GOA Magazine - Fall 2022

GOA

OCH ACADEMY

Planting The Seeds For Growth

THE MAGAZINE OF GOLDA

AND ALUMNI OF SOLOMON SCHECHTER DAY SCHOOL OF ESSEX & UNION

We are so excited about the newest addition to the Wilf Lower School garden this fall ... apple trees! Special thanks to Abby and Isaac and the Elbaum family for donating our first four apple trees and for helping to care for them. We can’t wait to see our trees in bloom and to grow our very own apples!

FROM THE HEAD OF SCHOOL

The late, great folk musician Pete Seeger had a delightful way of singing “The Garden Song,” by David Mallet. I especially like the second stanza:

Inch by inch, row by row Please bless these seeds I sow Please keep them safe below ‘Til the rain comes tumbling down

The gardens of our Lower and Upper Schools have become some of the most popular spaces at GOA for children, parents and staff, as well as for butterflies and the occasional groundhog. They are living laboratories where our students learn biology, come to appreciate the hard work that goes into growing produce and feel a sense of ownership and accomplishment.

We understand that gardening is a spiritual enterprise. The Torah begins with God placing Adam and Eve in a bountiful garden “to work it and preserve it.” Caring for other life forms is key to our physical survival and it cultivates a moral sensibility for young and old alike.

I have been impressed by GOA gardeners as young as Ganon and also by High School students who have expanded their sense of responsibility to the broader environment. For example, our High School Climate Activism Club requested that GOA join the Jewish Youth Climate Movement organized by Hazon. I applaud our student activists and gladly enrolled our school in this worthy cause. We will look for opportunities for GOA to reduce carbon emissions and address other climaterelated issues.

Growth is, of course, a metaphor for all that we do as educators at GOA. From Pre-K through 12th grade our students are constantly working on problem solving, learning new skills in the process. They grow in unpredictable ways, just as plants often do in a garden. Our purpose is not to produce identical fruits, but rather healthy and diverse ones. I don’t know who Pete Seeger was addressing when he sang, “please bless these seeds I sow,” but I certainly relate to this prayer as a Jew.

Jewish theology teaches us that the world was not created only once, but that it is renewed constantly, each day. Just as the light of our sun reaches earth daily and allows life to thrive, so too does divine love infuse us with the capacity to grow, to learn, and to love one another, as does our great school. Golda Och Academy was not established one time alone, way back in 1965. Our school is created again and again, day by day, with enormous care, skill and resilience. May God bless our school – its students, teachers and staff, and their families – with healthy, hardy and happy new growth this year.

Rabbi Daniel Nevins Head of School

FROM THE DIRECTOR OF INSTITUTIONAL ADVANCEMENT

We are excited about so many happenings at Golda Och Academy this fall. Our ninth graders returned from an incredible Na’ale Israel experience, accompanied by our Head of School Rabbi Nevins. Our Middle and High School sports teams wrapped up their fall season — with many wins! Our talented High School actors recently wowed audiences in two outdoor performances of Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night. Our fifth graders are preparing for their first Torah readings while Middle School students joyously celebrated B’nai Mitzvot at our Upper School campus with their friends, family and clergy.

As the weather grows cooler, we look forward to Thanksgiving and Hanukkah. We are thrilled to be welcoming back our alumni at two special events in November and December — our Thanksgiving College Alumni Open House on Wednesday, November 23 and our special College Alumni Basketball Game on Wednesday, December 21 before winter break. We are proud of our alumni outreach program. The impact of the Golda Och Academy experience grows stronger after graduation, and friendships made at our school last a lifetime.

During this season of giving back and gratitude, we ask for your partnership and support of our important Golda Och Academy 2022-23 Annual Fund campaign - Growing Together. This important campaign provides us with the necessary resources to ensure that we can continue to provide a top academic and extracurricular experience for our students that includes excellent faculty, innovative curricula, experiential education and leadership opportunities, and state-of-the-art facilities like our new Upper School Fabrication Lab. This campaign is based on our core value of kehilah (community) and allows us to be accessible to those families in need of financial aid.

Lo alecha hamlacha ligmor… It is not our duty to complete the work, but neither are we free to desist from it. Together, we can ensure the strength and vitality of our school community. To give now or to learn more, please go online at www. goldaochacademy.org/annualfund or call (973) 602-3612.

We wish all our Golda Och Academy extended family our very best for a holiday season of gratitude, joy and light.

B’yididut (in friendship),

Stephanie Bash-Soudry Director of Institutional Advancement

Planting The Seeds For Growth

The Golda Och Academy journey is one of growth. It’s the growth of our students, our alumni and our community. This growth and renewal is embedded in all aspects of our school, which is why we are so excited about one of our newest projects — our school gardens.

On our Wilf Lower School Campus, Ms. Jul McCormick-Anesh, Director of the Lower School Garden, has transformed the garden into a space all students can enjoy, creating the Environmental Elective for students in Pre-K through 5th grade. “Our garden is such a special place for the students to explore, take ownership of what we grow and literally see the fruits of their labor,” said Ms. Jul. “They learn how food gets to our tables and to truly care for the world they are living in.”

