SPRING 2017 FEATURES
3 Alumni Basketball Game 5 Class of 2006 10-Year Reunion 8 Alumni Profile: Josh Weinstein ’01
9 Overcoming The College Transition 10 Amigos De Por Vida Friends For Life 12 Alumni Back On Campus 16 Class Notes
Making A Difference
NEWS
Schechter-GOA alumni share how they practice tikkun olam in their adult lives Tikkun olam (repairing the world) isn’t just something that’s taught at Golda Och Academy; it’s something every graduate has lived and breathed. Whether it’s collecting tzedakah starting in Pre-K, rebuilding homes in New Orleans or volunteering for Upper School Community Service Day, giving back to others is woven into the fabric of our school. Like so many Schechter-GOA alumni, the desire to help others doesn’t stop at graduation. Our graduates are compassionate professionals and leaders that continue to give back to the community and the world at large. Following is just a sampling of some of the amazing work our alumni are doing to help save the lives of others.
Melissa Kushner ‘98 CEO and Founder of Goods 4 Good When Melissa Kushner’s father passed away just three weeks before she was born, it left her with an innate desire to connect and work with other children who had suffered the same fate of losing a parent. Her journey led her to Africa where many children are orphaned due to extreme poverty and AIDS. After meeting her mentor who ran the UNICEF office in Malawi, Melissa was exposed to the immense need and possibilities of Malawi. In a country of 16 million people, she said there are 4.5 million vulnerable children and 1.5 million of those children who have lost one or more parents. CONTINUED ON PAGE 6
Message From The Head of School Dear SSDS-GOA Alumni, I’m always amazed by the connections our alumni have to school. In our fall newsletter, we published a full-page spread recognizing our six new alumni families and celebrating the 59 children of alumni in our school. In addition to the phenomenal smiles and great pictures, it was also a powerful message of homecoming. We often speak about teaching our students so they are prepared to move on as the next generation of Jewish leaders. That goal is made even more meaningful when our alumni choose to return to the area, send their students to our school and continue that growth as Jewish leaders right here in our community. This homecoming is also evident when our alumni physically return to school, whether it’s for the annual Alumni Open House and Basketball Game, our Choir Benefit Concert or to speak with current students about their chosen career paths.
We are fortunate that Golda Och Academy has built this community and that so many of you return to maintain these strong ties to school. Golda Och Academy is blessed to have the support of so many of our alumni as parents, grandparents, teachers, volunteers and board members and for that we are grateful beyond words. Our community is richer because of the shared experiences and history that exist and the common language that is spoken by all. We love hearing about your accomplishments and encourage you to continue to send us news about your job opportunities, engagements and the birth of your children. Don’t be a stranger... we always look forward to welcoming you home.
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Alumni Basketball Game and Faculty Lunch December 23, 2016 Eric F. Ross Upper School Campus
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Message From The Alumni Chairs One of the aspects that makes Golda Och Academy so unique and special is the lifetime relationships that are created at school. These bonds are not only formed among students and families, but also among students and the school itself. No matter what stage of life you are in, Golda Och Academy will always be a home for its alumni. For young alumni, we offer social programming, college care packages and events at school. This past December, we welcomed our alumni from the Class of 2012 through 2016 back to school for the Annual Alumni Basketball Game, where everyone was able to reconnect with former teachers and classmates. It was also great to see everyone cheer on their fellow alumni during the basketball game.
For young professionals, we continue to provide opportunities to reunite and network. In March, the Alumni Society held the first-ever Alumni Shabbat dinner on the Upper West Side. It was an incredible evening for all who came together and welcomed Shabbat. As always, we must recognize our great successes are a result of the incredible investment that our community and the Alumni Society has made in GOA. Whether it is continued generosity or a firsttime gift, we ask that you please support the Jewish education that each of us was so fortunate to receive. Evan Majzner ’01 Co-Chair
Danielle Rockman ’12 Co-Chair
Message From The Alumni/Development Office As graduates of SSDS-GOA, you are an integral part of our school’s past, present and future. We love welcoming you back and reconnecting when you return for a quick visit, attend a school event or come to a class reunion. We love hearing about your lives and sharing your news on our Facebook page and LinkedIn group, and we love sharing in your simchas, whether it’s a wedding, new baby or an exciting new job or promotion. It is also incredible to welcome back you back as a parent, sending your adorable children to the Wilf Lower School Campus for the first day of school. It is such a special homecoming.
You are all a part of the SSDS-GOA community – a community that thrives even after you graduate these halls. It’s a community that supports one another in times of happiness and in times of loss and need. As part of our community, we ask that you also support the students of today. Please take the time to ensure these students can have the same incredible education that you had. You can truly make a difference. We hope each of you will find a way to stay connected and look forward to hearing from you. Wishing you and your families a hag Pesach Sameach, Stephanie Bash-Soudry Director of Development and Alumni Relations
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Class of 2006 10-Year Reunion November 12, 2016 New York City
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Schechter-GOA Alumni Making A Difference CONTINUED FROM FRONT COVER
Melissa set up Goods 4 Good (goodsforgood.org) in 2006 to help these children and break the cycle of poverty. “We partner with caregivers and communities to start businesses such as chicken farms, tailoring co-ops and honey bee hives,” she said. “These businesses generate profits to support children today while creating livelihoods and stimulating the economy for their future.” The organization will host its annual gala on May 1 in New York City and announce its strategic plan for the next five years and a redesigned organizational brand. “I want all children to be educated, well fed and have their basic needs met,” said Melissa, “so that they can focus on achieving their dreams and lifting themselves, their family and their country out of poverty.”
