Rashi School Honoree Larry Tobin Goes Back to School

The Rashi School’s 2017 Tikkun Alum Award honoree Larry Tobin recently spent the entire day at his former school, visiting with students and faculty members. Larry, a 2001 graduate of The Rashi School, is currently Director at The Shapiro Foundation in Newton. Larry met with each of the K-8 classes, sharing stories about his experiences at Rashi and how Rashi’s social justice initiatives shaped his personal and professional life. He shared with the students the important work of The Shapiro Foundation, whose four cornerstone projects are Refugee Resettlement in Boston, Higher Education for US- Settled Refugees, A Global Refugee Sponsorship Initiative and Serving Israel’s Asylum Seekers.

The Tikkun Alum Award was created in 2012 to celebrate Rashi alumni who demonstrate a strong commitment to social justice and tikkun olam (repairing the world) in their lives beyond Rashi. Through personal and professional efforts, Tikkun Alums embody the values of social justice that were instilled in them as Rashi students. It was a special day for Larry as well as the students and teachers. Many commented they hoped to return to Rashi in years to come and talk about their achievements to future classes. “It was so interesting to hear how Larry is fixing the world,” said first grader Shayna Terry of Braintree, “I hope I can do that kind of work when I grow up and then come back to the school to talk about it.”

Larry received a BA from Boston University and MBA from Brandeis University. Prior to The Shapiro Foundation, he was Associate Vice President at Combined Jewish Philanthropies. Larry resides in Needham with his wife, Jesse, director of the Temple Beth Shalom Children’s Center, and their daughter Ruthie.

About The Rashi School

The Rashi School is the Boston Area's only Reform Jewish Independent K-8 School. Rashi draws from more than two dozen communities. Boston, Brookline, Newton, Needham, Natick, Wellesley and Weston together make up approximately 85% of the school population. Rashi’s diverse community welcomes interfaith families. The mission of The Rashi School is to provide a dynamic, child-centered program of academic excellence that integrates rich secular and Jewish studies curricula and nurtures in its students critical minds and compassionate hearts.