Golda Och Academy Alumni News Spring 2016

What’s Inside2 Message from the Head of School

3 Alumni Basketball Game and Faculty Lunch

4 Remembering The Holocaust

7 Message from the Alumni Chairs

7 Messsage from the Alumni/ Development Office

8 Faculty Spotlight: Jordan Herskowitz

10 Class of 1995 20 Year Reunion

11 Class of 2005 10 Year Reunion

12 Class Notes

14 Golden Ochtaves Choir Benefit Concert

15 Faculty/Staff Announcements

15 Our Sincere Condolences

NewsThe Alumni Newsletter of Golda Och Academy Spring 2016

Stay Connected

Schechter/Golda OchAcademy Alumni Society

www.goldaochacademy.org/homecoming2016

Join us for the first-ever

HOMECOMINGSunday, May 22, 2016

Register Now!

50th Anniversary

Message From The Head of School

As I near the completion of my first year as Head of School, it has been rewarding to welcome back so many of our alumni and show them all of the incredible things happening in our school. Whether it’s been an impromptu visit to tour our new Dr Lynne B Harrison STEM Center or the young alumni reunion for our annual alumni basketball game, I have truly enjoyed learning more about your lives and your accomplishments. It has been wonderful to see the reactions you have seeing some of the new facilities at our Eric F. Ross Upper School Campus and the amazement you have had when visiting the Wilf Lower School Campus for the first time since its 2013 renovation.

When one of our graduates recently came back to visit with teachers to tour the STEM Center, he commented that the projects our students are working on in STEM are at the same level, or higher, than those he worked on in his college engineering classes. It just reinforces our commitment to delivering an excellent education to our students year after year.

I have always cherished the connections our school has with our students - both current and former - and during our 50th anniversary year, it’s even more apparent just how exceptional our community is. While we have marked this

anniversary in special ways with our students in school, we are also ensuring our alumni are an integral part of our celebratory events. In February, our annual Choir Benefit Concert drew in more than 30 returning alumni who had the opportunity to not only sing with their former choir directors—Daniel Henkin, Josh Ehrlich and Anna Caplan—but with our current choir members as well. It was a beautiful evening, not only of song, but of reconnections and memories.

To mark this special anniversary, we also wanted to reunite our students and faculty. We know the bonds you have made with your teachers have impacted your lives, and our Homecoming Day on Sunday, May 22 will give you a chance to catch up with current and former faculty and staff.

If you haven’t been back to school in a while, it is your chance to reconnect with old friends and teachers and see the exceptional work taking place here. We are also extremely excited for our Birthday Celebration on June 9 at Congregation Beth El in South Orange. As part of our SSDS-GOA community and an integral part of our history, I hope you will be able to join us as we celebrate the last 50 years of our school and look ahead, with excitement, to the next 50!

Adam ShapiroHead of School

ALUMNI NEWS SPRING 20162

Alumni Basketball Game and Faculty LunchDecember 23, 2015

ALUMNI NEWS SPRING 2016 3

Remembering The HolocaustThrough boards, fundraising events and organizations, our SSDS-GOA alumni are ensuring the world never forgets.


When the students from the Class of 2016 began its Neshama experience this past winter in Poland, they visited the Lopachova Forest where the Polish Jews were forced to dig graves and were subsequently shot into them. “It felt like we were reading a mismatched book,” said senior Hannah Sessler. “The plot and the setting didn’t go together. But as we stood there, lighting candles on the railings of the pits and proudly displaying our Israeli flags on our backs, the one thing that did make sense was that we were there, witnessing the thing we were never supposed to witness. The Germans never quite accomplished their goal of wiping out the Jewish people; we’re still here, and we walked out of the forest in silence, the strongest form of defense we could muster.”

Every student at Golda Och Academy has the chance to walk out of that forest in silence, but is armed with the knowledge to never stay silent, ensuring the world never forgets. Many of our alumni, especially those who are third-generation survivors, have chosen to make their voices heard through volunteer work with Holocaust-related organizations. For Barry Levine ’98, becoming involved with Yad Vashem was a way to continue his family legacy. “My grandparents, who are survivors, didn’t always talk about their experiences,” he said. “As a child, I always had questions. After learning about what they went through in school and seeing that this was part of my family’s philanthropy, I wanted to get involved. It was important for me to carry on the torch.”

