GOA Magazine - Spring 2022

GOA

SPRING 2022

THE MAGAZINE OF GOLDA OCH ACADEMY

AND ALUMNI OF SOLOMON SCHECHTER DAY SCHOOL OF ESSEX & UNION

Faculty member Yael Safran, Golda Och Academy’s recipient of the Jerry Gottesman Award for the Pursuit of Teaching Excellence

Investing In Our Faculty

GOA THE MAGAZINE OF GOLDA OCH ACADEMY

AND ALUMNI OF SOLOMON SCHECHTER DAY SCHOOL OF ESSEX & UNION

GOA is published 2-3 times per year by the offices of Institutional Advancement and Marketing and Communications.

Send your comments, questions, story ideas, photos, class notes, and baruch dayan emets to: alumni@goldaochacademy.org.

INSTITUTIONAL ADVANCEMENT Stephanie Bash-Soudry Director of Institutional Advancement Debra Daitchman Development and Alumni Coordinator Caryn Rosenberg Special Events and Hospitality Coordinator Jackie Cistaro Development Associate MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS Glenn Slavin Director of Marketing and Communications Erin Sternthal Associate Director of Marketing James Bratek Digital Marketing Strategist ADMINISTRATION Rabbi Daniel Nevins Head of School Julia Malaga Chief Financial Officer Sari Allen Director of Admissions and Enrollment Management Dr. Eytan Apter Upper School Principal Carrie Siegel ’92 Lower School Principal Karen Spector Lower School Assistant Principal and Director of Early Childhood Education Rabbi Meirav Kallush Director of Israel Education BOARD OF TRUSTEES Keith Biebelberg Chair, Board of Trustees GOLDA OCH ACADEMY is accredited by the New Jersey Association of Independent Schools, and is a beneficiary agency of the Jewish Federation of Greater MetroWest NJ. It is affiliated with the National Association of Indepedent Schools, Prizmah, and the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism (NJ Region).

in this issue

spring 2022

COVER STORY

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Investing In Our Faculty ACADEMIC PROGRAM UPDATES

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Project Moonshot Sparks Innovation Schoolwide ALUMNI PROFILES

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GOA Alumni Excel in the NJ Attorney General’s Honors Program

EVENT PHOTOS

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COLLEGE ALUMNI OPEN HOUSE

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ALUMNI REUNION DINNER IN ISRAEL

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GOA COMMUNITY HAVDALUKKAH

DEPARTMENTS

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FROM THE HEAD OF SCHOOL

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FROM THE DIRECTOR OF INSTITUTIONAL ADVANCEMENT

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CLASS NOTES

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BARUCH DAYAN EMET

FACULTY PROFILES

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Healthcare Heroes ISRAEL EDUCATION

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Freshman (and Sophomore) Na’ale GOA SPRING 2022 1

FROM THE HEAD OF SCHOOL As a still-new Head of School, I have been fortunate to experience the sparks of joy and discovery on our Upper and Lower School campuses — from seeing wide-eyed Ganon pupils in science class learning to check their pulse to fourth grade social studies students debating the merits of the Industrial Revolution to high schoolers watching clips of Pride and Prejudice and critiquing the uncouth conduct of Mr. Darcy. Of course, I have also enjoyed watching GOA students of all ages singing prayers, chanting Torah, and adding their own interpretations.

While our students are the main focus of attention at Golda Och Academy, it is the faculty who help them engage in new inquiry and develop new powers of observation and creativity. This is why I am so proud that GOA has established the Dr. Michael Och Fund for Excellence to continue to support and attract the finest teachers for our students. We have also been privileged to have Project Moonshot for the past three years, providing resources for teachers to collaborate, engage in professional development and bring creativity into the classroom.

During my first year as Head of School, I have also had a chance to meet many alumni and hear about their successes. Our alumni are truly impressive, and in mid-March I was pleased to host an alumni gathering in Tel Aviv, learning about the contributions of our recent graduates to the IDF and to the high-tech sector of the Israeli economy. The main reason for my Israel trip, however, was to spend a week with our seniors on their Neshama program. We explored the cultural scene in Jerusalem, celebrated both Purim and Shushan Purim followed by Shabbat, and then encountered many faces of conflict and reconciliation between Jews and Palestinians in the Gush Etzion. Our school is a place where traditional Jewish values are in constant conversation with contemporary life. I have confidence that our students have the skills and deep Jewish commitments to make sense of these complex issues and build Jewish lives that are rich and rewarding.

At Golda Och Academy, our extraordinary faculty and students work every day to deepen their understanding of the world, using every avenue of inquiry available to them. This quest for knowledge is paired with a mission-driven sense of values. With skill and with purpose, our students become alumni who can change the world for the better. It is a high honor for me to be associated with this remarkable community, as I know it is for you.

The Passover Haggadah begins with ancient history, but ends with redemptive aspiration. We draw on the sorrows and triumphs of our ancestors, gaining perspective and confidence to address the challenges of our own day. Hag kasher v’sameach. I wish your family a sweet and meaningful holiday.

Rabbi Daniel Nevins Head of School 2 GOA SPRING 2022

FROM THE DIRECTOR OF INSTITUTIONAL ADVANCEMENT As the days begin to get longer, daylight shines brighter, and spring and Pesach grow nearer, I feel a renewed sense of gratitude and hope. It has been a challenging time with the pandemic and devastating war, yet seeing how we have remained connected as a community through even the toughest of times brings me a sense of comfort and pride.

Here at school, our faculty and administrators have worked tirelessly to ensure normalcy and growth for our students Pre-K-12th grade. Our athletic teams resumed competitive sports in the fall, our Arts Department held High School productions and our CodeRunners robotics team resumed in-person FTC meets. At the Lower School, our 5th grade students are celebrating reading Torah for the first time, and our 2nd graders received their first chumash. It is truly gratifying to see our students shine!

