Shloshim for Harvey Schneier, educator, Zionist

Harvey Schneier, the first English Principal of South Shore Yeshiva High School and English Principal for the Mesivta of Long Beach from 1972-1987 passed away on Shemini Atzeret. The Shloshim coincides with his Bar Mitzvah Parsha, Chayei Sarah.

In 1985, the Beis Medrash at South Shore Yeshiva was started. In 1987, they hired Mr. Schneier to start the secular studies department.

“He set the standard,” said Rabbi Yitzhak Noble, then Rosh Yeshiva for South Shore High School and who is now Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshivah Gedolah of the Five Towns. “In such a nice way, he aimed for the best. He knew how to integrate an English department into a yeshiva school.”

“He was a frum yid who appreciated Talmiday Chachamim” but also “got a good team and AP classes at the school.” He wanted to make sure yeshiva men could interact with the secular world and pursue higher secular education if they chose that path, the Rabbi said.

“It was a pleasure dealing with someone who understood, who could appreciate, and sympathize with other people’s needs,” continued Rabbi Noble.

“He had a way of talking to kids, not really as a principal but as a friend. Kids knew they were given encouragement. You felt empowered. When a kid really needed someone to come through for them, he did,” said Rabbi Berel Leiner, who was Hebrew Principal at South Shore Yeshiva High School.

Rabbi Avrohom Cooper, a Rebbe at the Mesivta of Long Beach, said, “The (Yeshiva) bochurim loved him. He was friendly, easy to get along with, and a fine person. He was not rigid. He was a flexible person who did what was best for the student. He had a feeling for what a yeshiva boy should be.”

Mr. Schneier began teaching at Chassam Sofer on the Lower East Side where he eventually became assistant principal. He was a high school social studies teacher for 35 years with the NYC Board of Education.

Rabbi Herschel Billet of the Young Israel of Woodmere said, “We had a successful Lunch & Learn program on Thursday in the 80s and 90s which faded out. A couple of years ago, Harvey recruited some friends and gently or perhaps not so gently persuaded me to allow it to begin again. It became more successful than ever!

“For all of his crusty exterior, Harvey was a true pursuer of peace. I can give many examples of Harvey notifying me of bruised feelings in particular situations and helping to quietly resolve conflict.

“Harvey was a proud Jew, proud Zionist, and a proud person,” continued Rabbi Billet. “He was an educator of the highest standards and integrity. He especially loved the Yeshiva boys he tried so hard to provide with an excellent secular education.”

Harvey’s wife, Harriet said, “He was very supportive of my educational pursuits, especially when they went against the stereotype of women at the time. He was very loving and concerned about his family, very much a family man.”

Harvey is survived by his wife, Harriet, his children Sharon, Michael, and David, and six grandchildren.