Read the latest Newsletter to our Alumni
Our Alumni
We are proud of all our Yeshiva College graduates and take pleasure in seeing the ways in which they make a difference in the world. Most of our alumni take a vested interest in and maintain strong connection to the school after graduating, as a result of the love, guidance and excellent education the school has provided them with.
Alumni Profiles
Dr Dean Lutrin
Surgical Gastroenterologist
Dr Dean Lutrin is a Surgical Gastroenterologist at the Wits Donald Gordon Medical Centre.
He attended Yeshiva College and recalls having a wonderful and fulfilled school career. Dean took a gap year after school with the MTA programme and went on to become a leader in the Bnei Akiva Youth Movement.
Dean is married to Josie, who is also a Yeshiva College alumni. The couple has four daughters who are all currently at Yeshiva College.
Dean’s favourite quote: “The pure righteous do not complain of the dark, but increase the light; they do not complain of evil, but increase justice; they do not complain of heresy, but increase faith; they do not complain of ignorance, but increase wisdom.” – Rav Kook.
Wendy Kahn
National Director, South African Jewish Board of Deputies
Wendy Kahn is a proud alumnus of Yeshiva College. She has seen all her children go through the Yeshiva system, with her youngest currently in Grade 9.
Wendy is the National Director of the South African Jewish Board of Deputies, and has been for the past 14 years. She is responsible for upholding the civil rights of Jewish South Africans, responding to antisemitism and representing SA Jewry to the government, the media, civil society and international Jewish organisations.
Recently, Wendy coordinated the SA Jewish community’s response to COVID bringing together all sectors of communal leadership from around the country to assist those in need.
Rabbi Laurence Perez
Chief Executive of the World Mizrachi Movement
Rabbi Laurence Perez studied for 10 years in some of Israel’s leading Yeshivot, culminating in receiving Smicha. He served in the I.D.F as part of the Hesder Program and has a BA in Jewish Education and an MA in Jewish History.
Rabbi Perez served the South African Jewish community for 15 years, from 2000 – 2014, in multiple leadership roles; as a community leader, Rabbi and educator. He served as the Rabbi of the Mizrachi Movement of South Africa during these years and had a dedicated and inspired following. He was also the Senior Rabbi of the vibrant Mizrachi shul in Johannesburg, and the Head of School of the Yeshiva College schools.
Rabbi Perez returned to Israel with his family in 2014 to begin his new position as Chief Executive at the Mizrachi World Movement. He is the driving force behind the reinvigoration of the Mizrachi Movement worldwide. Rabbi Perez is a recognised and renowned speaker around the world. He is also the author of the book “Leading the Way”, which is a collection of writings on some of Jewish life’s most important matters – Israel, Leadership, Education, Virtues and Vices, the Days of Awe, and Life and Death.
He is married to Shelley who is an accomplished physical therapist. They live in Yad Binyamin together with their four children.
Rabbi Perez’s favourite quote: “Do everything that you should be doing with every fiber of your being.” (based on Kohellet 9,10 )
Dr Ronit Kalmek
Medical Doctor
Ronit is a proud graduate of Yeshiva College. She graduated with a medical degree from Wits University in 2001. She followed her calling and entered the Wits paediatric department where she remains to date.
While working she has completed diplomas in Child Health and Allergology.
She is currently an integral part of the Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital paediatric pulmonology team. In addition to seeing and caring for children with lung diseases, she is also involved in teaching medical students and mentoring allergy diplomats.
Ronit has served as a volunteer as a Hatzolah dispatcher for 6 years, as a way to give back to the community. Ronit has a passion for travelling and adventure. She loves entertaining and playing cards. She is mother to four beautiful children and wife to her wonderful husband.
Ronit’s favourite quote: “When given the choice between being right or being kind choose kind.” – Dr Wayne W Dyer
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