Another one of our shining moments this year has been our ability to send three grades to Israel on our award-winning Israel experiential programs in the winter. Both our ninth and tenth graders departed for an incredible 10-day first visit to Israel as a grade despite all the pandemic challenges, and our seniors are currently enjoying their Neshama experience in Israel. They also spent a week in Poland during the early days of the Ukraine war, learning a great deal about Jewish life in Eastern Europe both before and during the Holocaust.

Touching down at Ben Gurion Airport after seven intense days in Poland was that much more meaningful and brought home the unique importance of Israel — our Jewish homeland.

I am continually inspired by the strength and closeness of our Golda Och Academy family - near and far. It has been exciting to welcome our families and local clergy back on campus for milestone events this year. And yet we have also continued to offer virtual programs, such as Havdalah, Havdalukkah and Grandparents Kabbalat Shabbat, to keep our extended GOA community close.

It has been especially wonderful to see our alumni helping lend their talents to these programs, keeping connected through social media and providing critical philanthropic support. We were also thrilled to welcome them back on campus for our Thanksgiving Open House.

We look forward to additional events for our alumni, and I am excited that we recently welcomed Debra Daitchman, our new Development & Alumni Coordinator. She has already connected with so many alumni and other members of our community from over the years and has many new programs, reunions, and engagement opportunities in progress. Please reach out to Debra at alumni@goldaochacademy.org if you would like to connect or join a committee.

Wishing your family a Hag Pesach Sameach!

Stephanie Bash-Soudry Director of Institutional Advancement GOA SPRING 2022 3

College Alumni Open House

November 24, 2021 | Eric F. Ross Upper School Campus

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Alumni Reunion Dinner in Israel March 15, 2022 | Paradiso Sarona Café, Tel Aviv

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COVER STORY

Investing In Our Faculty At the start of the 2020-21 school year, our Upper and Lower School campuses were adorned with banners that read Superheroes Teach Here. Our faculty and staff over the last two years have gone above and beyond to keep our students engaged, safe and provide them with a sense of normalcy during this challenging time. While Golda Och Academy has always prided itself on having a committed, dynamic and caring group of teachers, it has never been more apparent than during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Yet even before the pandemic began, Golda Och Academy had recognized the importance of investing in its faculty. Faculty Excellence was designated as one of the pillars in the school’s five-year Strategic Plan that was launched by our Board of Trustees in Spring 2019, and in March 2021, Golda Och Academy announced a transformational $10 million challenge gift by

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the Jane and Daniel Och Family Foundation.

The gift established the Dr. Michael Och Fund for Faculty Excellence, an endowment fund named in honor of Dr. Michael Och, the father of former student Daniel S. Och, husband of the late Golda Och and dear friend of our school.

The Och family’s gift represents one of the largest investments in faculty among Jewish day schools in the United States.

Additionally, it was announced this past January that Golda Och Academy was the recipient of a $1.8 million grant as part of the Wilf Family Foundations’ gift to the Jewish Federation of Greater MetroWest New Jersey Centennial Campaign. The gift will support our ongoing faculty excellence initiative focused on strengthening our school’s ability to recruit, reward, and retain the best and brightest teachers for our students.

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Our faculty delight in engaging the minds of our students, introducing them to ever more nuanced ways of understanding the world and equipping them to express their ideas with insight and impact.

HEAD OF SCHOOL RABBI DANNY NEVINS

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Over the past year, Golda Och Academy has leveraged the generous funding from the Och and Wilf families to implement the school’s vision and create a compensation framework that will help attract and retain the most impactful faculty for students. To bring this initiative to life, a committee was

formed consisting of Upper and Lower School faculty members and both Deans of Faculty.

The committee, which was previously chaired

by Chief Financial and Operating Officer Julia Malaga and now currently chaired by George Paulick, Director of Human Resources and Talent Management, has been working tirelessly to create a compensation and evaluation model that inspires professional growth, leadership and excellence. This new model will move away from a framework in which compensation was determined solely by tenure and instead transition to a new, more comprehensive approach in which professional experience, education, and classroom impact all contribute to a teacher’s advancement.

The goal of this model is to help create a work environment in which teachers are rewarded for their accomplishments inside and outside the classroom and to ensure GOA is a place where teachers can imagine building a long, meaningful career with numerous opportunities for advancement, mentorship, and leadership.

“At Golda Och Academy, our faculty delight in engaging the minds of our students, introducing them to ever more nuanced ways of understanding the world and equipping them to express their ideas with insight and impact,” said Head of School Rabbi Danny Nevins. “Clearly this is a challenging task, and only exceptional instructors can succeed with these goals. This is why I am so encouraged by the emphasis our school has placed on faculty excellence. Our new compensation model demonstrates respect for our faculty, rewards them for their work and creates pathways for professional development. It bodes well for our school that we are investing in the faculty, the teachers of our beloved students. This is our best path toward fulfilling our mission.”

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ACADEMIC PROGRAM UPDATES

Project Moonshot Sparks Innovation Schoolwide

“Project Moonshot has enabled us to expand the STEM teaching team and lab spaces at the Upper School to support our growing High School STEM program,” said Kelmanovich. ”It has also encouraged and supported more interdisciplinary collaborations across the Middle and Lower School grades.”

H ACADEM C O

GOLD A

Over the past three years, Kelmanovich said students have used design thinking in their 8th grade Rabbinics and Social Studies classes, 6th graders have used 3D printing technology to reinforce the proportion and scaling skills they learn in mathematics, and 5th graders have designed planting bed signs for the Lower School garden. Third graders have even created and used models of the solar system in science to better understand the phases of the moon and how it relates to Rosh Chodesh.

R OJ E C T M

In addition to collaborating on projects across disciplines, faculty members have also thought of creative ways to enhance learning through Go For It grants. The Go For It grants allow teachers to apply for resources to carry out innovative ideas and best practices to enhance student learning. To date, the Go For It grants have funded over two dozen projects across both campuses, from supporting robotics at the Lower School to funding the development of our Middle School Digital Citizenship curriculum.