In addition to his board position on the Young Leadership division of

Yad Vashem, Barry is also actively involved with the New York Next Generation Society for the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, D.C. The Next Generation Society is a dedicated group of emerging philanthropists and leaders in their 20s, 30s and 40s

Father Patrick Desbois, who in 2001 began locating mass gravesites where Jews and other victims were killed by the Nazis and their collaborators during the Holocaust.

On May 2, 2016, Golda Och Academy high school students were fortunate enough to hear Barry’s grandfather speak for Yom HaShoah as part of the Elbaum Lecture Series. The Sala Elbaum Lecture Series was made possible by a gift to the school from Steven and Judy Elbaum in memory of Steven’s mother, Sala Elbaum, who was a Holocaust survivor. Steven and Judy’s son, Lawrence Elbaum ‘98, GOA Trustee and co-chair of the SSDS-GOA Alumni Committee, has recently become involved in organizing the lecture series. Lawrence worked closely with Navah Kogen ’04, Golda Och Academy’s Coordinator of Experiential Education, to plan this year’s lecture. According to Lawrence, whose four grandparents were Holocaust survivors, one of the best ways to educate students is through firsthand stories. “My sister, Sally (Elbaum) Friedman ‘05, and I were very fortunate to have had close relationships with our grandparents as well as the opportunity to personally hear their stories of survival. The students need to have a direct link to the survivors, just as my sister and I did,” he said. “There are a dwindling number of survivors, and it is vital for students to hear their stories firsthand while they still can.”

Lawrence has known the Mosberg family for nearly three decades and described Barry’s grandfather as “a Jewish Indiana Jones” with a

that support the museum through public outreach and fundraising events. Throughout the year, Barry organizes events and most recently co-chaired the society’s benefit event, “A Lost Chapter of Holocaust History” on March 30 which featured speaker

Nicole Pines Lieberman ’03 speaking at a USHMM NY Next Generation event with co-chair of the board

and cousin Danielle Auerbach.

Julie (Schwartz) Kopel ’95 addresses attendees at a U.S. Holocaust Museum event with Diane von Furstenberg

whose mother was a Holocaust survivor.

In May 2015, Barry Levine ’98 visited Mauthausen KZ with his grandfather and Holocaust survivor Ed Mosberg to

mark the 70th anniversary of the camp’s liberation.


remarkable story of survival. He added Mr. Mosberg regularly travels to Eastern Europe to rescue Torahs and donates them to Hebrew Day Schools, Holocaust remembrance causes and other Jewish institutions around the U.S. The Mosberg family also has a long history at SSDS-GOA. Mr. Mosberg’s daughter, Caroline Mosberg Karger ’84, and all six of his grandchildren have attended the school; and his great-granddaughter will attend PreK at GOA in the fall of 2016. His tenacious spirit—combined with his family’s connection to

the Plaszow Concentration Camp in January 1943. Mr. Pantirer worked in the Plaszow kitchen together with Mr. Mosberg’s sister, and the families remained friends for generations after emigrating to the U.S. Mr. Mosberg’s youngest daughter, Caroline, was Nicole’s nursery school teacher at GOA, and the Pines family attended SSDS-GOA with the Mosberg grandchildren: Barry, Jocelyn Levine Klar ‘01, and former GOA student Alex Levine.

Nicole’s family history inspired her to become involved in furthering

the world to never allow such a barbaric injustice to happen again. His personal goal, in turn, became the foundation of my own goals.”

Additionally, Nicole serves on the Education Board of The Museum of Jewish Heritage - A Living Memorial to the Holocaust and is a member of the American Society for Yad Vashem Young Leadership Associates. In 2011, she was awarded the American Society for Yad Vashem Achievement Award alongside her mother, Elisa Pantirer Pines, and grandmother, Lucy Pantirer. She received her Masters in Holocaust Studies and Jewish Education from The Gallatin School of Individualized Study at NYU and participated in the Lipper Internship program at The Museum of Jewish Heritage where she was trained to be a docent of the Museum’s Permanent Exhibition.

