Written By Andrew Wald ('12)

Graphic By Jonathan Razon ('13)

It is a common misconception that there is little diversity in Jewish schools.  What people do not know is that not only are there students in WYHS from all over the globe, but that they pride themselves on their origins, whether it be through leadership in Sephardigras or the Latinos editing the Spanish cultural magazine. 

Andre Jacobovitz ('02) is a prime example of this.  A resident of Recife, Brazil, Andre  boarded in Boca Raton to attend YHS (before it was Weinbaum).  Not only has he managed to adapt to new surroundings and a different culture, but Andre has thrived, studying in the Yeshivat Heder Maaleh Adumim, graduating from Cornell, and now working at Citigroup in their Corporate Strategy Team.  I had the privilege of being able to speak to one of WYHS's most esteemed graduates.

Andrew Wald: At what age did you move to America?  How hard was the adjustment?

Andre Jacobovitz: When I first enrolled at WYHS, I had just turned 15.  It was certainly an adjustment in the beginning - after all, I was in a foreign country 4,000 miles away from my family and hometown! But what I remember well is that everyone around me - the Tirschwells, my rebbeim, teachers, classmates, sports coaches, and so many families in the BRS community - wanted me to succeed at WYHS, and helped me to achieve my goals. I owe a tremendous amount of hakarat ha'tov to the entire WYHS and BRS family for "raising" me during my High School years, and providing me with the rock solid foundation that continues to support me until this day.

AW: How has WYHS prepared you for life, especially regarding dealing with the community and the regular world?

AJ: Everything that I learned while at WYHS - the rigorous college prep and yeshiva education, a commitment to Jewish values, the importance of communal involvement and tikun olam, the amazing role models I had in my rebbeim and teachers, the importance of the State of Israel - ultimately provided me with the spiritual and intellectual foundation that enabled me to continue to grow during my yeshiva, college and professional experiences.

AW: What role do you play in your community?

AJ: I am a board member of my shul (Ramath Orah in Manhattan), where I serve on their Finance Committee. I am also an active member of the Hebrew Free Loan Society Next Generation Board, an organization that provides interest-free loans for those in need in the New York Jewish community.

AW: Can you tell me a little bit about how you found your wife?  I've heard it wasn't the first time something like this happened in your family.

AJ: My sister Louise ('05) for a long time wanted me to meet her friend from University of Pennsylvania, Shalhevet Roth. I initially was hesitant, since I didn't want my little sister calling the shots on who I dated. Eventually I gave in, and soon after we started dating. As a funny coincidence, my parents were also introduced through my father's sister, so I guess there is something about sisters findings wives for their brothers in my family.