In the Upper School Language Arts Department, the Go For It grant allowed students to interact with and ultimately internalize the literature they study. In 2020, the grant funded our participation in the Envision Shakespeare competition which allowed one student director and a small troupe of student actors to reconceptualize, block, and perform an assigned scene from A Midsummer Night’s Dream. This year, GOA will be sending another group for the Macbeth competition.

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Since its launch in 2019, Golda Och Academy’s Project Moonshot — a multifaceted program funded by a generous three-year grant from The Gottesman Fund, rooted in the school’s STEM program — has been focused on giving students 21st-century skills, creating a culture of innovation, building collaboration, and focusing on tikkun olam (repair of the world).

Paul-Michael Huseman, Upper School Science Department Chair, and Dr. Shira Kelmanovich, Director of STEM Education, have been overseeing the project with Stephanie Bash-Soudry, Director of Institutional Advancement, working to help expand and enhance student-centered learning and inquiry-oriented innovation teaching, learning and curricula across Pre-K through 12th grade.

GO FOR IT FUND SPOTLIGHT Go For It also funded Braining Camp, a software application that allows teachers and students in Grades 1-5 full access to digital math manipulatives. Braining Camp provides students with a choice of 16 math manipulatives on an engaging and motivating digital platform that builds understanding by enabling them to visualize abstract concepts and make connections among them.

Additionally, our students were given the opportunity to enter the Jewish Lens Photography Competition for two consecutive years through the Go For It fund. This project encouraged students to explore their Jewish connections using creative symbolism and photography.

Three of our students, Russell Moss ’23, Talia Goldman ’23 and Maya Blau ’27, were named finalists in this international competition and had their photos on display in a special exhibit at the Anu Museum of The Jewish People in Tel Aviv!

“The key to achieving our goals is by investing in our people,” said Huseman.

“We need to give our own professionals more time, resources, expertise and opportunities for collaboration, as well as the inspiration to see how they can make changes here at our school. The Go For It Fund has directly supported this work, and it has been amazing to see these minigrants spark such joy in learning across both campuses.”

As part of the Go For It Fund, Lower School Garden Director Jul McCormick-Anesh received a grant for a summer gardening program and started an Environmental Science/Gardening special at the Lower School campus. Over the summer, parents and students signed up for one-hour time slots to help care for the garden. With more than 80 slots filled, families came to help plant, maintain the garden, weed, water and harvest fruits and vegetables (some of which were donated to a local food pantry).

This program has really helped students to see the connection between the earth and the food on their table.

This past fall, Ms. Jul began her Environment biweekly special, allowing every grade in the school to work in the garden. Through this special, students get hands-on experience and also take ownership of the garden. As students arrive, they sign up for a crew, deciding what job they want to take part in. This includes watering, composting and weeding. Each student chooses to work on their job independently or with others. During the winter months, the students learn winter sowing, seed collecting, and how to prepare the garden for the winter. Additionally, the 5th graders helped plant a new Daffodil Holocaust Garden and also planted parsley seeds with their Kindergarten buddies to take home for Passover.

“During this special, the students learn how to grow food and care for the earth and are truly invested in the garden,” said Ms. Jul. “They choose which seeds to plant, watch them grow, harvest, save the seeds to replant and compost what’s leftover. The students even helped me research purchasing a new composter.

It’s not just me running the program; they are a part of making decisions in the garden, which builds independence and selfconfidence.”

Project Moonshot has been funded by a $500,000 three-year STEM Innovation grant from The Gottesman Fund in NYC to help fulfill Educational Innovation, one of the pillars of our school’s five-year Strategic Plan. While the official three-year grant is coming to a close, we have been fortunate to have utilized Project Moonshot to spark new synergies, collaboration and innovation. “The leadership of our school is extremely grateful to our wonderful partners at The Gottesman Fund — Bob Gottesman, Diane Eidman, Joel Einleger, and Talia Milgrom-Elcott — for providing GOA with this transformational grant,” said Stephanie Bash-Soudry. “The tremendous impact of Project Moonshot will be felt among our students and faculty for years to come.”

GOA SPRING 2022 9

ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT

GOA Alumni Excel in the NJ Attorney General’s Honors Program In September 2018, the NJ Attorney General’s Office launched an honors program that would recruit top talent looking for legal careers in the public service sector. Two of the current members of this honors program are Schechter-GOA alumni Noemi Schor ’08 and Sam Rubinstein ’13. These alumni took time out of their busy schedules to share their experiences as Deputy Attorney Generals and how their GOA education prepared them for this incredible opportunity.

Can you discuss your education post Schechter-GOA? Noemi: I went to Barnard College where I majored in American Studies. After five years of working, I started law school at the University of Maryland, transferred after my first year to Georgetown Law where I graduated in May 2020.

Sam: I felt that GOA prepared me very well for the academic rigor of a top college and ultimately law school. I had strong study habits and was not intimidated by the workload. But I was less prepared socially. When I got to Brown, it was the most diverse community I had ever been a part of—economically, racially, and in many other respects. And it was at that time that I came out as gay—which was a difficult experience for me mentally and emotionally. Throughout college, the Jewish community at Brown RISD Hillel was my bedrock and my home, and when I went to law school at the University of Michigan I was active in the Hillel there too. I credit GOA for laying my foundation in the Jewish community.

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How did you know you wanted to go into law?

Noemi: I majored in American Studies at Barnard College and was always interested in how government policy throughout American history has shaped life for people from all different walks of life, especially when it comes to civil rights for historically marginalized groups. I worked for several years before going to law school in the nonprofit and research world, at which point I realized that I wanted to not only be part of researching policy and institutions, but contributing to shaping and informing policy more broadly.

