Rabbi Oratz's Decade at BT

11/12/2013

Ten years ago, Rabbi Oratz joined the Beth Tfiloh community as a Rabbinics teacher and as the Director of Judaic Programming. Over the years, he took on many roles at the school: Friday assembly coordinator, ninth grade and AIPAC advisor, and (occasionally) BT bus driver. In 2011, he assumed the responsibility of becoming BT's Middle School Principal, a transition which he feels went very smoothly, given the close-knit and supportive nature of the institution.

When asked, "What makes you stay at BT?" Rabbi Oratz responded, "I love the students. I love what I do. I get to affect and touch the lives of so many students. I also get to work with wonderfully talented and gifted staff."

One of Rabbi Oratz's favorite memories of Beth Tfiloh turns out to involve alumni.

He tells the story:

"One time I was in Tel Aviv, buying a falafel. I was walking to the beach to eat it and sat down to enjoy the moment when I bumped into two alumni! It was then that I recognized how connected our students are. The tentacles of BT reach so many places and it's great to see how both teachers and students are always happy to see each other." In fact, Rabbi Oratz says he loves when students come to visit the school. "It makes my day to see how alumni have matured and that they still want to be connected to BT and their teachers. It makes me hope that I had an influence on them and I really value the continued relationship I have with alumni."

What are some ways Rabbi Oratz likes to keep in touch with his students? He does all of the following: phone calls, texting, Facebook messaging, accepting guests at his house during Shabbat, marrying alumni, visiting different cities, and attending alumni events.

He hopes you'll make his day by participating in Alumni Weekend 2013 and continuing to keep in touch with him!

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