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Nachum Sorkin has been the Associate Principal of General Studies at RPRY since 1990.  He supervises the general studies program for Kindergarten through 8^th grade, and works as part of the administrative team on other aspects of the school as well.

 When I was younger, I believed that I could change the world; I still think that I can do so, but now one student at a time.  I know of no more rewarding career than helping children grow.  How wonderful that I get to do this and get paid as well!  The privilege of helping a new generation of Jewish children prepare to take their turn as mature adults and leaders of their generation is at once ‘awesome’ as the children would say and ‘awesome’ as the root of the word implies. 

Mr. Sorkin was born in Chicago, IL and was, indeed, as has been cause for comment, raised on a farm in southwestern Michigan which his parents bought (for reasons unclear to anyone really) when he was a teenager.  He holds a B.A. from the Honors College at Michigan State University and a dual M.A. from Eastern Michigan University in education and in history.  Mr. Sorkin taught at high schools in both Marshall, MI and Detroit before moving to Syracuse, NY.  In addition to continuing his studies at Syracuse University, he taught at a local public high school and at a supplementary Jewish high school.  After deciding to pursue a full-time career in Jewish education, Mr. Sorkin became the headmaster at the Max Gilbert Hebrew Day School in Syracuse for six years and served as principal of two other day schools.  After 12 years as a principal, Mr. Sorkin accepted a position as Associate Principal for General Studies of RPRY in 1990.  Mr. Sorkin pursued formal Jewish studies both in Detroit and in Israel and has continued throughout his career to pursue both Jewish studies and studies in the field of education.  He is the husband of Monique Sorkin, who is still trying to get him to pronounce French with an acceptable Belgian accent (currently his accent remains stubbornly Chicagoan).  They are the parents of three and have three grandchildren of whom they are inordinately proud.