Sep 23, 2008 -- When the Robert M. Beren Academy in Houston lost its power and water supply in the wake of Hurricane Ike, the school reached out to Yeshiva University’s Institute for University-School Partnership for teaching support. The Beren Academy set up makeshift spaces for its student body in three different donated offices, placing a strain on the teaching staff. The Institute for University-School Partnership, a division of YU’s Azrieli Graduate School of Jewish Education and Administration, responded immediately to the academy's request for help, sending two teachers, Joseph Small and Jordan Rosenberg, to Houston on Monday, Sept. 22, to help teach Beren students. “It is imperative that we create a sense of normalcy by allowing the students to continue their studies and be uplifted by dynamic visiting educators,” said Scott Goldberg, director of the institute. The institute worked closely with Yeshiva University’s Center for the Jewish Future (CJF) to facilitate other assistance to areas affected by the hurricane. Rabbi Ari Rockoff, director of Community Partnership at the CJF, was contacted by Rabbi Barry Gelman of United Orthodox Synagogues of Houston to help with preparations for the Sabbath and the upcoming Jewish High Holidays. Students from Yeshiva University participating in Torah Tours, a project of CJF, will teach Torah and help with festivities during the Jewish festival of Simchat Torah. Although it is customary to sing and dance to celebrate the end of reading the Torah, the celebrations will come at a much-needed time to inspire and lift the spirits of the community. Schools from other communities have also lent a hand to the Houston community. Administrators at the Joseph Kushner Hebrew Academy in Livingston, NJ, and Yeshivat Rambam in Baltimore, MD, contacted Rona Novick, a professor at YU’s Azrieli Graduate School, for guidance in helping the Beren Academy and other victims of the disaster. The three school are all participants in BRAVE, an Institute for University-School Partnership project that addresses bully prevention and social/emotional learning and leadership, which was created by Dr. Novick. Dr. Novick noted that, “This is a terrific example of a network of like-minded schools that have embraced the lessons of BRAVE and gained from the wonderful opportunities that Azrieli and the institute afford.” Rabbi Rockoff will travel with Dr. Goldberg this week to further assess the situation and determine additional community and school needs.