Sam: I didn’t always know that I wanted to go into law, but I knew that I was interested in government and policy making. After I finished my undergrad degree in public policy, I felt that going to law school would give me a new set of tools to be a good policymaker, more so than doing some other graduate degree. I’m very glad I made that decision, even though it’s not the typical reason people go to law school.

Can you describe your current role as Deputy Attorney General in the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office?

Noemi: Through a twoyear honors program for recent law school graduates, we have the opportunity to do rotations.

In my first year of the program, I was in the Division on Civil Rights, working mostly on policy and regulations. I am now in a rotation in the Division of Law’s Affirmative Civil Rights and Labor Enforcement section.

In both roles I’ve been able to do work on fair housing and religion discrimination specifically, as well as a variety of other areas protected under New Jersey law.

Sam: The honors program is an on-ramp for students to be hired right out of law school. I’m placed in the Office of Public Integrity and Accountability (OPIA), which prosecutes public corruption. OPIA also responds to and investigates police shootings and uses of force and has a conviction review unit, which investigates innocence claims. The work is interesting, and I’m learning a lot of new skills quickly.

While I’m focused on the details of my individual cases, in the big picture, I think that we are doing important work that makes New Jersey safer and fairer.

How did your Schechter-GOA education prepare you for your career?

Noemi: GOA and my upbringing definitely instilled in me the spirit of tikkun olam, which has guided a lot of my personal and professional choices over the years. I also think that identifying Jewishly and being a part of Jewish spaces like GOA is part of what made me passionate about civil rights and liberties issues, including preventing religious discrimination and affording people access to practice their faith in a safe and respected way. I also think that being in so many majority-Jewish and majority-white spaces growing up made me want to explore how I could contribute to broader civil rights issues to serve people different from myself and not lose sight of inclusion and diversity

because I was mostly surrounded by white and Jewish people growing up. I care about learning about and serving a world broader than my own immediate community while using what I learned in my Jewish education and upbringing to do that.

Sam: The biggest way GOA shaped my career is that I have always carried the motivation to do the work of tikkun olam in my professional life. It’s what got me through three years of law school committed to a career in public service when most graduates of top law schools go on to much higher paid work in the private sector. It’s shaped all the career decisions I’ve made, including working on voting rights and criminal justice reform. And now it’s what has brought me back to New Jersey, to work in the Attorney General’s office.

Were there any teachers at GOA that inspired you? If so, can you share a story or two or describe how they inspired you?

Noemi: I have always loved history and English, and my undergraduate major and much of my law school coursework and research projects were at the intersection of those courses too. I remember some great interactive projects in Mrs. Brooks z”l, Mrs. Friedman, and Mrs. Freeman’s history and English classes that helped me to recognize CONTINUED ON PAGE 16

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STAFF PROFILES

Healthcare Heroes Throughout the pandemic, two of our heroes quietly working behind the scenes have been our campus nurses: Lower School nurse and alumni parent Roberta Coopersmith and Upper School nurse Ilena Kasdan. Since March 2020, these two women have been working around the clock — fielding questions from parents and faculty, consulting with the health committee on Covid safety protocols and keeping up with the latest guidelines and procedures to keep our school running safely. Their responsibilities have shifted from mostly in-office illness/wellness care to a more public health focus on contact tracing at school, keeping up with NJ Department of Health and CDC guidelines, attending webinars and participating in group discussions about GOA policies and procedures. This is all in addition to fulfilling their regular duties of taking care of students on a daily basis here at school. We are truly fortunate to have these exceptional nurses who care so deeply about our school working at Golda Och Academy.

Roberta Coopersmith LOWER SCHOOL NURSE

Nurse Roberta has been working at the Lower School for the past 10 years, though she has been a part of Golda Och Academy for many years as an alumni parent. Her children, Alexander ’08 and Emery ’11, are proud graduates of Schechter-GOA. While she has witnessed physical changes of the building and staff changes, Nurse Roberta says the most important things have remained the same — the love and warmth of the school and the community. And of course, Nurse Roberta, makes sure the Lower School students feel that love and warmth too.

Whether tending to boo boos or bruises, Nurse Roberta truly enjoys taking care of the students. “When the students come to see me, it gives me the opportunity to talk about health education — review rest, flossing and how to be kind to one another. A lot of education happens in my office.”

As she walks the halls of the Lower School to check on students, Nurse Roberta says one of the best parts of her job is watching the kids grow. “I love seeing who they become from Kindergarten to 5th grade or from whenever they join the school to when they move up to the Upper School,” she said.

Prior to coming to GOA, Nurse Roberta worked in virtually all areas of nursing — from hospitals and home care settings to offices and schools. Through the pandemic, Nurse Roberta has been working with other private schools who are a resource for one another and meets with the GOA Health Committee on a regular basis and as needed. In her spare time, Nurse Roberta loves to spend time with her husband Howard and her 14-year-old dog, Snoop Dogg. She also enjoys walking and reading.

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Ilena Kasdan UPPER SCHOOL NURSE

While Nurse Ilena had always dreamed of being an astronaut as a young girl, she actually began her studies of the sciences at the University of Pennsylvania as a biology major but switched to the nursing school after two years. She began her career as a hospital nurse working in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), caring for premature infants and providing comfort to their families. After working in the NICU for years, Nurse Ilena transitioned into outpatient pediatrics, camp nursing and school nursing. She recently celebrated five years working here at GOA. “I love the people here — the students, faculty and staff — and coming to work each morning is a pleasure,” she said. “Building relationships with my students and other staff is very important to me. If people know that they can trust me, they will come to me in times of need. We are very lucky here at GOA to have such a truly caring community.”

One of her favorite GOA experiences was chaperoning the 2017 Na’ale trip to Israel.

“What an amazing trip it was,” said Nurse Ilena. “It allowed me to really bond with the 9th grade students — something that I treasured as they made their way through high school here.”

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We are very lucky here at GOA to have such a truly caring community.

