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Yeshivat Akiva is an N-12 Modern Orthodox Religious Zionist day school in Southfield, Michigan, serving Southeast Michigan. It opened in 1964 as an elementary school and shortly thereafter added a middle school (in 1967) and high school (starting in 1971, with a 10th grade). From the start the school has had a strong connection to Israel and for the first two decades the school's 12th grade took place in Israel. The first high school class graduated in 1974. The school's early motto was "The best of two worlds," which was later reworded as "The best of both worlds."

The school's original name was Akiva Hebrew Day School. In 1982, the school was renamed Yeshivat Akiva-Akiva Hebrew Day School-Stollman Education Center. It is currently known as Farber Hebrew Day School-Yeshivat Akiva and uses the motto "A foundation in Torah, a lifetime of success." The latest name change came as part of a major endowment by the Audrey & William Farber Family.

Founders and endowments

The school grew out of a March 1964 meeting, called by Rabbi James Gordon and Rabbi Hayim Halevy Donin, with 13 parents at the home of Mr. and Mrs. David Dombey. The original trustees of the school were David I. Berris, Mrs. David Dombey, Rabbi Hayim Donin, Dr. Jacob Goldman, Rabbi James I. Gordon, Rabbi Israel I. Halpern, Dr. Max Kapustin, Ithamar Koenigsberg, Dr. Charles Levi, Seymour Ribat, Elliot Steiman and Phillip Stollman.

The first Annual Akiva Dinner was held on Jan 18, 1966 at the Bnai David Synagogue. At the tenth annual dinner in 1974, Abba Eban was the guest of honor and presented the school with the 1974 Spiritual Bridges Award of the WZO's department for Torah Education and Culture. At the same dinner, Rabbi James I. Gordon was honored for his work with the school. In 1984, Avital Sharansky spoke at the annual dinner.

In December 1974, Phillip, Max and Frieda Stollman dedicated a kindergarten building in the school. The kindergarten was a prefab building on the property of Young Israel of Southfield.

In November 1986, Mrs. Hannah Karbal dedicated the Elementary school, which then became known as the Karbal Elementary School.

In January 1988, The Sara Tugman Learning Resource Center for students with special educational needs was dedicated.

In 2001, the Schostak Family set up the Millennium Fund to boost the high school program at Akiva. The campus was subsequently known as the Schostak Family Campus.

In 2013, as the school approached its 50th anniversary, the school received two major donations. The William Davidson Foundation donated $2.25 million, for "augmentation and improvement of Akiva's academic offerings." This was followed by the William and Audrey Farber Philanthropic Endowment Fund, which came forward with a 3 million dollar donation, which instigated a funding campaign and the construction of Akiva's first ever new facility. The Farber donation was later increased to $8 million and a new building was planned. Groundbreaking was in November, 2015.

Principals

Rabbi Manfred Pick was the first principal of the school, starting in 1964 and remaining at that post until 1970.

Graduates

Through 2018, and according to school records, there have been 562 graduates of Akiva. This divides into 274 men and 288 women. Eight are deceased. By decade, there were 84 graduates in the 1970s (38 men, 46 women), 124 graduates in the 1980s (54 men, 70 women), 100 in the 1990s (49 men, 51 women), 131 graduates in the 2000s (61 men, 70 women) and 123 in the 2010s (72 men, 51 women).

The largest class was in 2013 (26 students), followed by 1977 (25) and 2002 (24). The smallest class was in 2014, when there were no graduates, followed by 1994 (1), 2003 (2) and 1993 (3 - though no official graduation was held.) The most common class size has been 12 students, with an average size of 12.49.

Teacher

Rabbi Eliezer Cohen taught at Akiva from 1974 until the time of his death in 2014. He influenced several generations of Akiva students, teaching them Mishna, Talmud, and Bible. He was known for teaching the 6th grade class as well as the highest track of high school students. His yahrzeit continues to be marked by former students with days of learning.

Student leadership

Elisha Prero was the first Student Council president, elected in 1968. He was succeeded by Mike Feigelman in 1969, followed by Gary Torgow in 1970 and Sheldon Klein for the 1970–71 school year. Sharon Rose was elected president for 1971–1972, becoming the first woman to serve that role. Jamie Pearlberg was student council president in the 1991–1992 academic year.

