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Leib Zalesch, one of the "HHNE Pioneers," graduated in 2000 as part of the school's second graduating class. Immediately after high school, Leib spent two years in Derech Etz Chaim, an American yeshiva in the Har Nof neighborhood of Jerusalem, before returning to study at Yeshiva University. At Yeshiva University, Leib studied American History and then continued graduate study in Rabbinics and Jewish Education. Additionally, he studied at Yeshiva University's RIETS Kollel in Jerusalem for two years, ultimately earning his Semicha from RIETS. Additionally, he received a Masters Degree in Jewish Education from Azrieli Graduate School. Currently, Leib is a Jewish educator, teaching grades 5-11 at the Denver Academy of Torah. He is also involved in informal Jewish education around the community in a variety of venues. Reflecting on his time at HHNE, Leib is proud that he was the founding editor of HHNE's student newspaper, then called HHiNEnu, which served as the foundation for his working as a Writing Center tutor in college, editing YU's history journal, and writing for a YU Torah publication. Leib says, "HHNE provided the tools necessary for me and my classmates to follow whatever path would end up being the right one for each of us. By providing opportunities to interact with the larger community, see the need to be involved, and feel what an impact one can make, HHNE laid the foundation for my working for the Jewish community. The building blocks were there for me to build; I hope I have seized that opportunity." Leib currently lives in Denver, Colorado with his wife, Yona, and a son. |