Last year, our students made a commitment that everything harvested in the garden would be donated to those less fortunate after learning about food insecurity. Because of this commitment, students and incoming families volunteered to help care for the garden over the summer and donated harvested vegetables to local pantries. “Our students learn that community is about helping each other and that harvesting and donating vegetables benefits others,” said Rabbi Meirav Kallush, Lower School Rabbi and Director of Israel Education. “They learn they are a part of something bigger for the greater good.”

Ms. Jul works closely with Rabbi Meirav to make important connections between Judaism and our earth. Students learn about the Jewish value of Shomrei Adamah, that we are all guardians and stewards of our earth. Rabbi Meirav also connects the Jewish calendar and holidays to the garden, agriculture in Israel

and stresses the importance of water. During the 2021-22 school year, for example, Lower School students were taught about the shmita year, which is the seventh year when the soil in Israel is not cultivated.

The garden, of course, is also a place for leadership skills to develop. Our Gan-5th Grade Buddy program spends time working in the garden together. This allows our oldest students in the Wilf Lower School Campus to act as role models for one of the youngest grades. In the early spring of 2022, the two grades joined together to plant parsley,

which they were able to take home to use at their Passover seders.

Yet to keep the momentum and excitement of the garden year round, GOA announced the Greenhouse Project last spring. “The greenhouse will allow us to have a classroom year round and grow everything we want to grow in the garden from seed,” said Ms. Jul. “The students will see the whole process from seed to fruit. It would mean more hands-on education, more environmental education and learning how to grow food and take care of the earth.”

Fundraising for the project is still underway!

Rendering of the future greenhouse at the Wilf Lower School Campus

To help support the greenhouse, visit https://www.goldaochacademy.org/ giving/greenhouse-project or contact Stephanie Bash-Soudry sbashsoudry@goldaochacademy.org 973-602-3612.

PLANTING THE SEEDS FOR GROWTH

This past spring, Upper School students, parents and school staff came together to renew the garden in the lower parking lot of the Eric F. Ross Campus. Thanks to a GO For It grant, Judaics faculty member Rabbi Shira Johnston was able to recultivate the Upper School garden and in the future, plans to offer a Judaics elective called Judaism and the Environment. She is also acting as the advisor for the gardening clubs at the Upper School. “I wanted to restart the gardening club so that students and their families could enjoy a communitybased, outdoor activity to bring everybody together again after more than two years of remote and hybrid learning and connecting socially over Zoom,” said Rabbi Johnston.

Alumna and school parent Rachel Schwarz ’87, school parent Lisa Buber and Director of Institutional Advancement Stephanie BashSoudry all lent their gardening expertise to help plant new vegetation and flowers along

with student volunteers. Jesse Schiffman ’25, Theo Buber ’28, Daniel Shapiro ’23 and Izzy Zellan ’23 were key volunteers helping to launch this project and recruit their classmates and peers. Our students all look forward to continuing this work as members of our Middle School and High School gardening clubs. “I wanted to get involved and restart the GOA garden at the Upper School because I wanted it to be a tool that strengthened the GOA kehillah (community),” said Jesse Schiffman ’25. “The garden did just that through Middle School and High School collaboration in planting the garden in the spring. Throughout the summer there were watering and harvesting events with kids from both the Lower and Upper schools and some faculty families. We plan to continue growing the garden so one day we can give back to our community by donating our harvests to food insecurity companies like the Community Food Bank of New Jersey.”

Shira Grosman ’11 attended Washington University in St. Louis, where she received a Bachelor of Science in Architecture with a minor in Philosophy. After working for a few years, she attended Harvard University Graduate School of Design where she received dual masters in Landscape Architecture and Design Studies in Urbanism, Landscape and Ecology. “I grew up with a spatial understanding of the world and materials and was drawn to landscape architecture because the field operates at multiple scales and creates spaces for the public,” said Shira. “I also think, currently, it is more directly addressing the climate crisis than architecture, and that excites me.

Currently, Shira works at SCAPE Landscape Architecture in NYC on a variety of projects at once, from resiliency plans to built, site specific works. She is working on a riverfront park for a museum in Jacksonville as well as a county-wide resiliency plan in New York State. “I have some very good friends from my Schechter class who also live in New York who I speak to and see often,” she said. “One of the perks of moving back to New York has been the proximity to these women, who I’ve been friends with for more than 15 years!”

Alumni Spotlight

Rachel Schwarz ’87 was instrumental in lending her expertise during the launch of our Upper School garden this past spring, and GOA is grateful for her green thumb and her assistance!

As a proud alumna, Rachel has maintained her ties, sending her two boys to GOA. Having instilled a love of gardening in her children, Rachel’s son Jesse, a sophomore, is involved in the Upper School gardening club. “Gardening is a family affair as Jesse and I work on our front yard vegetable garden together,” said Rachel. “We are thrilled to be a part of the GOA Upper School garden.”

New Holocaust Gardens at GOA

GOA was honored to participate in The Daffodil Project last year — a worldwide project to plant 1.5 million daffodils in memory of the 1.5 million children who perished in the Holocaust and in support of children who continue to suffer in the face of genocide and humanitarian crises in the world today. The Daffodil Project is an initiative of Am Yisrael Chai, a nonprofit Holocaust Education and Genocide Awareness Organization. According to the organization, the daffodil was chosen for the project because of its similar shape to the Jewish stars the Jews were forced to wear during the Holocaust and for its color, as yellow is the color of remembrance. The flower also continues to bloom each spring, signifying hope and renewal.