Looking back, Nicole was motivated at a young age to educate. For her Bat Mitzvah, she brought the International Book Sharing Project from Yad Layeled Museum at the Ghettos Fighter’s House (Beit Lohamei Haghetaot) to SSDS. The program partnered the middle schoolers with students in Israel, using children’s books about the Holocaust to foster dialogue and understanding. “My fellow students and I read books about children our age who lived during the Holocaust,” said Nicole. “We exchanged opinions, ideas and thoughts on the book with our pen pals in Israel.”Nicole’s cousin and Julie (Schwartz) Kopel ’95, is also extremely involved in furthering Holocaust education and awareness. Following a summer internship in college with the U.S. Holocaust Museum, Julie has been actively involved in various capacities. She served as chair of the New York Next Generation Society and is currently chair of the Wings of Memory Society for the museum.

GOA—were the perfect combination for this year’s lecture series. Another alum who has been extremely involved in Holocaust Remembrance at both SSDS-GOA and the community is Nicole Pines Lieberman ’03. She co-chairs the Next Generation Society’s New York board with her cousin and former SSDS student Danielle (Schwartz) Auberbach. Nicole’s extended family has known the Mosberg family for more than 75 years. Nicole’s grandfather, Murray Pantirer z”l, first met Ed and Cecile Mosberg in

Holocaust education and awareness as all four of her grandparents are survivors. Her maternal grandfather, Murray Pantirer z”l, was a Schindler survivor and, she says, passionate about “passing along the message of ‘never again.’”

“I try to emulate my Zeidi Murray, who made it one of his life’s missions to teach younger generations about the atrocities of the Holocaust,” said Nicole. “He was involved with various Holocaust organizations, all united by a never-ending goal of Holocaust awareness and educating

▼CONTINUED ON PAGE 6


“My grandfather was one of the founders of the museum, so I have always had a strong connection.”

In addition to fundraising and event planning, Julie also conducts Holocaust survivor interviews in the New York area for the museum. After her freshman year of college, she interned for the Shoah Foundation. Like Nicole, Julie’s grandfather Murray Pantirer z”l had a tremendous impact on her life. “In 9th or 10th grade, my grandfather came and spoke to my class,” said Julie. “I started realizing how important it was and how amazing his story and all survivors’ stories were. It’s always something I have been committed to.”

Here at SSDS-GOA, Julie recalls her 9th grade trip to Washington DC as extremely powerful, as it included a trip to the Holocaust Museum. She was also influenced by a high school elective taught by former Head of School, Ruth Ritterband, called The Holocaust in Film, along with a Jewish history class taught by Golda Och z”l. “The course had references to the Holocaust and dark periods in Jewish history,” said Julie. “I always discussed it with her.”

Clearly, the atrocities of the Holocaust have left an indelible mark on these SSDS-GOA alumni and their families. These stories are just a handful of the many graduates who dedicate their time and efforts to Holocaust organizations. Armed with their knowledge and experiences from school, as well as their personal family stories, our graduates have chosen to volunteer in various capacities to keep the memory of the Holocaust alive. This Yom HaShoah, which begins at sundown on May 4, take a moment to remember those who perished. Light a memorial candle, pray for the millions who lost their lives and perhaps take a moment to listen to a survivor’s story. You too will be ensuring the world never forgets.

Connecting Generations at SSDS-GOA

Furthering Holocaust Educationat the Wilf Lower School Campus

▼

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 5

The Pines, Pantirer and Schwartz families are ensuring students at the Wilf Lower School campus have dedicated space to reflect and learn about the Holocaust in the Murray Pantirer z”l Holocaust Learning Center, set to debut this fall. Technology and exhibition space will also be available to enhance age-appropriate student learning. On behalf of her family, past GOA president and current GOA grandparent

Betty Pantirer Schwartz said, “Our father, Murray Pantirer z”l, was the embodiment of such an indestructible Jewish spirit, whose love of family, passion and commitment to Jewish and Holocaust education, personal and professional achievements, great leadership, and extraordinary philanthropy continue to bring honor not only to our family but to the community as a whole.”

When the Class of 2011 embarked on their 9th grade Na’ale trip, no one could have predicted the impact the trip would make on the group, let alone two students in particular. Jessica Bielski ’11, whose grandfather was part of the Bielski Partisan Group, grew up hearing about her grandparents’ legacy. “Since I was little, I can remember people coming up to me saying, ‘Your grandfather saved my life.’ It wasn’t until I was a little bit older that I began to understand what they meant.”

On the Na’ale trip, Jessica visited Yad Vashem for the first time. New SSDS student Neal Monka ’11 was also on the trip. Knowing there was an exhibit in an area of the museum dedicated to her grandparents and the entire Bielski Partisan Brigade, she stood before a photo of her grandparents’ faces staring back at her before she heard Neal ask,

“Are these your grandparents?” With tears in her eyes, she nodded, as Neal said, “Jess, your grandparents saved my grandparents.”