Extracurricular activities

Yearbook

The senior class annually produces a yearbook. The yearbook belonging to the class of 1991 was banned by the school. The yearbook was traditionally titled "HeChalutz" (The Pioneer), a name which lent itself to the school's basketball program for many years. However, the last yearbook which bore this title was issued in 1998.

Spelling bees

Akiva has often hosted a spelling bee. In 1969, Benjamin Micznik was the winner. The 1980 school champion was Sara Broner. Ephraim Simon won in 1986.

Science fairs

In 1969, four Akiva students participated in a science fair at Cobo Hall. Student Michael Feigelman was one of the victors. Judy Krakovits received an honorable mention. In subsequent year, winning science fair projects were displayed at the Cranbrook Institute. in 1974, Grant Mitchell won second prize in the Southwest Michigan Regional Science fair, and first prize in the Metropolitan Detroit Science Fair junior division.

Chidon HaTanach

Akiva has participated in Bible Competitions, including the International Chidon HaTanach. In 1972, Benny Micznik and Joel Bigman advanced to the National competition in New York. Ira Finkelstein represented the school in the National Bible Contest in 1980. In 2008, Dovi Nadel came in 3rd internationally. In that same year, Elizabeth Goldmeier was also an international finalist.

Mishmar

A mishmar program was initiated in 1972 for Thursday evenings. At first the program was voluntary, but in later years it became compulsory.

Drama

The students of the school have frequently put on plays for the public. In March 1973, they produced The Diary of Anne Frank. In 1975 students performed "Tevye and His Daughters." In 1980, Akiva students put on "The Importance of Being Earnest."

National Merit Scholars

In 1982, student Shani Schreiber became a National Merit Scholar.

Invent America!

For many years, students in the school participated in the Invent America! competition. In 1987, kindergarten student Zevi Steinmetz won the national competition when he invented a Popsicle stick that caught drips.

Math Olympiad

Starting in 1988, Akiva participated in the International Math Olympiad. Amy Zwas was the School champion in the first year.

Wax Museum

In 2000, students in the elementary school began a yearly wax museum, in which students would dress up as famous historical figures. This was initiated by teacher Shirleen Pensler.

Battle of the Books

For many years Akiva has participated in the Southfield Public Library's Battle of the Books, winning on a number of occasions. The first overall victory took place in 1989, when Akiva swept 1st, 2nd and 3rd place. In 2012 a team from Akiva again won the competition. In 2013, an Akiva team won both divisions. An Akiva team placed every year from 2014 to 2018, winning first in 2014, 2015, 2017, and 2018.

Israel Quiz Bowl

Starting in 1989, Akiva participated in the Israel Quiz Bowl, competing in the Day School division. The competition ran through 1993, with Akiva winning in the final year of competition.

YUNMUN

In 1993, Akiva sent its first delegation to Yeshiva University's National Model United Nations (YUNMUN), and has been sending students to the conference ever since. In 1997, several students were awarded Best Delegate awards.

Panim El Panim

In 1997 students from Akiva began attending Panim El Panim, a four-day learning program in Washington DC.

Eimatai

In the 2000s Akiva students began participating in Eimatai programs.

Athletics

Akiva has had many sports teams over the years, though some were quite short-lived. The basketball team was known as the Pioneers, named after the school yearbook, HeChalutz. With the name change that occurred in 2016, the sports team took on the moniker Farber Fire. The early floor hockey team was known as the Cougars.

Floor Hockey

Akiva's first reported athletic competition was a 1972 floor hockey contest against Yeshiva Beth Yehuda, played at the Detroit Jewish Center. Akiva won 9-5 before a crowd of 150. The floor hockey team also played against Hillel Day School and Windsor.

Baseball

In 1973, sixth grade boys in both Akiva and Yeshivat Beth Yehuda formed a Shabbat observant baseball league and played against one another.