Our Lower School Holocaust garden is located by the amphitheater while our Upper School Holocaust garden is on the hill adjacent to the parking lot.

For more information, contact Erin Sternthal esternthal@goldaochacademy.org.

Rachel currently works at UBS Financial Services as Vice President of Investments and is on the board of the Greater Newark Conservancy (GNC), which works to promote the health and well being of Newark residents through environmental, food, and racial justice.

According to Rachel, her parents were early supporters of the Greater Newark Conservancy since its beginning in 1987. “I believe in the mission of GNC, which is strengthening community through environmental, food and racial justice,” she said. “Being on the board of the Conservancy has deeply enriched my life, and I have brought along family and friends who have become involved as volunteers and supporters.”

As the Development Chair, Rachel engages in fundraising and “friendraising” as well as promoting the programs that provide access to green spaces, fresh food and educational programs at its two locations: Prince Street and the Hawthorne Avenue urban farm. “Gardening and working side by side with our Newark neighbors is satisfying and fun,” said Rachel, “and helps focus on our similarities, not our differences.”

Rachel added that GNC is in the midst of a capital campaign to finish restoring a gorgeous and historic 1880 synagogue building to increase program space. The synagogue’s founding rabbi was her great grandfather, Isaac Schwarz.

STUDENT LIFE Class of 2022 Graduation

College Matriculations

Binghamton University

Brown University

Case Western Reserve University

College of Staten Island

Cornell University

Drexel University

Emory University Indiana University

Lafayette College

Michigan State University

Muhlenberg College

Northwestern University

Syracuse University

University of Colorado at Boulder

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign University of Maryland

University of Michigan

University of Massachusetts at Amherst University of Rhode Island

Yael Abergel Salutatorian

Hannah Stoch Valedictorian

Dr. Eytan Apter Upper School Principal

Rabbi Danny Nevins Head of School

Rabbi Jesse Nagelberg ’12 10-Year Alumni Speaker

Meet Our New Faculty and Staff

Last spring, we were excited to report about the new Faculty Excellence Initiative made possible by generous transformational gifts by the Jane and Dan Och Family Foundation and the Wilf Family Foundation as part of our new Go Forward campaign. This support allowed us in April 2022 to launch a new faculty compensation model across our entire school. The goal of this new program is to inspire our faculty to innovate and collaborate. It emphasizes leadership, professional development, growth and mentoring. Thank you to our CFO/COO Ms. Julia Malaga, Director of Human Resources and Talent Development Mr. George Paulick and the Faculty Compensation Committee for their leadership on this important initiative.

As part of this program, we welcomed 22 new faculty and staff members for the 2022-23 school year to help provide our students with the best possible education at GOA. These new faculty members have joined our outstanding faculty team across both campuses in nearly every department working with Pre-K through 12th grade students. We hope that our families and students have enjoyed meeting and working with these new excellent and highly-qualified professionals. “We are truly grateful to the Jane and Dan Och Family Foundation, the Wilf Family Foundation, and many other generous donors for enabling our school to focus on faculty excellence and provide the most exceptional faculty and staff for our students,” said Head of School Rabbi Danny Nevins.

Dr. Arco Jeng Science Faculty, Upper School

Dr. Arco Jeng retired after 12 years of dedicated service to Golda Och Academy students as a beloved teacher of physics, mathematics and robotics in our Upper School. Dr. Jeng was founder and coach of the Coderunners, our robotics team, dedicating countless hours to working with our students as they competed at regional, national and international robotics competitions. He also fostered a love of science as a mentor for the E2K club, Science Enrichment club and as coach for the Middle School and High School Science Olympiad teams.

Rina Yuhaev

Hebrew Faculty, Upper School

Morah Rina Yuhaev retired after 18 wonderful years of dedicated service teaching Hebrew to Golda Och Academy students. Morah Yuhaev created excitement in her classroom and instilled in her students a great love of learning. She brought tremendous energy and ruach to her tefillah classes and encouraged her students to reflect during these important spiritual sessions. Morah Yuhaev fostered a great love of Israel in our Middle School and High School students.

Retirements Years of Service Milestones

Flora Musleah Dean of Faculty, Upper School

After 20 years of dedicated service, Flora Musleah has retired from Golda Och Academy. Over the years, she has served as a Judaic Studies teacher, Judaic Studies chair, mentor to faculty and, most recently, as our Upper School Dean of Faculty since 2016. In her capacity as Judaic Studies chair and mentor, she served as a compassionate and wise advisor and supported much of the faculty as she skillfully guided, mentored, and inspired educators to create new strategies that have engaged and excited countless students. She loved to challenge her students to seek knowledge and note nuance within and beyond the four corners of any literature she introduced to them and relished those students’ “a-ha moments.”

As the Upper School Dean of Faculty, Ms. Musleah helped create a school culture focused on professional development wherein faculty and staff had the opportunity to learn from her expertise and grow as professionals. She was instrumental in helping to create a partnership with the Jewish Federation of Greater MetroWest and establishing programs as part of the Quest for Teaching Excellence, collaborating with colleagues from local day schools in deeply impactful ways.