“The same phrase I heard when I was little was now taking on an entirely new meaning,” said Jessica. “This full-circle, special connection overwhelmed me with emotion as I lit a remembrance candle at the end of our Yad Vashem tour with my new friend. I know my grandparents were looking down on both of us in that moment —alive, Jewish, thriving, educated, happy individuals—the greatest revenge of all.”

Neal’s grandmother, Ms. Ann Monka, who survived by hiding out in the woods and joining up with the Partisans led by the Bielski brothers, visited GOA for Kristallnacht this year to tell her incredible story.

As the chairs of Alumni Society, we strongly encourage each of you to join us to celebrate GOA’s 50th anniversary. Fifty years of tikkun olam, of Jewish values and of our community is no small feat. We are extremely proud of both where our school has come from and where it’s going. We hope you will join us to mark this amazing milestone. In February, handfuls of alumni sang their hearts out at the Choir Benefit Concert. If you missed it, fear not. You have one more chance to relive your Schechter/GOA glory. On May 2, we will welcome hundreds of alumni to once again walk the halls of the school. They will reunite with classmates, catch up with teachers (former and current) and relive their favorite Schechter/GOA moments. We hope you will join us, and your fellow alumni, as we celebrate.

We cannot help but recognize that our success is a byproduct of the investment the community and our Alumni Society has made in the school. We are asking everyone to continue their generosity, or make a first time gift, to support the Jewish education that each of us was so fortunate to receive. Your gift will ensure that we can continue to provide a GOA education for another 50 years. Thanks to the incredible generosity of the Zinbargs, all new and increased alumni gifts will be matched, doubling the impact on our school.

We look forward to seeing everyone on May 22!

Message From The Alumni Chairs

Lawrence Elbaum ’98Co-Chair

Evan Majzner ’01Co-Chair

Homecoming Day – May 22, 2016www.goldaochacademy.org/homecoming

Register Now!

50th Birthday – June 9, 2016www.goldaochacademy.org/goa50


It has been an exciting year at Golda Och Academy as we reflect back on our school’s progress, growth and accomplishments over the last 50 years. Each of you, as alumni, has been an integral part of our school’s history!

We hope that you will join us for one, or both, of our special spring events to commemorate this important milestone. On Sunday, May 22, we will be hosting a Homecoming Event on both campuses for alumni and former/current faculty and staff members. Come see old friends, see how the school has both stayed the same and changed since you last entered our doors! There will be shuttles from the South Orange train station and from the West Orange Arena. On Thursday evening, June 9 we’re having a birthday party! Come join us for a special 50th

Birthday Celebration at Congregation Beth El in South Orange! We are expecting alumni, parents, teachers and school friends. There will be food, music, entertainment, fun and celebration! For more information on any of these events, please reach out to us at (973) 602-3603. Hope to see you back home at Schechter/GOA!

Message From The Alumni/Development Office

Stephanie Bash-SoudryDirector of Development and Alumni Relations

Jason SilberfeinAssociate Director of Development

FACULTY SPOTLIGHT

Jordan HerskowitzDirector of Student Life and Arts Department Chair

By Matt Nadel ’17Here at Golda Och Academy, there are many dedicated staff and faculty members working to keep our school running smoothly. Many of us don’t know all of the interesting details of their life prior to arriving at GOA or their interests outside the halls of our school. For example, I was unaware that our very own Director of Student Life and Arts Department Chair, Mr. Jordan Herskowitz, grew up in Texas, wrote an autobiographical one-man show, and at one time, dreamt of being a late night, talk-show host! The following interview is with Mr. Herskowitz, a dedicated and caring individual who is a key piston in the engine of Golda Och Academy.

Matt: What was your childhood like? Was Judaism a big part of it?Mr. Herskowitz: I grew up in Plano, Texas, a suburb of Dallas, with my parents and three siblings. I went to a large public high school with 900 students in my graduating class! I was active in my synagogue and USY chapter. My family celebrated the Jewish holidays with my grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins who all lived in the area. Judaism was a central focus of my upbringing, but I really began to connect to my spirituality during my 10th grade Hebrew school’s trip to New York City. It was my first time visiting the East Coast.