Basketball

In 1985 Akiva organized a basketball team, which played against Beth Yehudah, Skokie, and the local JCC. Moshe Rose was the coach. The team captain in 1986 was Donny Ebenstein. in 1987, the school was invited to its first tournament, sponsored by HAFTR. Michael Selesny served as captain that year. That year also saw Akiva host an Israeli high school all-star team. Danny Najman was captain in the 1989–1990 season. Etan Berman and Zach Herman were co-captains in 1995. Ken Kohn became coach of the team in 1994 and served for over two decades in that role. He was replaced in 2011 by Rick Kaczander. The team frequently attends tournaments in New York, including at Yeshiva of Flatbush and Yeshiva University, and has also gone to Toronto, Columbus, and other locations over the years. In 1998 the team won the Tier III championship at the Y.U. tournament, captained by Erie Skoczylas. In 2013, the middle school team played against Hillel at the Palace of Auburn Hills during halftime of an exhibition game.

In 1989, the school hosted its first basketball tournament, the Akiva Invitational, consisting of four JV teams. Akiva's team was considered a JV squad as all seniors were learning in Israel. This tournament ran for two years, though the tournament trophy resided for many years in the office of the headmaster. In 2011, Akiva again hosted a basketball tournament, dubbed the First Annual Detroit Yeshiva Basketball Invitational Tournament. Teams from Cleveland, Pittsburgh and Columbus participated. The inaugural tournament was won by the team from Fuchs Mizrachi.

Tennis

A tennis team was started in 2009, coached by Bryan Weinstein. Practice takes place at Southfield-Lathrup High School and at the Detroit Tennis and Squash Club.

Israel program

From the inception of the high school, students were expected to spend time studying in Israel. At first this was done for most of 12th grade, after having completed an accelerated curriculum over the previous three years. In August 1973, the school's first 12th grade, consisting of Jonathan Freier, Sheldon Klein, Gary Torgow, Danny Schnipper, Jonathan Simon, Barbara Eskin, Michael Greenbaum, Benny Micznik, David Donin, Karen Polk, Judith Mermelstein, Lynn Dombey, Sarina Flatt and Solomon Pesis, left for Israel. The program was arranged in conjunction with the Jewish Agency. The girls were originally enrolled in an Ulpana in Kiryat Motzkin, but ended up on Kibbutz Tirat Zvi, while the boys were in Tikvat Yaakov on moshav Sde Yaakov. The first class was present during the Yom Kippur War.

Among this first class, who had spent 12th grade in Israel, several elected to return to Israel for another year of study, going to Machon Gold, Keren B'Yavne, Hebrew University, the army-kibbutz Nahal program.

Subsequent classes spent their 12th grade in Israel as well. The Class of 1976 marked the first cohort that learned in Akiva from 1st through 12th grade. The Class of 1977 had the largest number of graduates, at 22, and five elected to attend Bar Ilan University after graduation.

In 1990, the 12th grade Israel program was cancelled. This led to the entire class of 1991 leaving the school a year early, along with most members of the Class of 1993. Remaining members of the Class of 1993 were skipped a grade and graduated along with the Class of 1992. Again in 1994, only one student was enrolled for senior year. By the 1994-1995 year, however, the transition was complete a regular 12th grade has existed in the school since. Students were widely opposed to the cancellation of the program. Reasons given for the decision were that it became widely accepted among day schools for students to spend a year in Israel post-graduation, and that the Akiva students no longer attended the same schools in Israel, so it no longer felt like an extension of the class. The principal at the time, Zev Shimansky, also felt that students were suffering from the condensed academic program during three years of high school.

Many graduates of Akiva choose to spend a year or more after graduation studying in Israel. The school also has a high aliya rate.

Locations

The original home of Yeshivat Akiva was in the Labor Zionist Building at 19161 Schaefer. The school moved from there to Young Israel of Oak-Woods, and then to the United Hebrew School "Rohlik" building at 21550 12 Mile Rd in 1971.