Tina Abrahamian

Stephanie Bash-Soudry

Dr. Samara Grossman

Arts Specialist and Librarian, Lower School

Our Wilf Lower School Campus is truly fortunate to have Dr. Samara Grossman as part of our faculty, bringing her wealth of experience in the theater, love of performing arts and her passion for literature to our students. In her second year at GOA, Dr. Samara is the Arts Specialist, teaching library for all grades, 4th and 5th grade music, various recess clubs and Funtracks (GOA’s after-school program at the Lower School). She is also running the school musicals. This year, there will be three Pre-K-2nd grade mini shows and one for grades 3-5.

Last spring, Dr. Samara helped bring the performing arts to GOA with the first-ever Lower School musical - Lion King Kids! “It was really exciting to direct the first Lower School show,” said Dr. Samara. “Aside from it being a lot of fun, participating in shows teaches children poise, respect, teamwork, public speaking, and courage. I can’t wait to do it again this year and to keep expanding the program.”

Many of our students knew Dr. Samara prior to her joining GOA in 2021 as she spent 21 years at the JCC MetroWest in West Orange as the Producing Artistic Director of the Children and Teen Production Companies. She has also worked at the NJY Camps and published several pieces including articles, her doctoral dissertation and two children’s books: Princess Hypalotta Hippo and Princess Davinia Duck.

Most of Dr. Samara’s career has been involved with the performing arts. She attended the American Musical and Dramatic Academy in NYC. She also worked behind the scenes on Broadway at the Palace theater for Beauty and the Beast and at the New Amsterdam Theater for King David, The Premier of Hercules, and Lion King. She even worked off-Broadway as a director/ choreographer at the Times Square Experience Center, Dylan’s, The Duplex, and The Player’s Theater. She then went on to earn her Bachelor’s in English Literature, Master’s in Liberal Studies with a certificate in Holocaust and Genocide Studies, and

Doctorate in Literary Studies with a Musical Theater Scholarly Dissertation.

Since joining GOA, Dr. Samara said she really loves working at school. “GOA feels like a family. Everyone is supportive and encouraging.”

As for what she is looking forward to most this year, she really couldn’t say. “ I don’t think there is one thing I look forward to since I have my hands in so many things, but exposing students to the love of reading, music, and theater is the most important because of the people it helps them become compassionate, empathetic, informed, wellrounded members of our community who make me very proud!”

Dr. Samara’s Favorites

Jonathan Hefetz

Language Arts Department Chair, Upper School

Upper School Language Arts Department

Chair Jonathan Hefetz has combined his past experiences and background with a love of poetry and literature to strengthen his department over the last nine years. From launching the ever-popular Battle of the Bards slam poetry tournament to revamping the now award-winning school newspaper, Mr. Hefetz continues to make Language Arts relatable and relevant to our students. We sat down with Mr. Hefetz to learn more about how and why he became an English teacher and how he continues to inspire students.

What was your career path prior to joining GOA?

During undergrad, I was pursuing a career in sports journalism and was able to get my feet wet as a sports reporter for the local newspaper, the Press & Sun-Bulletin. It was a great experience, but it wasn’t the energizing field I thought it would be. After I left Binghamton and returned home, I spent 1.5 years as a trademark researcher. Cubicle life just wasn’t for me and that’s when I had to do some real reflection. I realized I enjoyed working with kids more than adults, and I needed opportunities to be creative (I was a serious art student at an arts high school in Manhattan, and I greatly missed a creative, collaborative environment.)

I then worked as an English teacher for the NYC Department of Education. After a few years in New York, I decided to relocate to New Jersey and have been at GOA ever since.

How long have you been at GOA? Can you describe your positions over the years?

The 2022-23 year will be my ninth year at GOA! Being a Language Arts teacher has been the consistent position, but in addition I have been the advisor for the High School newspaper, The Flame (2014-2019); the advisor for the Upper School literary magazine, Nuts ‘n’ Raisins (2020-21); the senior internship program coordinator (2015-present); and the Language Arts Department Chair (2019-present). Although

not an official position, I also run Battle of the Bards, our annual high school spoken word and slam poetry tournament.

What do you see as the major strengths of the Language Arts department here at school?

Above all else, the faculty is the strength of the Language Arts department. Without knowledgeable and caring teachers, nothing would be possible. Along with that comes the flexibility of the department. We are a group of professionals who always want to expand our horizons, be it content knowledge or pedagogy. We have also been involved in a streamlining and spiraling of the curriculum which is already creating a greater degree of consistency year-to-year. That process has also been providing us with opportunities to update the curriculum. Literary movements come and go, themes emerge and evolve, criticism of past and present texts change, students’ and teachers’ perspectives change, and language itself changes!

How do you feel you have helped strengthen the Language Arts department?

I’d like to think that I helped inject a bit more creative energy into the department. I came to GOA not only as a new teacher to the school but a relatively new teacher period, so my former colleagues – all exceptional teachers and dear friends now –were veterans who had their tried-and-true methods. I’d like to think I helped inspire or facilitate some new ideas and some departmental participation. Speaking of creativity and participation, I’m exceedingly proud of the impact Battle of the Bards has had on the LA department. Our teachers, former and present, embraced the event from the onset and encouraged students to participate or attend as audience members. It’s that kind of energy that eventually led to the department taking a group of students to the Nuyorican Poets Café last year, which is hopefully the start of a new GOA Language Arts tradition. My hope is that these kinds of initiatives ultimately help students feel

heard, seen, and appreciated as more than just students.