Matt: As a child, did you know what you wanted to be when you grew up? What career path did you hope to pursue and why?Mr. Herskowitz: I grew up reading Entertainment Weekly and watching lots of movies. I was enamored by Hollywood and the whole entertainment business. My childhood dream was to be a late night, talk-show host. I loved watching TV personalities like Jay Leno, Arsenio Hall and Rosie O’Donnell.

Matt: What drew you to Golda Och Academy? Has your role here changed over the years since you first started?Mr. Herskowitz: I graduated with a degree in theater and a certificate in Judaic Studies from The University of Tulsa in Oklahoma. My senior thesis was an autobiographical, one-man show called Growing Up Jordy Pordy that I wrote and performed. After graduating, I toured internationally with the show for a year and afterwards wanted to set-up roots on the East Coast. I was looking for a part-time job to balance performing, and there was an opening at GOA for a part-time multimedia and drama teacher. It was a great step for me to teach students about my passion while continuing to perform the show. My role at GOA has changed significantly since I started six years ago. I was Tefillah Coordinator for two years, and currently serve as the Director of Student Life and Arts Department Chair. I credit the many mentors I’ve met and worked with at GOA for the opportunities that have come my way.

Matt: What would you consider your greatest accomplishment while working at GOA?Mr. Herskowitz: I’m lucky to work at a school that I feel proud to be a part of every day. My biggest accomplishment in the arts has been directing over a dozen classic and modern plays and musicals that challenge students to think critically about the world around them. I’m also very proud of how the experiential education in our school has expanded and grown to involve more faculty and disciplines in

bringing innovative programming to the student body all year long.

Matt: What does being the Director of Student Life and Arts Department Chair mean? What do those jobs entail?Mr. Herskowitz: I like to say that I get to work on the fun stuff. As Director of Student Life, I oversee our school programming - from clubs to trips to assemblies - and make sure the student experience is engaging, challenging and fun. To this end, I work closely with fellow


administrators and faculty to enact school policies and protocols. As Chair of the Arts Department, I work with a talented group of faculty who are also working professionals in the field. Together, we offer 25 different arts electives and put on three theatrical productions, the choir concert and Arts in Action Night every year.

Matt: What are some of the programs/classes you have helped implement in the school?Mr. Herskowitz: Since joining the arts team, I grew our high school program from one to two productions a year —a play and a musical. I created the Senior Entrepreneurship and High School Improvisation courses. I started the 8th grade trip to Washington, DC, the Day in the Arts trip and our school’s partnership with Rise Academy in Newark.

Matt: How do you connect with GOA students?Mr. Herskowitz: Lunch is the best time for me to connect with students, whether that’s checking in on how classes are going, a club program idea or getting the rundown on the latest pop culture trends (Gotta stay in the know!) My favorite time with students is on Shabbatonim and trips where the environment is more open to getting to know students’ personalities and interests.

Matt: What has been your funniest moment while working at GOA?Mr. Herskowitz: There’s not a day that I’m not laughing at school or during rehearsals, but one of the funniest moments was when I walked into my office after missing a visit from alumni Rose Shapiro ’13 and Jason Roth ’13. In my absence, they rearranged everything on my desk and put their headshots as my computer’s desktop wallpaper. Another time, after coming back to school from a vacation, Mr. Shapiro found an enormous Texas flag and draped it on my wall. After these

instances, I started locking my office door!

Matt: Can you briefly discuss your recent trip to Poland with the Neshama group and experiencing this portion of Neshama with the seniors?Mr. Herskowitz: My trip to Poland with Neshama was a difficult week full of strong emotions, intense group bonding, and the occasional bus ride sing-along. Perhaps the most emotional moment of the trip was when we spent the day visiting Auschwitz-Birkenau. During our

The week stood out as a personal highlight of my time at GOA, and I feel very fortunate that I was able to have this experience.

Matt: What are your plans for your/GOA’s future?Mr. Herskowitz: This year, I am leading two exciting think tank committees. The first is a partnership with Keshet, who is helping us examine our current LGBT resources and programs for students and find ways that we can make our school a more inclusive, accepting place for all students and faculty, regardless

techis in the afternoon, the group came together to sing, to share personal family connections to the holy site and to take comfort in the eerie quiet. It was in this moment of silence, and in similar moments we had all week together, that the strong presence and bond of the grade stood out to me. As someone who has known most of the senior class since middle school, I was deeply touched as one of their educators to share these moments with them. To see the compassionate, mature young Jewish men and women they have become was quite rewarding for me.

of sexual orientation or gender identification. The second committee was formed after attending Harvard’s Graduate School of Education’s conference for school administrators this past summer. Together with faculty and students, I am looking at our current club structure and leadership opportunities and training for students, specifically what is working well with our current set-up and what changes can be made to provide students with an even more dynamic, meaningful experience while at GOA.


