By T.H. With Lakewood’s unprecedented growth, a new girls’ school opening isn’t something that typically makes headlines. However, the recently-announced opening of Ateres Bais Yaakov is doing just that, and Lakewood families are excited by the good news that this heralds for their daughters.

“This is probably the first case ever of a new school opening in Lakewood that already has an amazing track record of success,” says Rabbi Baruch Sher who founded and heads the school.

Strong foundations

It all began in 2011 when Rabbi Sher, an alumnus of the yeshivos of Peekskill and Derech Chaim opened Bais Yaakov of Western Monmouth County. Originally, the school’s primary goal was to provide a quality chinuch to families of the area. However, as the school’s reputation grew, it soon attracted families from Lakewood as well as from the Staten Island kollel community.

From its inception, BYWMC was distinguished by its strong trademarks of unstinting personal attention and dedication to each child’s success: scholastically, emotionally, socially, and spiritually. As Mrs. Elisheva Levi explains: “The goal is to build within each girl a solid foundation including a pride of Yiddishkeit, self-confidence in their own individuality, and a strong academic level, in a warm and friendly environment.”

Satisfied families

To say that parents and students alike are enthusiastic about the school would be a gross understatement. “We are thrilled with our daughter’s chinuch,” says Rabbi Yosef Niasoff of Lakewood. “The curriculum is thorough but not over-stressed. The whole atmosphere is so warm and accepting and inviting – my daughters look forward eagerly to going to school each day!”

Rabbi Sher was exiting the building one day when he encountered a deliveryman bringing five boxes of fresh pizza pies. His curiosity was piqued, and the driver showed him the accompanying note, which read: “To the best staff of Bais Yaakov of Western Monmouth County, from Tzvi Yaakov and Brocha Egert.” Rabbi Sher was very touched that this kollel couple would so graciously sponsor a thoughtful lunch for the staff, and he called them up. “Do you have any idea what I owe your school,” said Mrs. Egert with emotion. “You built my daughter into a confident, happy and knowledgeable bas Yisroel – I can’t thank this school enough!”

Lakewood’s gain

At the school’s Annual Dinner a few weeks ago, the atmosphere was family-like and positive. Without prior notice, Dr. Daniel Roth made a surprise announcement. The school, which had been situated in Lakewood as of the 2016-17 school year In light of the demographic change and increased demand, would be permanently relocating to Lakewood as Ateres Bais Yaakov. The announcement was met with thunderous applause.

“We welcome them, we need them,” declared Dinner Chairman, R’ Menashe Frankel, who is involved hands-on in Lakewood’s Mosdos hachinuch. “This is unique chinuch, where every single child gets what she deserves.” The emphatic nodding of heads in the audience was hard to ignore. “This is unique because it’s individual, because it’s being mechanech children the old way, the way we used to be mechanech children.”  

And for Lakewood parents who want their daughters to thrive and shine, that is definitely news to get excited about.