Can you discuss some of the programs/ experiential education opportunities you have brought to school?

Battle of the Bards is my own spin on a few personal and professional loves. I was always a good Language Arts student, but like many, I hated poetry. My favorite teacher in high school, however, introduced my junior-year Language Arts class to HBO’s Def Poetry Jam series, which was my first exposure to spoken word and slam poetry. Those poets spoke to me,

and the language used was more accessible but no less polished or intricately crafted. I could feel the passion, whereas the poetry we studied on the page seemed flat by comparison. Then, during undergrad, my professor held a class-wide poetry tournament to coincide with the NCAA March Madness basketball tournament, and once I went into education I knew I wanted to develop this concept more. So, thanks to GOA’s supportive administration, I was able to do just that. I also worked with Dr. Kelmanovich and Mr. Huseman to create the BOTB championship belt to add a bit of drama and flair (and 1980s pro-wrestling gaudiness). Over the last few years I’ve worked with a number of students to help with the promotion and actual running of the tournament. I want each new iteration of BOTB to outdo the previous year’s version! That aside, I’m also pretty proud of the way I was able to revamp The Flame. Having real newsroom experience helped with the reimagining of what The Flame could be and once I was able to create a journalism elective (which ran for around five years or so) we finally had a means of teaching students how to actually interview people and craft stories, as opposed to essays with a headline and byline. We started to adhere to some actual journalistic expectations and teach some real-world skills. It’s also nice that we were recognized a number of times with national awards. Passing the torch to Mr. Langer was that much easier (for both of us!) knowing that there was a structure and degree of prestige associated with The Flame.

What has been your favorite memory at GOA?

This is impossible to answer! I don’t have just one, honestly. I can say that my favorite memories from the past eight years have absolutely nothing to do with my Language Arts classes. I love teaching, and teaching at GOA specifically, because of the ways I get to connect with people. So my favorite memories are moments where I connected with individuals or groups of our students: watching as a student struggling with crippling anxiety overcame a preperformance panic attack and performed a poem about her anxiety in front of the entire high school during Battle of the Bards; chatting with seniors before and after walking at graduation; talking about a recent Knicks or Mets game before class starts; and all of the small and large moments in between.

Protecting and Serving The State of Israel

Since making aliyah, Ayala Jones ’19 has been working

in the Iron Dome Unit of the Israel Defense Forces

According to Ayala Jones ‘19, the importance of having a Jewish state in Israel came from her Zionist upbringing - from both her family and Golda Och Academy. “The atmosphere, culture, values and education imbued in me during my years at GOA certainly played a central role in shaping my love for Israel,” said Ayala.

So after graduating GOA in 2019, Ayala (who was born in Israel) made aliyah and enrolled into Mechina Galil Elyon (a pre-army course) up north in kibbutz Maayan Baruch. There, she learned more about Israel, gained the confidence to speak in Hebrew, and prepared for enlisting in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). Post Mechina, she joined Garin Tzabar which enabled her to expedite the army admission process (three months instead of two years, which is the standard for the average Israeli). A year into her service, Ayala decided to move to Bayit Shel Benji, a nonprofit living facility for lone combat soldiers in Ra’anana. “Bayit Shel Benji is a fantastic place where I’ve met so many people from all over the world and in particular have learned about Israeli lone soldiers too.”

In November 2020, Ayala enlisted as a combat soldier in the Airforce, Iron Dome Unit. Ironically, she had just finished training and was thrust into Operation Guardians of the Walls (May 2021) where her job was to guard and refill the launchers with missiles. In September 2021, she began the interceptor’s course and subsequently manned successful missile interceptions during Operation Breaking Dawn (August 2022). Her daily routine as an interceptor involves around the clock shifts to ensure the system runs smoothly and safely on the ground and in the sky.

In addition to her routine responsibilities, Ayala has been fortunate to be involved in outreach and public relations, leading tours

of Iron Dome battery sites to groups ranging from Jewish Federation missions to bipartisan political delegations, diplomats and army generals. With this background, Ayala was honored and privileged to participate in the ceremony for President Biden upon his arrival at Ben Gurion Airport in July 2022.

“President Biden only spent 20 minutes at the air defense exhibition constructed on the tarmac, but as he was being shown around by the Minister of Defense Benny Ganz and Chief of General Staff Aviv Kochavi, I was standing in a receiving line. The Presdent asked me where I was from, and he gave me a fist bump!”

After the President left, Ayala said it was exciting to speak to the Israeli press and other important people present at the ceremony. “It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience and an honor both as an American citizen and Israeli citizen and soldier,” she said. “On a grand scale, it really made me realize the importance of the American / Israeli strategic alliance.”

“

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On a grand scale, it really made me realize the importance of the American / Israeli strategic alliance.

Welcome Home Alumni Families

We

Hillary Moore ’05 and her husband Ryan enrolled their son, Ari, in Kindergarten.

Zachary Bier ‘05 and his wife Heather enrolled their son, Charlie, in Pre-K.

Gary Finkler ’02 and his wife Aviva enrolled their daughters, Olivia and Josephine, in 4th grade and Pre-K.

Ayelet Davids ’06 and her husband Matthew enrolled their son, Bowen, in Pre-K.