In 1980, having grown to 260 students, the school began negotiations to lease either the Annie Lathrup Elementary School building on Southfield Rd, or Southfield No. 10 on Berg Road. The school ended up moving to the former, and remained there until 1999. Reticence to lease the building to Akiva led to charges in the Detroit Free Press of anti-Semitism, but the Lathrup City Council approved the transaction unanimously. In 1984, Akiva purchased the building for $350,000. In 1990, the student council raised money to repair the school's old flagpole, which had been vandalized in 1985. In May 1990, the school was closed for two days due to vandals breaking in and damaging the school. In the mid-90s, Akiva began to once again outgrow its building and began looking for a new space. One option was to move back to the UHS building. At the same time, the school ran into difficulties selling its existing property to developers, due to the building's historic status and a failure of the property to be rezoned. In 1998, with the merger of Adat Shalom and Beth Achim, Akiva was able to move into the old Beth Achim building on 12 Mile Road, which took place for the start of the 1999–2000 school year. To celebrate the move, a parade was held down 12 Mile Road with the school's Torah scrolls. The school remains on that campus, though a new building was constructed in 2016.

Day camp

Starting in 1972, Akiva offered a summer day camp for ages 4–13. The camp was originally held at Congregation Bnai Torah. In the 1990s the camp was known as Camp Ruach. In the early 2000s it was called Camp Akiva, and in 2010 it joined with the JCC's Camp Discovery.

Dress code

In 1992, a uniform was instituted in Akiva, to strengthen an existing dress code. The uniform was approved by the board of directors on November 5, 1991, and polling showed an 80% approval rate among parents, though it was widely opposed by the students. The dress code had called for girls to wear blouses with sleeves and skirts below their knees, while boys were to wear pants, collared shirts, kipot and tzitzit. The uniform was eventually relaxed in the mid-1990s, and returned to being a dress code of a similar nature.

By 2011, the school had a uniform for the elementary school and a dress code for the upper school. This was done to allow students the ability to develop their own sense of style and to teach them to balance style with halachic demands.

Finances

The school has used a number of fundraising techniques over the years, including bingo games, flower sales, rummage sales, Chinese auctions and an annual dinner. In 1982 the school filed for reorganization under Chapter XI, but was able to recover and continue operating, opening with 330 students in 1982. By March, 1983, the school had exited Chapter XI after a successful reorganization. Rabbi Moshe Tendler spoke at the dinner that year.

In September 1983, the teachers of Akiva declared a strike. Twenty-two of the twenty-six teachers picketed the school, while the remaining four teachers continued to work, aided by replacements. Issues at stake were seniority policy, job security and workload. Picketing teachers were accused of violence, and in return sued the school for libel. Picketing continued for nine weeks. By November 18, six teachers had returned and fifteen remains on strike. By the middle of December, those teachers who remained on strike were fired.

In 2008, Akiva students realized that some classmates were leaving the school due to tuition costs and organized a fundraising drive to create tuition scholarships. This campaign was dubbed Lead the Way, and supports tuition-based scholarships for Akiva students. It continues to run on a yearly basis.

