Our Leadership Scholars

Avi Becker has lived in St. Louis, Missouri; Paris, France; Cleveland, Ohio; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; and now Memphis, Tennessee. He is currently completing his second year at Yeshivat Sha'alvim. Avi attended Hillel Academy of Pittsburgh before graduating from Margolin Hebrew Academy, where he was deeply involved in both leadership and extracurricular life. He served on student council for three years—first as a representative and later as student body president. Avi was also captain of the baseball and Mock Trial teams, participated in Model United Nations, Model Beit Din, and golf, and served as lead writer for the school newspaper. His involvement earned him the Yale Book Award, along with Best Lawyer and Best Witness awards in Mock Trial. Outside the classroom, Avi was active in Bnei Akiva, contributed to community newspapers, and held leadership positions on the Chapter, Regional, and National NCSY Boards. During his time in Israel, he continued pursuing leadership opportunities by serving on Mizrachi’s Maslul board, acting as commissioner of the intramural basketball league, and running a small cookie business.  

Shoshana Cypess grew up in Silver Spring, Maryland, where she attended the Yeshiva of Greater Washington before spending her gap year at Michlalah in Israel. During high school, Shoshana took on a number of leadership roles within her community. As a junior, she served as head of dance for her school-wide performance, and the following year she was responsible for managing the school canteen and organizing the student-run chesed initiative. Outside of school, Shoshana worked at a sleepaway camp, where she advanced through the ranks to become a division head. As a dedicated dancer since early elementary school, Shoshana has studied ballet for many years and has taught dance to students ranging from preschool through middle school. Shoshana has also worked as a tutor, first through her school’s writing center and later privately. She is excited to begin her next chapter at Yeshiva University this fall! 

Micah Cyrulnik is an idealistic visionary from Teaneck, New Jersey, where he attended TABC before continuing his studies at Yeshivat Sha'alvim in Israel. From a young age, Micah’s competitive spirit and intellectual curiosity led him to participate in a wide range of local and national competitions, from poetry contests to the U.S. National Bible Contest, where he placed third in the country. While in high school, Micah served as the founding president of the Elyon program at TABC, a track that offers motivated students’ opportunities for rigorous Gemara learning and out-of-school programming. After two years of volunteering, Micah was named Program Coordinator for Teaneck’s My Extended Family organization, which provides after-school programming, dinner and tutoring for children from single-parent households. Micah also headed school academic teams like Model UN and Mock Trial and served as Editor-In-Chief of TABC’s Kol Torah Publication, aiming to spread thought-provoking Torah ideas and values-driven content to tri-state Jewish communities. He looks forward to more learning experiences and opportunities to further benefit his communities in college. 

Gila Grauer hails from Toronto, Ontario where she attended Ulpanat Orot. She is currently completing her gap year at Michlelet Mevaseret Yerushalayim (MMY). In high school, Gila received the prestigious Governor General’s Academic Medal, awarded to the graduating student with the highest GPA, as well as a Community Involvement and Leadership Award. Gila was deeply involved in leadership, athletics, and community engagement. She served as Mazkira of Bnei Akiva Toronto, played on the Ulpana Knights basketball team, led the Mock Trial team, participated actively in Tikvah programming, and was selected as a Young Sacks Scholar. In addition, she volunteered weekly at Kayla’s Children Centre, working with children with developmental disabilities. This fall, Gila looks forward to continuing her growth in learning, leadership, and community involvement at Stern College. She is especially excited to join her brother in the Leadership Scholars program as its first sibling pair of Leadership Scholars. 

Dani Lieberman is originally from Woodmere, NY, and attended DRS Yeshiva High School, where he developed a passion for public speaking and mentorship. While at DRS, he headed the Model Congress team, teaching debate skills to younger students and leading the team to several prestigious awards. He also captained the tennis team as it became back-to-back champions. After high school, Dani spent a summer at Camp HASC, where he served as a caretaker for campers with special needs, and he looks forward to returning there this summer. Dani is currently spending a second year of learning at Yeshivat HaKotel, delivering chaburot and helping guide younger students. This summer, he will also serve as an advisor on NCSY Euro, leading Jewish teenagers on a cultural trip through Europe and Israel. Dani looks forward to joining the Sy Syms Honors Program this fall. 