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Beyond her role as nurse, Nurse Ilena chairs the Health & Wellness committee, where she works with other faculty to bring mental health and wellness programming and education to students, teachers and parents. Outside of school, she loves to read and participate in book clubs, plays the flute in two different community bands and enjoys cooking, baking, outdoor activities and spending time with her children and dog Cliff. Of course, she also loves a good mah jongg game!

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ISRAEL EDUCATION

Freshman Class Experience Israel Together on Na’ale Trip

By Sonya Katz ’25 The 9th grade Na’ale trip was life-changing for me and many others. It gave the Class of 2025 the space to be whole as a grade and experience many wonderful moments together. It also gave many individuals a space to reflect.

Na’ale involved many exciting experiences that helped us bond. We went on many breathtaking hikes, including Timna Park in Eilat, where we had to care for the others around us and buddy up. We went on a scenic bike ride exploring Kibbutz Ketura

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and explored an off-grid village. We also took many adventurous and informational walks through towns and villages some had never been to and participated in pizzur (designated free time). Pizzur was a time many looked forward to when we could go food shopping, eat out with friends, walk along the boardwalk of the Red Sea or even buy souvenirs. Additionally, we bathed in the Dead Sea with friends which was a holy and relaxing moment. CONTINUED ON PAGE 16

ISRAEL EDUCATION

Class of 2024 Have Their Na’ale Trip as Sophomores

By Josh Lancman ’24 Like any group experience, Golda Och Academy’s first ever 10th grade Na’ale (postponed as freshman due to Covid-19) will be remembered differently by all of its attendees. Particular sights, smells and flavors will stand out for each of the 34 of us, along with their metaphorical and emotional associations, but it is the sound of Na’ale that I will remember most.

The first song I connected with Na’ale is Maurice Jarre’s theme for the 1962 epic Lawrence of Arabia. The movie, about the

life of Colonel T.E. Lawrence, was filmed around where we were staying. It was the historical association that made me connect this piece with our trip. We visited a lot of old, practically ancient places on Na’ale, and it was strangely surreal to do so. The people and events and things we’ve all heard about and had to study for history tests or watched in movies were real, and they were here, right where we were standing. We walked in the footsteps of our forefathers this whole trip, but it was never CONTINUED ON PAGE 17

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Alumni in NJ AG Honors

Class of 2025 Na’ale

that those subjects can be taught and engaged with creatively!

Israel was filled with many educational experiences, including a tour of the Herzl Museum followed by a conversation with our madrichim (Israeli counselors) about Zionism. We took a short walk to the cemetery of Theodor Herzl, the founder of Zionism, and all participated in setting stones on his grave. During our trip, we also visited Yad Vashem, the Holocaust Museum in Jerusalem. This was one of the more emotional and serious experiences we encountered. This beautifully landscaped museum and memorial were made for remembering and learning about the hardships the six million Jews underwent during Nazi Germany.

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 11

Sam: I had many excellent and caring teachers at GOA, but the one who most shaped my career trajectory was Eleanor Brooks z”l. In my junior year, I told her I needed help finding a summer job, and she connected me with Steve Fulop, a former Schechter-GOA student who was then a councilman in Jersey City. Steve tasked me with creating a plan for a prisoner reentry office in Jersey City (He later told me that he entrusted me with this because Mrs. Brooks’ recommendation meant so much to him.) When Steve ran for mayor of Jersey City, I did an internship instead of Neshama and worked on his campaign. He won, and I was able to help implement the creation of that office and other initiatives. That early exposure to politics and policy set me on the course I’m still on today. From time to time I still think of Mrs. Brooks and would like to believe she’d be proud of where I’m at now.

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CONTINUED FROM PAGE 14

For me, Na’ale was filled with an extravagant amount of profound holy moments.

We enjoyed a serene, studentled grade tefillah at the Kotel, and we wrote notes to insert into the wall while we prayed individually. At the Kotel, you could hear the sound of church bells and the Muslim call to prayer and/or sermon emanating through the air. It Sonya Katz ’25 on a balcony was such a complex at the youth hostel in Agron. and beautiful thing that so many religions come together to pray and worship. Something to process is how we as Jews have the ability to share such a sacred place. On Shabbat, we had a joyful service led by both the madrichim and the grade. We were all engaged, chanting and singing together. It was very special.

Overall, this Na’ale trip was a beautiful bonding and personal experience. As we continue to grow as individuals and become truer to ourselves, we will grow as a mishpacha/grade. I hope everyone who goes on Na’ale in the future feels the harmony that I did.

Class of 2024 Na’ale CONTINUED FROM PAGE 15

more apparent to me than when listening to Lawrence of Arabia.

Once we exited the Negev and reached the eternal city, Jerusalem, my song became Spirit in the Sky by Norman Greenbaum.

For a place that’s holy to the world’s three major monotheistic religions, a song about having “a friend in Jesus” fits the sight of the city quite well. Here is the place where God, whichever one you believe in, functions as a defining presence more so than anywhere else in the world. The entire history of Jerusalem has been shaped by faith; most of the tourists come here to pray in a mosque, a church or the last wall of their second temple.

The fabulous walls which encircle the old city were built, as our trip leader Rob told us, by Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent after he received a religious dream. These types of crazed, magical stories are only ever told as fairy tales now, but here in Jerusalem they become part of history.

doesn’t really have much deeper meaning to it. It’s a joy listening to it nonetheless.

That’s probably why it was used in one of our final, most unusual activities: dancing on the streets of Tel Aviv. We came to a sidewalk seating place, were handed headphones with music playing on them, told to never stop dancing, and then guided throughout the city by an instructor, moving to the music in our heads all the time as people stared at this unusual scene.

Our enthusiasm even carried over to most of the people around us who involved themselves in the madness.

Later that day, we were joined by a surprise guest, former GOA teacher and alumna Morah P’nina (Paula Spack ’84), who liked sarcastically commenting on how little we’ve changed.