Former student Yasmin Deshe and husband Ben Cheft enrolled their daughter, Joie, in Kindergarten.

Former student Jonathan Hakakian and wife Sepideh Eshaghian enrolled their son, Ethan, in Kindergarten this fall.

Marc Pantirer ’01 and his wife Shana enrolled their daughter, Vivian, in Kindergarten this fall.

are thrilled to welcome our alumni and former student families back to GOA!

Class of 1992 30th Reunion

October 22, 2022 | Millburn, NJ

Class of 2002 20th Reunion

July 21, 2022 | Wilf Lower School Campus

Class of 2010 Delayed-by-the-Pandemic 10th Reunion August 13, 2022 | Sandbar NYC

Classes of 2010-2014 Reunion September 8, 2022 | Tempura NYC

Class of 2014-2018 Reunion August 11, 2022 | Bella

Union NYC

Young Alumni Summer BBQ

August 18, 2022 | Eric F. Ross Upper School Campus

Join Rabbi Nevins via Zoom to learn where these Jewish holidays came from, what they mean, and how to best enjoy them with your family.

Check your email for Zoom links or contact Glenn Slavin gslavin@goldaochacademy.org.

Cont

DECEMBER 12 7:30 PM

The Real Deal with Hanukkah

Little kids know that the Temple menorah miraculously burned for eight nights on a oneday supply of oil. What is the grown-up version of the story? What can we learn from ancient witnesses such as Josephus, and the modern science of archeology? Who were the Maccabees, and would you want them for your neighbors today? And…who has the best latke recipe?

MARCH

7:30 PM

Purim: A Reversal of Fortune

Tu BiShevat: A Jewish Environmental Festival?

Given our rising concerns with rising temperatures and sea levels, we are eager to find a Jewish environmental holiday. Is Tu BiShevat a good candidate for the job? What did it mean initially, and how has this minor holiday come to assume so many different guises — from agriculture, to mysticism, to Zionism and environmental activism? Can we establish a Jewish environmental ethic?

MARCH

The springtime holiday has been called our people’s “master narrative” (an ironic title given our escape from slavery). The Exodus is mentioned in our daily prayers, our Shabbat kiddush, and is in essence the origin story of the Jewish people. Our tale of liberation has inspired many other oppressed people, from Martin Luther King to Bob Marley, and has given hope for a better future to all people trapped by bleak circumstances. Paradoxically, Passover is also one of the most challenging holidays, given its many rules. How can we fulfill the twin blessing of celebrating “a kosher and happy holiday?”

30 7:30 PM

SUMMER CAMPS

Leading By Example

GOA alumni apply and continue to develop their leadership skills at Jewish camps

Mazel tov to Harris ’15, Haylee ’17 DJ Mevorah ’21 on receiving the Young Leadership Award at Camp Ramah Nyack this past summer. Wonderful to see so many alumni in attendance! Mazel tov to proud parents Shari Mevorah, GOA Lower School faculty, and Erwin.

So many of our alumni—and some of our faculty—spent the summer working at Ramah Day Camp in Nyack.

Talia Feldman ’17

Rabbi Uri Allen ‘98

Ilan Feldman ’22 (left) and Dena Feldman ’19 (right)

Shira Gladstone ’03 (left) and Mallory Zipkin ’04

Mazel tov to Atara Jacobson ’87 for being appointed Board President of Ramah Berkshires!

CLASS NOTES

1994

Rabbi Tracy Kaplowitz announces her new role as Marilyn G. and Joseph B. Schwartz Israel Fellow at Stephen Wise Free Synagogue in NYC.

1996

Mollie (Mandel) Stein, her husband Jonathan, and family celebrated oldest daughter Kylie Joy’s Bat Mitzvah on March 5, 2022 at Old Westbury Hebrew Congregation in Old Westbury, NY.

Joshua Levitt has joined the Keller Williams Premium Properties division to help accommodate his growing real estate business. He primarily focuses on properties within Essex, Morris, and Union counties.

1998

Barry Levine and his wife Jacqueline welcomed the birth of their son, Charles Maxwell, on April 6, 2022.

1998

Reisha Goldman and her husband Michael celebrated the Bat Mitzvah of their daughter, Brenna, on May 7, 2022. Reisha and Michael’s children are GOA students Gabriel ’33, Alyse ’29, and Brenna ’27.

2004

Jody Lurie (nee Krieger) and her husband Michael welcomed the birth of their twin boys on June 5, 2022. Victor Allen and Felix Benjamin join older siblings Charles and Nina. Aunt Tara Krieger ’01 and Uncle Brett Krieger ’03 are enjoying their new nephews!

2005

Hillary (Aaron) Moore and her husband Ryan welcomed the birth of a new baby girl, Nora Charlotte, on May 29, 2022. Nora joins big brother Ari and big sister Claire. We are thrilled that Ari was enrolled in GOA’s Kindergarten class this fall!

2006

Beth (Goldfischer) Balavram and her husband Jared welcomed the birth of their son, Liam Shai, on May 14, 2022. Liam joins big sister Leyla.

2007

Travis Weiss and his wife Suzanna welcomed the birth of a baby boy, Mack Jeno, on June 26, 2022. Mack joins big sister Rafaela.

