Dr. Martin & Sarah Kornblum

From Farber Hebrew Day School to the Friends of IDF, Dr. Marty and Sarah Kornblum are known for the way they give - with a full heart and without fanfare, identifying needs and then rolling up their sleeves to do what needs to be done. They have strengthened not only institutions, but the people within them, ensuring that each has the resources to enable them to grow and actualize their potential and dreams. Dr. Marty Kornblum, a New York native, graduated from the Yeshivah of Flatbush and earned his MD from the State University of New York Stony Brook School of Medicine. He served as an Orthopedic resident at William Beaumont Hospital and then as a spinal surgery fellow at the University of Virginia.

Currently, Marty practices as an orthopedic surgeon and spine specialist and is a partner at Mendelson Kornblum Orthopedics. Sarah, a native Michigander, attended both Stern and Queens College in New York and then earned a Master’s degree in Speech Therapy at Adelphi University in Long Island. Given Sarah and Marty’s shared love for Israel, it is fitting that they met at an American Zionist Youth Foundation Israel Advocacy Shabbaton, which was also attended by then Ambassador to the United Nations, Bibi Netanyahu.

It was eighteen years ago that the Kornblums moved back to Michigan, motivated in part by the presence of a vital and strongly Zionist Akiva at which to educate their children. They immediately enrolled their children thereby rekindling a relationship which had begun with Sarah who attended the school through 9th grade. From the outset, Sarah became the consummate PTO volunteer with Marty and their growing family always there to assist in her efforts. During her tenure at Akiva, Sarah chaired the community-wide Yom Ha’Atzmaut celebration for several years and spearheaded both a much needed kitchen renovation in our old building as well as the construction of a new Early Childhood playground. Sarah is currently leading Farber’s Bookstock committee and helping to create a StandWithUs Israel Advocacy program for adults. In addition to his involvement with FHDS, Marty is engaged with numerous Zionist causes fostering a love for Israel and providing critical support to its citizens. He is an advisor to Bnei Akiva of Metro-Detroit and an active contributor to Friends of the IDF, AIPAC, Yashar LaChayal, Machane and Makom Meshutaf, as well as the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews. His association with these organizations has influenced many others in our community to join with their support.

Marty and Sarah are grateful to the school and the nurturing educational environment and solid foundation of values it has instilled in their children, Jacob ’15, Josh ‘17, Joe ’21 and Jonny ‘22. Akiva’s most special aspect, they agree, is its product- students who emerge most importantly as good people and are prepared to serve as future leaders strongly committed to Torah and imbued with a love for Israel.

The FHDS family proudly salutes Dr. Marty and Sarah Kornblum who exemplify generosity and warmth, hard work and a passionate dedication to the State of Israel and its people. Marty and Sarah serve as an example to all they encounter of what it means to live a life with an open hand and an open heart, ready at all times to make a difference.