Frisch School
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| The Frisch School הישיבה התיכונית דצפון ניו ג'רזי |
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| Established | 1972 |
| Type | Private High School, Yeshiva |
| Affiliation | Modern Orthodox Judaism |
| Principal | Dr. Kalman Stein |
| Founder | Alfred Frisch |
| Students | 626 (in the 2006-07 school year) |
| Grades | 9–12 |
| Location | Paramus, NJ, United States |
| Accreditation | Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools |
| Colors | Red and White |
| Mascot | Cougar |
| Newspaper | The Struggle |
| Website | www.frisch.org |
The Frisch School, founded in 1972 by Rabbi Menachem Meier and Alfred Frisch, is a coeducational 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 current campus is situated, prior to the school's inception in 1972.
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[edit] Campus
The school currently resides at E. 243 Frisch Court in Paramus, on a seven acre plot of land which includes all current facilities.
The Frisch School has purchased a 115,000-square-foot office building on nearly 14 acres at 120 West Century Road in Paramus from Hewlett-Packard. The school is in the process of renovating what had been an office building, constructing a 25,000-square-foot addition. Plans call for 38 classrooms, six laboratories, two gymnasiums, one two story library, music and art studios, a Beit Midrash, and a publication room. Outdoors, the campus will have a softball field, two tennis courts, and a soccer field encircled by a running track. Indoors, the building will be wired for a modern computer network and cutting edge technology. The new facility is planned to open in time for the 2007-08 school year.[1]
The Frisch Court property has not been sold yet.
[edit] History
Founded in 1972, by Rabbi Menacham Meier and Alfred Frisch, with a mere dozen students, the school has since grown to include over 600 students. In June 2005, the graduating class consisted of over 150 students, a number which is rapidly rising. The class of 2007 will see 165 young men and women graduate. School administrators expect 200 graduates in the near future.
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 1998. 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... (b) The sanctity of the Jewish people.”
[edit] 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 (the course depends upon the specific track where one is placed); Hebrew Language; Torah (the Pentateuch); Nach (Nevi'im "Prophets" and Ketuvim "Writings"); and Talmud (Jewish Law).
In 11th grade, one may, or may not, take a language and has the option of taking further electives. Four Advanced Placement Program (AP) courses are offered every year to students. They are: AP Physics B, AP Art History, AP Statistics, and AP United States History. Further, many students opt to take AP English Language and Composition.
In 12th grade, as in 11th grade, a student may, or may not, continue with the language which they had previously been taking. Electives available to 12th graders are: AP Macroeconomics; AP Biology; AP Chemistry; AP English Literature and Composition; AP Psychology; AP European History; AP Physics B; AP Calculus AB; AP Calculus BC; AP Statistics; AP Spanish Language; AP French Language; AP Latin Literature; AP Music Theory; AP Studio Art; AP Art History; AP Computer Science A; Psychology; Astronomy; and more.
[edit] Post High School
While Frisch was always intended to be a Jewish school, it has, over the years, morphed to provide a University-preparatory school education. 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.
[edit] Extracurricular Activities
[edit] 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 fourteen sports teams in total, including basketball, hockey, wrestling, tennis, volleyball, soccer, swimming, and softball.
[edit] Publications
The school composes and issues the following publications:
- The Struggle - The monthly newspaper, it includes editorials, reports and even reviews of local restaurants.
- Las Joyas - The yearly foreign language magazine which includes Spanish, French, Latin and Hebrew compositions and poetry. Las Joyas is the the Spanish edition.
- Acheinu - The AISAC publication, it includes relevant news regarding Israel and the Middle East.
- Kalliope - Kalliope is the annual creative writing and fine arts magazine.
- The Yearbook - Published annually and distributed to all graduates, this publication serves as a lasting sentiment.
- Be'er Shavua - The weekly Parsha (Torah portion of the week) essay pamphlet
- EishDat - The yearly compendium of divrei Torah, written by students and faculty
[edit] Clubs and Activities
Frisch has over forty clubs and activities. They include: Debate, Model United Nations, Model Congress, Political Science, Book Club, Film Club, Mishmar (bible studies club), N.E.R.D.S. (Not Everyone Really Dislikes Science) Science Club , Engineering Club, Chess, Magic Club, Junior Statesmen of America, Israel Action Committee (AISAC), Darfur Action Committee, Finance Club, Yoga Club, Choir, Jazz Singers, Cooking Club, Cup Stacking Club, Acting the Classics, Poetry Club, Comic Book Club, Dance Team, College Bowl, Mock Trial, Community Service (Chessed) Club, Improv Club, Photography Club, Torah Bowl and many others.
[edit] Notable alumni
- Arthur Lenk, Israeli Ambassador to Azerbaijan
- Rabbi Daniel S. Nevins, named Dean of the Rabbinical School of the Jewish Theological Seminary of America.[2]
- Rena Sofer, actress.[3]
- Regina Spektor, singer - songwriter
[edit] References
- ^ Our New Campus, accessed October 12, 2006
- ^ North Jerseyan named JTS dean, The Record (Bergen County) by Abigail Leichman, February 8, 2007
- ^ Sofer Sex, The Jewish Week, September 19, 2003