Despite her cynicism, I felt we had all grown a lot on this trip. We all matured and grew up in different ways, all following our own spiritual paths to a place of adulthood. I don’t think any of us know for sure whether the changes made on this trip will stick for the next two years of high school, but I have faith because I feel far more Josh Lancman ’24 on an archeological dig connected to them than I did before this trip. at Beit Gurvin outside Jerusalem.

While touring the Old City, I had the incredible opportunity to lead services at the egalitarian section of the Kotel. It was my first time ever leading Shacharit. We visited Yad Vashem later that day. I left shell shocked, a bit nauseous and questioning how God could exist in a world where these atrocities occurred.

What affected me the most was the library in the museum where the shelves are stacked from floor to ceiling with books filled with the names of those murdered.

Enough people for their names scribbled on paper to fill a large room. It’s sickening to think about. But when you leave the museum, you exit onto a mountain view of Jerusalem, still standing. History reminds me that the Romans killed one million Jews two thousand years ago, and yet we, and the city, are still here.

The next song I connected with Na’ale is Sunny by Boney M. Sunny is a dance song; it

Wild Horses by the Rolling Stones, is about

commitment and growing up. “Childhood living… is easy to do” is the first line of the song, and I think anyone who’s experienced Na’ale can relate to those words. It’s easier to live carelessly, like the kids we all once were, but there always comes a time when we have to grow up. But the song really stands out in particular to me now, especially the chorus. “Wild horses… couldn’t drag me away.” From this group, from this school, from this religion, from this homeland, they couldn’t, not with how connected I am now, and not with the person I’ve become.

GOA SPRING 2022 17

CLASS NOTES 1978

1987 Pam (Skopp) Greenwood has been named the Director of the Jewish Women’s Foundation of NJ. Pam and her husband Matt also celebrated the wedding of their daughter Liat to Chaim Chernoff on Memorial Day 2021.

Bryan Bier and his wife Andrea welcomed the birth of their new granddaughter, Leah Breindel Lyman, on November 4, 2021.

1979 Robyn and Joseph Bier welcomed the birth of their new granddaughter, Sophie Robyn Bier, on March 9, 2022. See also: Class of 2005.

1981 Amy Skopp Cooper was appointed National Ramah Director.

1984

1988 Tobie Strauss Sherebrin has been named editor of the Academy of Hebrew Language’s English newsletter.

1989 Jessica Shaw published a New York Times article recounting her father’s incredible escape during World War II and her own personal journey through the Pyrenees Mountains 81 years later. You can read the story at: https://www.nytimes.com/2022/03/01/ travel/holocaust-pyrenees-jewish-refugees. html.

1994

Paula Spack helped tutor current GOA 7th grade student (and former student of Paula’s) Alma Adiel for her Bat Mitzvah via Zoom and led her service in Israel in December 2021.

18 GOA SPRING 2022

Jeremy Halpern and his wife Abbi celebrated their son Ashton’s Bar Mitzvah on October 30, 2021.

BIRTHDAYS • ANNIVERSARIES • WEDDINGS • BABY ANNOUNCEMENTS • GRADUATIONS • VACATIONS • NEW PETS • NEW JOBS • PROFESSIONAL INDUSTRY AWARDS • CAREER CHANGES • MOVED TO A NEW APARTMENT/HOUSE • RELOCATED TO A NEW TOWN/STATE/COUNTRY • MITZVAHS • BOOK/TV/FILM RECOMMENDATIONS • ATTENDED A MUSIC CONCERT OR PRO SPORTS GAME • TRIED A NEW FOOD/RESTAURANT • LEARNED A NEW SKILL • VOLUNTEERED/GIVING BACK • ENROLLED CHILDREN AT GOA • RECONNECTED WITH CLASS FRIENDS

alumni@goldaochacademy.org

1995

2000

Gregory Abramson and his wife Michelle welcomed the birth of their daughter, Adeline, on September 1, 2021. Adeline joins big brother Jacob (age 6).

Joshua Reisberg and his wife Rachel welcomed the birth of a baby boy, Jacob Marvin, on July 30, 2021.

Big brothers Benjamin (’31) and Samuel (’33) were so excited to welcome their new brother to the family!

1998 Matthew Friedman and wife Randi celebrated the first birthday of their daughter, Lucie, on November 10, 2021.

1999 David Pantirer and Courtney Michaelson were married in November 2021 in Florida.

2001 Marc Pantirer and his wife Shana welcomed the birth of a baby boy, Murray Joshua, on March 13, 2022. He joins big sisters Vivian and Maya.

2002

2000

Shai Vichness and his wife Aileen welcomed the birth of a baby boy, Jude, in September 2021. Jude joins older brother Lev.

Gary Finkler and his wife Aviva enrolled their daughters Olivia and Josephine at the Lower School for the 2022-2023 school year.

GOA SPRING 2022 19

CLASS NOTES 2004

2006

Meryl Goldstein and husband Chandan welcomed a baby boy, Sam Partab Prithiani, on November 4, 2021.

Sam joins his big brother Avi.

2005 Zachary Bier and his wife Heather welcomed the birth of their daughter, Sophie Robyn, on March 9, 2022. She joins big brother Charles (Charlie) Joseph. Mazel tov to the proud grandparents Robyn and Joseph Bier ’79, Tina and Shem Tov Abrahamian and great-grandmother Helen Lowenstein!

2006 Amy Winiker Forrest and husband Andrew welcomed a baby boy, Noah, on October 13, 2021.

Eitan Melamed ’97 and Sophie (Milrom) Melamed ’05 welcomed a baby girl, Orah, on January 5, 2022. Orah joins siblings Yosef and Leah.

20 GOA SPRING 2022

Zach Shapiro and his wife Alexandra Harlig welcomed the birth of their daughter, Dahlia Rita, this past summer.

2007 Noah Drill and his wife Rochelle welcomed a baby boy, Teddy, on November 2, 2021.

Arielle (Schweitzer) Coburn and her husband Elliot welcomed the birth of their twin daughters, Amelia Liv (Aviva Nessa) and Reese Madeline (Miriam Ruth), born in May 2021.

