Heschel West Day School announces new name

Designation honors first Israeli astronaut


Ilan Ramon

Ilan Ramon

In September, Heschel West Day School in Agoura will being its 18th year of operation under new name, Ilan Ramon Day School. The name change was announced at a “Shabbat Under the Stars service” in Agoura Hills on June 3.

The name was selected by the school’s board of directors after a special committee undertook a year- long process to come up with a new name for the Blue Ribbon award-winning school.

Only the name is changing at Heschel West. The school’s philosophy and academic curriculum will remain the same.

Ramon was the first Israeli astronaut to fly on a U.S. mission into space. The Heschel naming committee stated that Ramon’s life reflected the essence and values of the school.

“Ramon’s bravery, quest for knowledge, spirit of exploration and belief in infinite possibilities are the very qualities that our school strives to impart on our students,” said Yuri Hronsky, Heschel West’s head of school. “We are proud that, when the next school year begins this September, we will be the only school in America to carry the name of Ilan Ramon, a brave Israeli astronaut and modern-day hero.”

Heschel West was formed in 1993 with the support of Heschel Day School in Northridge. At the time, both schools agreed that Heschel West would eventually change its name so that each school could operate more autonomously.


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