See also

• History of the Jews in Metro Detroit

References

1. Detroit Jewish News, 15 Jan 1971, p33
2. Detroit Jewish News, 26 Feb 1982, p2
3. "Dinner to Honor Rabbi James Gordon" Detroit Jewish News, 11 Oct 1974 p36
4. "New Day School to Open Here in September", Detroit Jewish News 6 Mar 1964, p40
5. Detroit Jewish News, 17 Dec 1965, p27
6. Detroit Jewish News, 11 Oct 1974 p23
7. Detroit Jewish News, 28 Sep 1984, p42
8. "Phillip Stollman: A Belief in Education" in Detroit Jewish News, 22 Nov 1974, p12
9. "Akiva to Dedicate Elementary School" in Detroit Jewish News, 28 Nov 1986 p77
10. Detroit Jewish News, 11 Dec 1987, p105
11. Detroit Jewish News, 13 Jul 2001 p10
12. "Building a Future" in Detroit Jewish News, 27 Feb 2014, p12
13. Shelli Liebman Dorfman, "Ready, Set, Build!" in Detroit Jewish News, 20 Aug 2015 p16
14. "Next Chapter" in Detroit Jewish News, 26 Nov 2015, p24
15. Detroit Jewish News 24 July 1970, p26
16. Detroit Jewish News, 12 May 1972 p31
17. Detroit Jewish News, 21 Jul 1972, p25
18. "Akiva Day School Names Rabbi Schostak as Principal" in Detroit Jewish News, 25 Jun 1976, p41
19. Detroit Jewish News, 7 Sep 1979, p28
20. Detroit Jewish News, 1 Sep 1995, p1
21. "Akiva Picks New Head of School" in Detroit Jewish News, 12 May 2011, p17
22. "Young Israel of Oak-Woods To Honor Rabbi Cohen Dec. 11" in Detroit Jewish News, 25 Nov 1988, p36
23. "A Tribute to Rabbi Cohen (2016)". YouTube.
24. Detroit Jewish News, 5 Jan 1968, p29
25. Detroit Jewish News, 20 Dec 1968, p27
26. Detroit Jewish News 14 Nov 1969, p34
27. Detroit Jewish News, 13 Nov 1970, p39
28. Detroit Jewish News, 12 Nov 1971, p37
29. Detroit Jewish News, 4 Apr 1969, p36
30. Detroit Jewish News, 15 Feb 1980, p38
31. "Spelling Bee Winners Named" in Detroit Jewish News, 14 Feb 1986 p17
32. Detroit Jewish News, 25 Apr 1969, p36
33. Detroit Jewish News, 21 Jun 1974, p32
34. Sarah Ryba, "Akiva Action Line" in Detroit Jewish News, 31 Mar 1972, p37
35. Detroit Jewish News, 6 Jun 1980, p24
36. David Donin, "Akiva Action Line" in Detroit Jewish News, 1 Dec 1972 p.40
37. Detroit Jewish News 23 Mar 1973 p22
38. Detroit Jewish News, 14 Mar 1975, p52
39. "Akiva Presents Wilde Production" Detroit Jewish News, 23 May 1980, p35
40. Detroit Jewish News, 21 May 1982 p55
41. "Better Drip Catcher Wins Trip to D.C." in Detroit Jewish News, 19 Jun 1987 p20
42. "Akiva Students Win Olympiad" in Detroit Jewish News, 24 Jun 1988, p76
43. Janis Campbell, "Real Kids Play Wax Figures" In Detroit Free Press, 17 May 2001, p7
44. Shelli Liebman Dorfman, "Ready, Set Read" in Detroit Jewish News, 12 Apr 2012, p22
45. Shelli Liebman Dorfman "A Page Turner" in Detroit Jewish News, 25 Apr 2013, p69
46. "Quiz Bowl Lists Winners" in Detroit Jewish News, 12 May 1989 p48
47. Detroit Jewish News, 9 Jul 1993 p84
48. Detroit Jewish News, 28 Feb 1997, p108
49. Detroit Jewish News, 9 Jan 1998 p.90
50. Detroit Jewish News, 16 Mar 1990 p61
51. Rena Donin, "Akiva Action Line" in Detroit Jewish News, 11 Feb 1972, p23
52. Detroit Jewish News, 15 Jun 1973 p30
53. "Akiva Cagers Beat Yeshivah", Detroit Jewish News 6 Dec 1985, p94
54. "Akiva Cagers Big Winners" in Detroit Jewish News, 7 Mar 1986, p58
55. "Akiva Hoopsters to Tournament" in Detroit Jewish News, 30 Jan 1987, p79
56. "Akiva Hosts Israeli All-Stars" in Detroit Jewish News, 17 Apr 1987, p5
57. Steven Stein, "Pioneer Spirit" in Detroit Jewish News, 5 May 995, p103
58. Steve Stein, "Old-School Coach" in Detroit Jewish News, 1 Dec 2016, p59
