SHALHEVET AT 20: Loren (Franco) Geffen, Class of 2005 – Three kids in London

Loren (Franco) Geffen

June 4, 2013

Q: What did you do straight after high school, and what do you do now?
A: I went to seminary. Originally I was not going to go because I was not raised religious. My Friends at Shalhevet pushed me to go to Machlelet Esther. I was enrolled in Bar Ilan, but instead I decided to go to seminary. Towards the last couple of weeks there I became interested in religion, and what it meant to have a relationship with Hashem. Then I decided to stay for another six months. After Israel I came home and had five jobs — I was a waitress, a private tutor, and I designed headbands. That summer I thought that I was ready to date, so I went to Israel and I went on a shiddach date, and met my husband, Daniel Geffen. We dated there and then we went back to LA and got engaged. We got married in Israel, and after spending sometime there living the Cheder lifestyle, we moved to London, which is where my husband is from. I’ve been living in London ever since, and our children are Elisha, 5, Gabriel 3, and Freiza , who’s just 4 months old!

Q: What is your fondest/funniest memory from your time at Shalhevet?
A: I loved playing on our Softball team. I remember our five-in-the-morning practices, and the games we played.

Q: How has Shalhevet influenced you, even after graduation?
A: Shalhevet helped me make long-lasting friendships that I still have.

Q: If you could plan a Town Hall for the current students, what would the topic be?
A: What does the word frum mean to you? People always place that label on others, but what do they mean?

Q: What is the main lesson you learned from your time at Shalhevet?
A: That it is so important to push yourself and work hard, and not to give up, so you can achieve.

Q: Who was your favorite teacher and why?
A: Mr Tranchi, because he understood the kids, he was cool, and he understood what he was teaching.

Q: When someone says “Shalhevet,” what is the first word or thing that comes to mind?
A: Fun, and volleyball games against YULA.

Q: If you could go back and give your high school self some advice, what would it be?
A: Stop focusing on what other people think about you and just accomplish what you need to in high school.

Q: If you could start one club, team or co-curricular at Shalhevet for current students, what would you start and why?
A: I would start a class about your relationship with Hashem, that would answer the question of why we are here and what is our purpose. I would start this class because there are so many questions that need to be answered, and I always felt that at least when I was there, Shalhevet didn’t answer them.

Q: Sum up your Shalhevet experience in three words or less
A: Competition, fun, and youth.

Q: Describe the role of Judaism in your life now in one sentence.
A: I love Hashem.

-Jacob Ellenhorn, Former Co-Editor-in-Chief