Mr. Herskowitz toured Poland with Neshama 24 this past winter.

Class of 1995 – 20 Year ReunionNovember 14, 2015 GOA Upper School Campus


Class of 2005 – 10 Year ReunionDecember 10, 2015 New York City


Class Notes

1995

Andrea Eisenstein Sherman and husband Josh Sherman welcomed the birth of their son, Jack Louis Sherman, on October 30, 2015. Jack joins siblings Emma and Joseph.

Gregory Abramson and wife Michelle welcomed the birth of their son, Jacob Oliver on October 29, 2015.

Julie Zucker Krider and husband Greg welcomed the birth of their daughter, Sasha Katie, on September 10, 2015.

1999Daniel Muth and wife Rebecca welcomed the birth of their daughter, Rose Fiona, on January 15, 2016 weighing 7 lbs., 10 oz.

2001-2002

Jordan Davis ’01 and wife Pamela (Bier) Davis ’02 welcomed the birth of their son, Noah Alan, on November 30, 2015. Noah joins big sisters Avery and Paige.

2003Sabrina (Newman) Bendory authored the book 10 Things Every Woman Needs to Know About Men: Understand His Mind and Capture His Heart.

2004

Jill Rudnitzky and Daniel Brand were married on January 17, 2016 at the Mandarin Oriental in New York. Jill is the Marketing director for the East region of Equinox, while her husband is a managing director specializing in transactions within the financial services industry in the New York office of CVC Capital Partners, an investment firm in Luxembourg.


Stay Connected!

2005

Marc Ohringer and Rachel Meislin were married on March 5, 2016 in New York City. Marc is currently the director of global account services at Xaxis, a media and technology company in New York while his wife, Rachel, is a fourth-year medical student at N.Y.U.

2007

Alanna Skydell and Jason Steinberg were married on November 22, 2015 at the Liberty House in Jersey City. About 20 SSDS graduates were in attendance to celebrate with the couple, and the Roadrunner even made a surprise appearance during the hora!

2008

Arielle Kramer and Matt Kuzdral are engaged to be married. Arielle is a Jewish nonprofit professional, while her fiance is a behavior analyst at ECLC. The couple is currently living in Hoboken and planning a November 2016 wedding.

Rebecca Rakib and Ethan Lililianthal were married on March 6, 2016 at the Crystal Plaza in Livingston, NJ. Class of 2008 alumni in attendance included Ben Winter, Aaron Paul, Adam Butensky and Daniel Michaelis. Rebecca is currently a special education teacher while Ethan is working as an attorney.

▼


Class Notes

2009

Sasha (Wang) Martin and her husband Eric welcomed the birth of their daughter, Sonya Jade, on April 29, 2015.

2012Jesse Nagelberg will be graduating from the University of Houston and has been accepted to the Rabbinical School at the Jewish Theological Seminary of America (JTS).

Danielle Rockman will be graduating from Muhlenberg College and has also been accepted to the graduate school at JTS.

2015Dana Halpern and her family are embarking on a wonderfully meaningful endeavor: renovating the Wschodnia Jewish Cemetery in Poland. For more info, please visit www.gofundme.com/tngd3cw4.

Stay Connected!


Golden Ochtaves Choir Benefit ConcertFebruary 17, 2016 JCC MetroWest

Our Sincere CondolencesArnold Aaron z”l, father of Clifford Aaron and grandfather of Hillary ’05, Lindsay ’08 and Stephanie ’11.

Marion Achtentuch z”l, beloved mother of Harriet Hessdorf and grandmother of Sara (Grade 12) and Noah ’14.

Harvey Braun z”l, beloved father of Rachel Scherl, father-in-law of former Golda Och Academy Board member Zev Scherl, and grandfather of former students Jenny Scherl and Sam Scherl.

Sarah Brodsky z”l, beloved mother of Douglas Klein, mother-in-law of Rebecca Feit-Klein and grandmother of Evan ’14 and Eliana.