2007 Max Feinblatt and his wife Ellie welcomed a baby boy, Sam Boaz, on October 31, 2021.

BIRTHDAYS • ANNIVERSARIES • WEDDINGS • BABY ANNOUNCEMENTS • GRADUATIONS • VACATIONS • NEW PETS • NEW JOBS • PROFESSIONAL INDUSTRY AWARDS • CAREER CHANGES • MOVED TO A NEW APARTMENT/HOUSE • RELOCATED TO A NEW TOWN/STATE/COUNTRY • MITZVAHS • BOOK/TV/FILM RECOMMENDATIONS • ATTENDED A MUSIC CONCERT OR PRO SPORTS GAME • TRIED A NEW FOOD/RESTAURANT • LEARNED A NEW SKILL • VOLUNTEERED/GIVING BACK • ENROLLED CHILDREN AT GOA • RECONNECTED WITH CLASS FRIENDS

alumni@goldaochacademy.org

2008

2010

Benjamin Winter and his wife Michelle welcomed a baby boy, Walter Emmanuel, on June 16, 2021.

Jolie (Bruch) Marx and her husband Zach welcomed their son, Rory Bernard, on February 9, 2022.

2009

2011 Eitan Morris and Sharon Murad were married on February 20, 2022 at Westbury Manor on Long Island, NY. They met at a Chabad dinner in Toronto, Canada and are currently living in NYC.

Arielle Herzberg is engaged to Zach Cytryn.

Josh Cooper is engaged to Shoshana Gindi.

Yonatan Kaplan and Jessica Greenberg were married in November 2021.

2010 Jessica Bramnick Amir and her husband Omer welcomed a baby girl, Michaela Max, on December 27, 2021.

2012 Jesse Nagelberg will be ordained as a rabbi by the Jewish Theological Seminary on May 19, 2022. This summer, he will become the rabbi of B’nai Shalom of Olney in Olney, Maryland.

GOA SPRING 2022 21

CLASS NOTES 2013

Sam Rubinstein was sworn in to the New Jersey Bar on November 29, 2021 by alumni parent Chief Justice Stuart Rabner. Sam is the Deputy Attorney General in the Office of Public Integrity & Accountability. He is in the honors program and was hired directly from law school. Read more on page 8...

2015

Jessica Antiles and Benjamin Heller were married on December 23, 2021 in Livingston, NJ. The couple resides in New York City.

Mazel tov as well to Jessica’s mom, Upper School faculty member Janette Antiles.

Jessica was also able to share the special moment with her Class of 2015 classmates (L to R): Sion Aronoff, Harris Mevorah, Noah Pearlstein, Abby Bilmes, Ben and Jessica, Jordan Schenker, Hannah Cohen, Rebecca Hersch, Elijah Rockman, Jonathan Wingens.

Noah Pearlstein surprised Julia Kolodny with a marriage proposal (she said yes!) on the beaches in Maui in December 2021 during a family vacation. The couple met at Ramah Day Camp in Nyack during the summer of 2015 where they both worked as camp counselors.

Rachel (Schwartzman) Cardin and Max Cardin had their religious wedding ceremony and reception on March 5, 2022, after having to postpone it due to Covid. The couple had a civil marriage ceremony in 2020, but were excited to finally celebrate with many Schechter-GOA alumni and parents. Rachel and Max met at a Shabbat dinner at Chabad at George Washington University seven years ago and were married by the same rabbi whose house they met at! Josh Sauer ’09 of Six13 performed during the ceremony with his acapella group.

22 GOA SPRING 2022

BIRTHDAYS • ANNIVERSARIES • WEDDINGS • BABY ANNOUNCEMENTS • GRADUATIONS • VACATIONS • NEW PETS • NEW JOBS • PROFESSIONAL INDUSTRY AWARDS • CAREER CHANGES • MOVED TO A NEW APARTMENT/HOUSE • RELOCATED TO A NEW TOWN/STATE/COUNTRY • MITZVAHS • BOOK/TV/FILM RECOMMENDATIONS • ATTENDED A MUSIC CONCERT OR PRO SPORTS GAME • TRIED A NEW FOOD/RESTAURANT • LEARNED A NEW SKILL • VOLUNTEERED/GIVING BACK • ENROLLED CHILDREN AT GOA • RECONNECTED WITH CLASS FRIENDS

alumni@goldaochacademy.org

2016

2018

Arielle Matuszewicz recently opened her own pharmacy in Staten Island. ARx Pharmacy is the first and only pharmacy in Staten Island to sell kosher vitamins and supplements.

Liora Finkel will be attending Pardes Experiential Education program for the 2022-2023 academic year, followed by JTS Master’s in Jewish Education program starting Fall 2023.

2020

2017 Matthew Leeds is currently pursuing his Master’s Degree in Cybersecurity and Public Policy at The Fletcher School, Tufts University in Medford, MA.

Ben Bargad finished his training course and received a certificate of excellence at his army ceremony.

2018 Gur Adiel became an officer in the Israel Defense Forces in November 2021.

“

Ally Landau was named to third-team AllRegion 5 honors by D3Hoops. Ally is just the fourth D3Hoops.com all-region selection from Haverford and the first to achieve the award in her rookie season. She was the only underclassman to earn All-Region 5 honors.

The Bruch brothers are out to build the Amazon of NFTs.

”

Zach Bruch ’12 and Max Bruch ‘16 were recognized in the 2022 Forbes 30 Under 30 North America list for the Consumer Technology company they cofounded, RECUR.

GOA SPRING 2022 23

IN MEMORIAM

Sara Manor Cohen z”l Sara Manor Cohen z”l (Morah Sari), beloved former GOA faculty member; mother of Einat Manor (Erik Shvartsman), Alon Manor (Michal), Arik Cohen and Dan Cohen; grandmother of Bar Manor, Rom Manor, Ben Manor, Eden Shvartsman and Natalie Shvartsman; and sister of Avraham Ganor (Raya).