Joshua Markovitz was raised in Teaneck, New Jersey, and attended Yeshivat Frisch. Afterwards, he spent two years learning in Yeshivat Torat Shraga. During high school, Joshua volunteered at Chai Lifeline in multiple capacities, including volunteering with iShine in Teaneck and spending two summers at Camp Simcha. He demonstrated leadership in athletics, serving as captain of both the JV and Varsity Basketball teams as well as the Varsity Baseball team for 3 years. Additionally, he spearheaded a full-day basketball tournament benefiting the Rofeh Cholim Cancer Society (RCCS), raising significant funds. During the COVID-19 pandemic, when communal tefillah was disrupted, Joshua blew shofar for his local tent minyan as well as homebound community members. This summer, Joshua will be a madrich on Amcha where he will be leading daily chaburot. Joshua is excited to continue building, leading, and creating meaningful impact within the Jewish community and beyond. 

Batsheva Perelis grew up in Teaneck, New Jersey, and graduated from SAR High School before spending a year studying at Michlelet Mevaseret Yerushalayim (MMY) in Israel. As Co-President of the Yachad Club, she created opportunities for meaningful engagement between students and individuals with disabilities, organizing bi-weekly events and leading fundraising efforts. Under her leadership, SAR received the Yachad NYC School Partnership Award in recognition of its inclusive culture. She was a senior leader of Cookies for a Cause (CFAC), baking weekly to raise funds for tzedakah causes, and co-founded BN Birthdays, a business that plans birthday parties designed to bring joy to local children. Batsheva served as a varsity captain of the Model Congress Team, leader of the Torah Bowl Team, and a member of the Chesed Council. She also led the Girls Who Shtieg Club, which organized Torah learning and singing events that brought together female students across grades. As a fellow in the CSH Fellowship, she collaborated with peers from a local charter school to address antisemitism and social bias. Batsheva dedicates her summers as a counselor for Yachad participants and at Camp Stone, empowering the next generation of young Jewish leaders. 

Kyra Rosenblatt grew up in Scarsdale, New York. She attended Yeshivat Frisch for high school and later continued her studies at Sha'alvim for Women in Israel. Kyra is a dedicated volunteer of Chai Lifeline, where she served as President of Chai Lifeline at Frisch, as well as worked as a lifeguard at Camp Simcha and volunteered with iShine. During her time in high school, she also served as President of Glamour Gals, where she visited elderly residents in nursing homes and gave makeovers to help brighten their days. In addition, Kyra was actively involved in student life and leadership initiatives throughout the school community. Outside of school, she worked as a gymnastics coach at her local JCC. During her year in Israel, Kyra continued her involvement in chesed by volunteering with Seeach Sod. She is passionate about leadership, community involvement, and creating meaningful connections with others. 

Noam Wolkenfeld was raised in Chicago before attending SAR High School in Riverdale, New York. He has spent the last year and a half studying at Yeshivat Orayta in Jerusalem. During high school, Noam was actively involved in both leadership and athletics. He served as captain of both the Model UN team and the volleyball team. Noam has spent the past several summers working as a counselor at Camp Stone, where he enjoys building meaningful relationships with campers and creating a positive, energetic environment. He is passionate about community, leadership, and bringing people together. In his free time, Noam enjoys reading, playing sports, meeting new people, and spending time with family and friends. He looks forward to continuing to grow through new learning opportunities and experiences in the years ahead. 

Aliza Zahler is from Woodmere, New York, and attended Shulamith High School, where she graduated as valedictorian. She is currently completing her gap year at Michlelet Mevaseret Yerushalayim (MMY). Aliza’s passion for technology inspired her to start her school’s computer science club and led her to become a finalist in the Jerusalem Science Contest. She also served as captain of her school’s Mock Trial team for two years. After building a close relationship with a nursing home resident, Aliza founded Adopta, an organization that matches high school students with nursing home residents to foster meaningful connections. Aliza plans on double majoring in mathematics and computer science and pursuing a career in Artificial Intelligence while advocating for more religious women in STEM.