59. "Haifa Team Takes on the Pistons During Jewish Community Night at the Palace" in Detroit Jewish News, 17 Oct 2013, p28
60. "Almost a Minyan" in Detroit Jewish News, 16 Mar 1990 p61
61. Jamie Rashty, "Court Action" in Detroit Jewish News, 16 Feb 2011, p31
62. "Service with a Smile" In Detroit Jewish News, 16 Dec 2010, p29
63. Detroit Jewish News, 22 Nov 2012, p42
64. "Akiva School Seniors to Spend 12th Grade of Studies in Israel" in Detroit Jewish News, 1 Jun 1973, 34
65. "Akiva Seniors Studying in Israel Touched by War During Their Stay" in Detroit Jewish News, 14 Jun 1974 p36
66. "Akiva Graduates Senior Class" in Detroit Jewish News, 12 Jul 1974, p34
67. "Akiva Graduates 2nd Senior Class" in Detroit Jewish News, 27 Jun 1975 p.39
68. "Akiva to Hold 3rd Graduation" in Detroit Jewish News, 11 Jun 1976, p31
69. "Akiv Seniors Will Pursue 12th Grade Studies in Israel" in Detroit Jewish News, 29 Jul 1977 p42
70. "Bon Voyage for Akiva's Seniors" Detroit Jewish News, 1 Aug 1980, p47
71. "Akiva Students to Graduate" in Detroit Jewish News, 10 Jun 1977, p56
72. Detroit Jewish News, 19 Aug 1977, p44
73. Amy . Mehler, "Seniors At Akiva Spend First Year at Home" in Detroit Jewish News, 22 Nov 1991, p15
74. Detroit Jewish News, 20 Aug 1971, p38
75. "Akiva May Lease Southfield School" in Detroit Jewish News, 6 Jun 1980, p.46
76. Detroit Jewish News, 22 Aug 1980, p2
77. "Alan Hitsky, "Akiva buys its School Building" in Detroit Jewish News, 6 Jul 1984, p8
78. "Raising The Flag Signals New Lathrup, Akiva Era" in Detroit Jewish News, 26 Jan 1990, p1
79. Detroit Jewish News, 11 May 1990, p1
80. Jill Davidson Sklar, "Musical Buildings for Day Schools"in Detroit Jewish News, 10 Feb 1995 p22
81. Jill Davidson Sklar, "Historic Landmark?" in Detroit Jewish News, 7 Apr 1995, p1
82. Jill Davidson Sklar "Lathrup Village Nixes Rezoning Request" in Detroit Jewish News, 4 Aug 1995 p17
83. Alan Hitsky, "Multiple Moves" in Detroit Jewish News, 17 Apr 1998, p8
84. Diana Lieberman, "Proceeding Afresh" in Detroit Jewish News, 10 Sep 1999 p28
85. Detroit Jewish News, 7 Apr 1972 p23
86. Detroit Jewish News, 10 Feb 2011, p32
87. Amy J. Mehler, "Akiva Board OKs School Uniform" in Detroit Jewish News, 15 Nov 1991 p15
88. Kren Schwartz, "Dressing for Success" in Detroit Jewish News, 25 Aug 2011 p20
89. "Akiva, Beth Yehudah Fight Financial Crises" in Detroit Jewish News, 25 Jun 1982, p1
90. "Akiva Back to Financial Health, Celebrates at Dinner on Sunday" in Detroit Jewish News, 4 Mar 1983, p24
91. Alan Hitsky, "Negotiations Stalled at Akiva Day School" in Detroit Jewish News, 16 Se0 1983 p1
92. "Striking Teachers Sue Akiva for Libel" in Detroit Jewish News, 21 Oct 1983, p1
93. Alan Hitsky, "Teachers' Strike Impasse at Akiva" in Detroit Jewish News, 1 Nov 1983, p1
94. Alan Hitsky, "Beth Din Circumstances for Akiva Debated" in Detroit Jewish News, 18 Nov 1983, p33
95. "Akiva Suit Charges"in Detroit Jewish News, 23 Dec 1983, p62
96. "Aiding Akiva" in Detroit Jewish News, 18 Aug 2011 p24
97. Talia Schechet, "Lead the Way" in Detroit Jewish News, 23 Aug 2012, p24

External links

• Yeshivat Akiva official website

42°30′08.4″N 83°15′10.3″W / 42.502333°N 83.252861°W / 42.502333; -83.252861

• Private high schools in Michigan
• Educational institutions established in 1964
• High schools in Oakland County, Michigan
• Private K–12 schools in Michigan
• Schools in Southfield, Michigan
• 1964 establishments in Michigan