Libby Chazan z”l, beloved wife of the late Aaron, mother of Cindy and Corrine, and grandmother of Marshal and Edina Chazan-Lavigne and Eric ’07 and Deborah Leipzig.

Bernard Cohen z”l, beloved father of Elyce Berenzweig; husband of Frances Cohen; and grandfather of Addison, Zachary ’06 and Ethan ’10.

Ezra Denis z”l. beloved father of Lower School teacher Ravit Landsberg.

Dr. Stuart Handwerger z”l, husband of Bobbi Handwerger, father of Lower School faculty member Rachel Friedman and grandfather of former GOA students Jake and Josh Friedman.

Sanders D. Heller z”l, beloved father of Jeffrey A. Heller; father-in-law of Nancy Freund Heller; and grandfather of Deena Heller ’04, Rebecca Heller ’07 and Benjamin Heller ’07.

Marie Herman z”l, beloved grandmother of Andrea Footerman, husband Rafi Footerman ’84, and great grandmother of Elan (Grade 12).

Rhoda Mendelowitz z”l, mother of Mark Mendelowitz z”l, mother-in-law of Rosanne Mendelowitz, and grandmother of Dylan (Grade 12) and Rachel ’12.

Dorothy Lily Mero z”l, beloved mother of Sherry Lahav and grandmother of Shira ’03, Lili Jacobson ’01, Ilana and Maya.

Esther Moyal z”l, mother of Joe Moyal ’80, and mother-in-law of Rifka (Footerman) Moyal ’81.

Submit your condolences at www.goldaochacademy.org/

baruchdayanemet


Tziona Oren z”l, beloved mother of Upper School teacher Einat Pinsker.

Camela Salaman z”l, beloved mother of Upper School science teacher Susan Allie.

Howard Secular z”l, beloved father of Karen Secular and grandfather of Shira Grosman ’11.

Albert Shepard z”l, beloved father of Glenn Shepard, father-in-law of Cathy Shepard, and grandfather of Katie ’01 and David (Grade 12)

Muriel Sherman z”l, beloved grandmother of Joshua Sherman and great-grandmother of Joey Sherman (Gan).

Allan Shilling z”l, beloved father of Michael Shilling ’80 and Larry Shilling ’77.

Tara DelRusso, Upper School physical education teacher, welcomed the birth of her daughter, Nicolette Joy, on Saturday, December 19, 2015.

Mike Zulla, Director of Facilities, and his wife welcomed the

birth of their daughter, Natalie Elizabeth Zulla,

on February 21, 2016.

Faculty/Staff Announcements

1418 Pleasant Valley WayWest Orange, New Jersey 07052

GOA is accredited by the NJ Association of Independent Schools and is a beneficiary agency of United Jewish Communities of MetroWest NJ. It is affiliated with the Greater MetroWest, the Solomon Schechter Day School Association, and United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism, NJ Region.

Eric F. Ross Upper School Campus1418 Pleasant Valley WayWest Orange, NJ 07052(973) 602-3600

Wilf Lower School Campus 122 Gregory AvenueWest Orange, NJ 07052(973) 602-3700

Stephanie Bash-Soudry Director of Development & Alumni RelationsJason Silberfein Associate Director of DevelopmentGlenn Slavin Director of Marketing & CommunicationsErin Sternthal Marketing & Development AssociateJames Bratek Marketing Digital Media Coordinator

Jeffrey Landau Chair, Board of TrusteesAdam Shapiro Head of SchoolChristine Stodolski Upper School Principal Carrie Zucker-Siegel Lower School PrincipalJulia R. Malaga Chief Financial Officer

We welcome your feedback about this newsletter. Please share with us your comments and suggestions by sending an email to Erin Sternthal, [email protected].

Schechter-GOA Alumnihave already made a huge

impact by leveraging nearly

$20,000through the

Zinbarg Alumni Match opportunity!

www.goldaochacademy.org /annualfund

Tikkun olam, like so many of the values we all share, was learned in the Schechter classrooms. Alumni support—in any amount—

makes a powerful statement about our alumni and impacts students, teachers and families right now!

Show your support before the June 30 close date:

55%2016 ZINBARG ALUMNI MATCH PROGRESS

Thank you! ... but we need new

or additional gifts to completethe Zinbarg Alumni Match!

DID YOU KNOW ?The average tuition cost at GOA is now $23,501

Documents

Golda Och Academy Alumni News Spring 2016