies and loved the strong Zionistic parents, SINAI, Kushner, Ms. Karp, Gary Berger—and the path they
atmosphere at school. Being immersed in an Orthodox education helped me reach. I feel blessed to have had wise mentors who
and what that gave me, like davening in a minyan, and learning our encouraged me, and unique learning opportunities shaped to meet
traditions and history, left an indelible imprint. I grew up expecting my needs, all of which helped me become who I am today.
that I would go on to a gap year in Israel. After I graduated from
SINAI’s Maor High School at RKYHS (Rae Kushner Yeshiva High Zev Rand grew up in Teaneck, NJ and graduated from SINAI Maor High School in
School), I spent a great year in yeshiva, studying Tanach while living 2013. A professional film editor, he loves to ski, cook, and take film photography. Zev
in a caravan in Judea and Samaria. is an active member of Chabad of the Bowery Young Professionals minyan.