Yonatan Freedman-Naditch
What is a favorite memory from your time at Meridian?
One of my favorite memories takes place after the first day of school in the 2018-19 year. Clary and I had ended up on the same train home, because we live fairly close to each other (or we did, before Clary's family recently moved). Our conversation started with wondering together about the etymology of the word "dystopia." And I don't recall exactly how it happened, but somehow, in the course of this conversation, it turned into a hilarious discussion about banana-UFOs, and if they were really UFOs anymore after you found out that they were banana-UFOs. It was probably not the most ridiculous conversation I have ever had with someone from Meridian, but this one was especially memorable, possibly because it was the first day of school.
What will you miss the most after you leave Meridian?
I'm not sure what I will miss the most. I will miss all of the people--my classmates, as well as my teachers. The fact that I will miss both teachers and classmates might mean that it is really the community I will be missing most.
What is a parting thought you have for younger students? Words of wisdom?
One of the most valuable lessons I learned at Meridian was how to use all the resources I have available to me. It is a lesson I am still learning, and which I don't think anyone ever stops learning. But the first step towards learning that lesson is to recognize that it is a lesson that should be learned.
Quotes from Yonatan’s peers:
I have never met someone who is more inherently kind than Yonatan. He has the ability to bring humanity, humor, and logic to even the most difficult situations, and is the epitome of a caring pal.
Yonaton is the definition of a calculator. It always amazes me how fast he can come up with the answer. His questions about society can lead to an hour of interesting conversation. I’m always left impressed. It’s gonna be weird not having him around with a rubik’s cube next year.
Yonatan is exceedingly cheerful, patient, respectful, and an easy-going guy. He is always able to elegantly float above whatever drama or frustration is present around him, and when he does voice complaints they are measured and understanding. He is extremely patient and is never quick to write things off, and he truly does his best 100% of the time. His love for mathematics, star wars, and other things is accompanied by a rare willingness to help anyone anytime; I can't tell you how often Yonatan has spent his lunches or SREPTS in the lounge corner, patiently guiding his scared and confused peers through math homework. These traits will surely serve him well.
I really love seeing what funny shirt Yonaton is wearing each day, like the irony shirt and periodic table one and the pi one. One really nice memory I have is during the Spain trip when you were trying to show me how to solve a Rubix cube.
I don’t know whether Yonatan is the Hermione, the Luna, or the Neville of our class. He combines a razor-sharp intelligence reminiscent of Hermione’s brilliance; an enthusiasm to discuss flying bananas on hour-long train commutes akin to Luna’s sense of whimsy; and a firm insistence to be kind that follows in Neville’s habits of mundane valiance. The answer is, of course, that Yonatan is simply and invariably the Yonatan of our class, because no other words can describe his unique spirit (but I do like to think he’d be a credit to Ravenclaw).
Yonatan is a very smart and empathetic person. Even in the toughest of times, he makes a sincere effort to understand where someone is coming from, and see all sides of a story. He is very patient and cares about the people around him.
Yonatan, you never fail to amaze people with your math knowledge. Your shirts are spectacular, and I only recently understood your Monty Python one, after I watched The Holy Grail. I appreciate your ability to be unapologetically yourself, and I look forward to seeing you in the Guinness Book of World Records for something related to Rubik's Cubes!
The expansiveness of Yonatan's knowledge will never cease to amaze and impress me, and I admire so much the amount of passion that he has for the things that he is interested in. Yonatan is so caring, thoughtful, and curious, and he is always willing to help others when they need it, no matter how busy he is.