24 GOA SPRING 2022

Morah Sari was a beloved Golda Och Academy faculty member who served as a teacher on both Lower and Upper School campuses for more than 25 years. Her dedication to her students truly transcended the Judaic Studies and Hebrew classrooms in which she taught.

Every student who was privileged to learn from Morah Sari understood how much she cared for them.

Her commitment to their growth, achievement, and success was unwavering.

Even those GOA students who were not privileged to have her as a teacher came to care for her as she always greeted every child with a smile and their name. Morah Sari made time not only to share her expertise as an educator freely with her colleagues, but more importantly, served as a support and friend to all. While Morah Sari will be missed by our entire community, her legacy will live on in the many lives she touched. May her memory be for a blessing.

May their memory be for a blessing BARUCH DAYAN EMET

Martin Aronoff z”l, beloved father of Paul Aronoff (Hope) and grandfather of Toren ’13, Sion ’15 and Nadav ’17.

Amanda, Matthew z”l, Michael and Zachary Goldwasser.

Michael Rapaport z”l, beloved father of Jaime Rapaport ’99.

Corynne (Cooky) Klein z”l, beloved mother of Ronni Lederman (Mark) and grandmother of Hillary Lederman Weller ’07, Jodi Lederman Levin ’09 and Eric Lederman ’14.

Dr. Gerald Feig z”l (Past President of GOA’s Board of Trustees), beloved husband of Mildred Feig (former 4th grade teacher of 25 years); father of Hilary Rabner (Howard) and Dr. Susan Feig (Richard Berlin); grandfather of Lauren Rabner ’07 (Liam Krausz), Jonathan Rabner ’10, Emily Berlin and Isabel Berlin.

Bernard Schwartz z”l, beloved husband of Rita Schwartz; father of Heather (Schwartz) Berger ’94, Sheryl (Schwartz) Germain ’98 and Mitchell Schwartz ’00; and grandfather of Jordan, Rachel, Sidney, Pearl, Isidore and Estelle.

Don Krider z”l, beloved husband of Kathy Krider z”l, father of Greg Krider (Julie Zucker Krider ’95) and Kristina Krider, and grandfather of Sasha Krider (Grade 1).

Avraham Tubul z”l, beloved father of Daniel Tubul (Leslie, former Upper School Guidance Counselor) and grandfather of Yotam ’10, Na’amit ’12 and Sarit.

Dr. Saya Victor Feinman z”l, beloved father of Dr. Rena Feinman-Siegel and Joyce Sasson; father in-law of Dr. David Siegel and Zion Sasson; and grandfather of Avital Siegel ’09 and Ariel Siegel ’11, Tova Travis, Gila Sasson and Shira Sasson.

Sandra Lustig z”l, beloved wife of Denis Lustig; mother of Lower School faculty member Gena Jarmel (Matthew), Alan Lustig (Alison) and Meryl Markowitz (Dr. Charles Markowitz); grandmother of Larissa Rosenberg ’14, David Rosenberg ’17, Benjamin Jarmel, Hannah Jarmel, Jessamine Lopez (Geoff), Carly Lustig, Evan Lustig, Sara Markowitz and Bryan Markowitz; and greatgrandmother of Ezra and Calla.

Peter Anthony DeCenzo z”l, beloved husband of Santa, father of Mary Hazan (Arthur) and grandfather of Jacob ’18 and Noah ’24.

Harvey Glass z”l, beloved father of Rebecca Glass (Derek Fields) and grandfather of Noah ’08, Dov ’08 and Adina ’13.

Theodore Glueck z”l, beloved stepfather of Evan Blum (Mindy) and grandfather of Matthew ’16 and Corey ’18.

Henry Goldwasser z”l, father of former students Philip (Marsha ’90), Nathan (Laura), David (Deann Isaac) and Debby Goldwasser; grandfather of Avi, Noam ’20, Shayna ’23, Andrew (Devora), Ryan,

Norman Lipsett z”l, beloved father of Julie Singer (David) and grandfather of Noah, Jamie ’17 and Danielle.

Ruth Markiewicz z”l, beloved mother of Reggie Yoskowitz and grandmother of Shuli Herbert ’97, Dahlia Yoskowitz ’99 and Jeffrey Yoskowitz ’03.

Teddy Radovici z”l, beloved husband of Upper School faculty member Sarah Radovici.

Thomas Vrabel z”l, beloved father of Past President Eleanor Kramer (Marc); husband of Lucille Vrabel; grandfather of Arielle Kuzdral ’08 (Matthew), Naomi Mullen ’10 (Greg), and Rachel Kramer ’16; great-grandfather of Theodore Kuzdral and Emilia Mullen.

Ruth Weinfeld z”l, beloved wife of Arthur Weinfeld; mother of Jerry (Joannie) Weinfeld, Andrea (Rafi ’84) Footerman, and Scott (Tara) Weinfeld; grandmother of Ben and Michelle Weinfeld, Elan ’16 and Maya Footerman ’26, and Sarah and Jane Weinfeld; sister of Paul (Arlene) Rosenberg and aunt of Marcy.

Richard Zeitlin z”l, beloved husband of Violet Zeitlin; father of Andrea Kessler (Steven) and Brenda Zeitlin; grandfather of Cara Kessler ’11, Leia Kessler ’16 and Shirlee and Perri Kuzahi; greatgrandfather of Emilia Malkah Meir; and brother of Paul Zeitlin.

SUBMIT YOUR CONDOLENCES AT WWW.GOLDAOCHACADEMY.ORG/BARUCHDAYANEMET GOA SPRING 2022 25

ERIC F. ROSS UPPER SCHOOL CAMPUS 1418 Pleasant Valley Way West Orange, New Jersey 07052

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.