2008

Arielle (Kramer) Kuzdral and her husband Matthew welcomed the birth of a baby girl, Violet Madeline, on May 29, 2022. Violet joins big brother Theo.

2009

Ilana Herzberg and Neal Yaffe were married on July 3, 2022 at the Crystal Plaza in Livingston, NJ. Several SSDS alumni were in attendance.

Joelle (Zegas) Bryk and her husband Andrew welcomed the birth of baby boy, Myles Dovi Bryk, on July 14, 2022.

2010

Cory Nagelberg and Dana Ehrentreu were married on May 30, 2022. The ceremony was officiated by Cory’s younger brother Rabbi Jesse Nagelberg ’12.

CLASS NOTES

2011

Nicole Brickman married Rafi Lurie on September 18, 2022.

2014

Larissa Rosenberg and Femi Verissimo were married on October 16, 2022. The couple met at the University of Delaware. Larissa’s mother is Gena Jarmel, GOA Lower School faculty.

Danielle (Gorshein) Lyons and husband Donnovan welcomed the birth of a son, Yochanan, on December 24, 2021.

Amanda Nessel started a new position as Partner Enablement Manager at Trullion.

Jeff Shafir and Jessica Hirschberg were engaged on August 20, 2022.

Zach Shapiro and Jordan Brandt were engaged on August 28, 2022. Zachs’s mother is Upper School Dean of Faculty Gail Shapiro.

2012

Mindy Fliegelman and Neil Marcus were married on August 28, 2022.

Evan Klein and Gavi Stein were married on July 3, 2022. Kineret Brokman and Matt Giddens were married on May 30, 2022. The wedding was officiated by classmate Cantor Mira Davis who was also a bridesmaid.

2015

Sion Aronoff and Maxine Tannenbaum were engaged on October 16, 2022. Sion’s mother is Hope Aronoff, a GOA Lower School faculty member.

Noa Shapiro and Noah Stein were engaged on June 8, 2022. The couple met during their freshman year of college. Noa’s mother is Upper School Dean of Faculty Gail Shapiro.

alumni@goldaochacademy.org

2015

2016

Rebecca Hersch and Ezra Guralnik were married on August 14, 2022.

Hayley Nagelberg received a Soldier of Excellence Award from the head of Military Strategy for Israel Independence Day.

Elijah Rockman and Samara Gottesman were married on August 23, 2022.

Elijah’s sister Danielle Rockman Greene ‘12 was in attendance and currently teaches at GOA’s Lower School.

2016

Noa Barash and Zach Roy were engaged on September 9, 2022.

Noa’s mother Cindi Barash is a member of the GOA Lower School faculty.

Talia Solomon and Brandon Dubner were engaged on June 26, 2022.

2017

Michael Antiles and Amit Cohen were engaged on July 21, 2022. Michael’s mother is Janette Antiles, a member of GOA’s Upper School faculty.

Former Students

Danielle Auerbach won two gold medals in tennis for singles and mixed doubles at the Maccabiah in Israel for Tennis! Go TEAM USA! Mazel Tov to her family and to proud parents past Board President Betty PantirerSchwartz and Howard Schwartz who were there cheering her on in Israel!

May their memory be for a blessing

Dr. Kopel Burk z”l, beloved husband of Renee Burk; father of Tina Burk; grandfather of Joelle (Zegas) Bryk ’09 (An drew); and former students Leah (Josh) and Rachel (Dave); great-grandfather of Miles, Nina and Levi.

Morris Cohen z”l, beloved father of Lower School faculty mem ber Lisa Schwartz.

James G. Deitz z”l, beloved father of Ruth Deitz (Rabbi Green) and grandfather of Isaac Deitz-Green ’13, The odore Deitz-Green ’19 and former student Abraham De itz-Green.

Magda Feig z”l, beloved mother of Renee Klar (Marc) and Su san Moskowitz (Steven); grandmother of Danielle Klar Epstein ’95 (David) and Gregory Klar ’98 (Jocelyn ’01); great-grandmother of Juliana Klar ’30, Sydney Klar ’33 and Levi Klar ’36.

Dr. Tamar Frank z”l, former GOA faculty member, beloved wife of Dr. Alan Cooper, mother of Talya ’01 and Jesse ’04.

Diana Flaster z”l, beloved moth er of Karen Langer (Dr. Ian), grandmother of Steven ’15 and David (Krista).

Ruth Gilan z”l, beloved former SSDS/GOA Kindergarten teacher and mother of Marilyn Bielory (Dr. Len Bielory), Sher yl Slansky (Mutti) and former student Ethan Gilan (Lisa).

Rhoda Joyce Goldberg z”l, be loved mother of Clair Goldberg (Louis Brown) and grand mother of Lara Brown ’18 and Zece Brown ’20.

Myrna Herniter z”l, beloved mother and mother-in-law of Bruce and Carla Herniter and grandmother of Ira ’11, Moriah ’14, Jessi, and Chava ’23.

Robert Edge Johnston z”l, be loved father of Upper School Judaics faculty member Rabbi Shira Johnston, Greg, Bob, and Russ.

Ross Kagan z”l, beloved hus band of Rachel Kagan, brotherin-law of Lower School math teacher Amanda Kagan (Jef frey), father of Layla Kagan, son of Susan Kagan, brother of David Kagan and Kate Oster feld, uncle of Dylan, Molly, Makenna, Hailey and Emma.

Aliza Karako z”l, beloved mother of Suzi Gohar (Yaron), grandmother of Daniel ’20, Ariel ’18 and former student Leeor.

Helen Katz z”l, beloved wife of the late Aron Katz, mother of Lily Katz and Sonia Schwartz (Rabbi Barry Dov Schwartz), grandmother of Rebecca (Isaa cson) Lustgarten ’04 (Taylor) and Sara (Isaacson) Kaufman ’07 (Joshua), and great-grand mother of Aaron Lustgarten and Alexandra Kaufman.

Abraham Kempler z”l, beloved father of Sydney Kempler ’10.

Pearl Kipnees z”l, beloved moth er of Marcy Gregory, Robert Kipnees z”l and Glenn Kipnees ’79; grandmother of Josh ’02 (Tara ’03), Gabe, Shira ’11 and Alanna Gregory; great-grand mother of Eilat Kipnees ’29 and Jules Kipnees ’33.

Dr. Judith H. Lax z”l, former President of GOA Board of Trustees (1980-1983), beloved mother of Ruth Laurie Lax (Eric Kober), David Lax (Ilana Manolson), Jonathan Lax and Naomi Katz ’84 (Josh Katz); grandmother to Hannah Kober, Eric Lax, Lena Lax, Dahlia Katz, Orli Katz and Mia Katz, many of whom attended SSDS day schools; great aunt to Ari ella Liebman ’15, Yael Liebman ’18 and Jeremy Liebman ’21.

Phyllis Fox Lurie z”l, beloved mother of David Lurie (Debbie) and grandmother of Sam ’19 and Michael Lurie ’21.

Edward Mosberg z”l, former member of the GOA Board of Trustees, beloved husband of the late Cecile (née Storch); father of Beatrice Mosberg, Louise Levine (Stuart), and Caroline Mosberg-Karger ’84 (Darren); grandfather of Barry Levine ’98 (Jacqueline), Jocelyn Klar ’01 (Greg ’98), former student Alexander Levine (Lara), Jordana Karger, Zachary Karger and Matthew Karger; great-grandfather of Juliana Klar ’30, Sydney Klar ’33, Levi Klar ’36, Caleb Levine and Charles Levine.

John O’Donnell z”l, former GOA Upper School security guard.

Sophie Orzech z”l, beloved mother of Fran Orzech (Jer ry Marcus); grandmother of Jasmine Marcus ’06 (Jona than Jaques), Eric Marcus ’11 and Jordan Marcus ’11; and great-grandmother of Carina.

Lucy Pantirer z”l, beloved wife of Murray Pantirer z”l, mother of Larry Pantirer (Nancy), GOA Past President Betty Pantir er Schwartz (Howard) and Elisa Pantirer Pines (Alan); grandmother of Julie Kopel ’95 (Reuben), GOA Trustee Jonathan Schwartz (Julie), David Pantirer ’99 (Courtney), Rabbi Justin Pines ’01 (Tali), Danielle Auerbach (Jon), Marc Pantirer ’01 (Shana) Nicole Lieberman ’03 (Avi), Elliot Pines ’07 (Michelle) and Elizabeth Harnew (Owen); and great-grandmother of Mia Schwartz ’25, Mason Schwartz, Stella Schwartz ’30 and Vivian Pantirer ’35.

Tova Pinsberg z”l, beloved mother of Rami (Chani), Shu ka (Ronit), and Alon (Shali); grandmother of Upper School guidance counselor Orli Pins berg, Shiri (Adam) Vogel, Gil (Toby), Aviad (Ortal), Boaz and Gilad; and great-grandmother of eight.

Roxsene Cohen Plafker z”l, beloved wife of Dr. Jules Plafker, mother of Rachel Plafker Esrig (Dave), grandmother of Eli Es rig ’15, Ari Esrig ’17 and Naomi Esrig ’20.

Dulce Rosenblatt z”l, beloved mother of Roseann Levy (Phill) and grandmother of Ethan Levy ’18.

Kerry Rothschild z”l, beloved husband of Jeanette Rothschild and father of Jacob ’14, Alexan der ’16 and Matthew ’21.

Mildred Tanzman z”l, beloved mother of Roy (Brenda) Tanzman, grandmother of Brett Tanzman (Elana WilfTanzman), great-grandmother of Hannah Tanzman ’33.

Edward Tarlow z”l, beloved brother of Rabbi Kenneth (Leah) Tarlow z”l, former GOA business manager; uncle of El isha Tarlow Friedman ’86 and Rachel Tarlow Gul ’89.

Rabbi Kenneth Tarlow z”l, for mer GOA business manager and beloved husband of Leah Tarlow, father of Rachel Gul ’89 (Eric) and Elisha Friedman ’86 (Aron).

Daniel Taubenblat ’85 z”l, beloved brother of Michele Taubenblat ’84.

Sondra Wax z”l, beloved mother of Lisa Sturm (Jacob); grand mother of Sam Stein ’07, Han nah Sturm ’17 and Jared Stein.

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TO THE PARENTS OF ALUMNI:

If this issue is addressed to your daughter/son who no longer maintains a permanent address at your home, please call 973-602-3603 or email alumni@goldaochacademy.org to update our records.

ERIC F. ROSS UPPER SCHOOL CAMPUS