Melissa credits SSDS for shaping her Jewish identity, inspiring her to dedicate her life to tzedakah and tikkun olam. “It might sound counterintuitive, but there is no better way to connect with your Jewish values than to be the only Jewish person in an entire country. From having to explain to village leaders that because I am kosher I can’t eat the chicken they cooked in my honor, to throwing a Chrismukah (Christmas/Hannnukah) party at the Catholic orphanage I was living in, I was a walking dugma (example) for the values and traditions of Judaism SSDS imparted to me. This was a responsibility I took seriously and it deeply enriched my love for our faith.”
Rabbi Jesse Olitzky ‘02 Rabbi of Congregation Beth El in South Orange, NJ Rabbi Jesse Olitzky ’02 returned to New Jersey in 2014 to assume the position of rabbi at Congregation Beth El in South Orange. “At Congregation Beth El, we believe in a Judaism that does not just belong inside the walls of our buildings,” he said. “Judaism is not just taught, but lived, and guides us in how we interact with the world. The ethics and values of our Torah instruct us to take a stand in certain areas – not driven by politics, but driven by faith.” Upholding these values, Rabbi Olitzky’s synagogue has become involved in assisting refugee families resettling in New Jersey. Beth El joined the Multifaith Alliance for Syrian Refugees and HIAS’ Welcoming Congregations Campaign, which are committed to advocacy work. Along with neighboring congregations, Rabbi Olitzky and Beth El volunteers helped refugees find housing, work with social services, take them to doctors appointments, set their children up in the local schools, assist them in finding employment, and coordinate ESL classes and English tutors.
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Carly Rabner ‘11 JD Candidate at Emory University School of Law Carly Rabner ’11 is currently pursuing a law degree at Emory University School of Law to effectuate change in the child welfare system. Carly first combined her love of children and interest in law during a 2014 summer internship at Lawyers for Children, a law firm that pairs lawyers and social workers to represent children in the foster care system. Working on the child representation side of foster care, she sat in on interviews with foster children to assess their well-being, needs, and desires; conducted home visits to check on the children in their foster homes; and sat in on clients’ court proceedings. This experience, she said, truly inspired her to pursue a career in child welfare. After graduating Princeton University, Carly took a year-long fellowship position with New Alternatives for Children, a foster care agency for children with special medical and developmental needs, where she worked as a case associate.
“We hold their hands as they become familiar with our culture and community and do so because countless times throughout Jewish history, we were refugees. But we also do so because we are commanded in the Torah to welcome the stranger more times than any other scriptural obligation.” At SSDS, Rabbi Olitzky recalls Brenda Velasco’s US History Class, learning about the Civil Rights Movement and the role that the American Jewish community played in taking a stand for others. He has personally been involved in protests and marches defending such rights and even took his children to Newark Airport and Elizabeth Immigration Detention Center to protest a policy denying immigrants and refugees entry into this country. “I was exposed to accounts of the Torah that I was taught in school truly coming alive and lived, not just through ritual, but through activism. It was at that moment that I realized my obligation as a Jew – and now as a rabbi – to stand up for others, not just for myself.”
During her fellowship year, two of the birth parents Carly worked with were able to reunify with their children. Carly was able to secure both of these families New York Times Neediest Cases grants and personally went shopping with the families to buy them $1,500 worth of resources (clothing, furniture, diapers, etc.) for their children. This summer, Carly will intern with Brooklyn Defender Services and represent birth parents in foster care proceedings with the goal of family reunification. After graduating Emory University School of Law, she hopes to do direct representation work and represent children, birth parents, and possibly the state at different points in her career. “The values of tikkun olam embedded in all of our classes at SSDS and extra-curricular experiences at Schechter inspired me toward a career in public interest,” said Carly, who also credits her grandparents with influencing her to pursue her career path. “All four of my grandparents survived the Holocaust. Their stories and the lives they led after the war are filled with resilience, honor, and pure love and service for others. My grandma still volunteers every day. As she tells me often, ‘No one was there for me when I needed help, so I want to make sure someone is there for others when they need help.’ This mantra and the lives each of them led have truly inspired me.”
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ALUMNI PROFILE
Josh Weinstein ’01
The writer/director discusses his newly-released Yiddush-language feature film, Menashe Josh Weinstein ’01 premiered his film Menashe at the 2017 Sundance and Berlin International Film Festivals to critical acclaim. Menashe is the first ever Yiddish-language film to have been selected for the Berlin International Film Festival. Filmed entirely in Yiddush with English subtitles, Menashe is considered a “docufiction, a film in which non-professional actors are cast in roles closely related to their actual daily lives.”
What inspired you to make this film?
I was drawn to this story as a way of better understanding myself and my ancestors. I grew up as a liberal Jew in the suburbs of New York. My great-grandparents came from the shtetls of Poland and landed in Brooklyn. Hasidic life in Borough Park has many similarities to how my greatgrandparents lived outside Warsaw. The film allowed me to share in the humanity and warmth of the community and develop a better thread of understanding that ultimately goes in both directions.
Given the somewhat closedoff nature of the Hasidic community, was it difficult to find additional actors for the film?
Authenticity was our central priority in making the film. One of the ways we were able to get access to the community was through our producer Danny Finkleman, who is a Hasidic Jew himself. He was not only a
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key gatekeeper but also served as part of a team of advisors who made sure that all aspects of the film were honest and genuine representations of UltraOrthodox Judaism.
Were some of the actors hesitant to appear on screen?
Many of the actors took a huge risk being involved with this film as most religious leaders in the community are firmly against outside media. Appearing in a film like this has put all of actors at risk, and we have taken precautions to try to ensure their safety.
set. As a result, I tried to help them forget that the camera was there in order to keep them focused on their performances. We often shot from a block away with 400mm lenses in order to keep the actors firmly planted within the real world. We also had a translator on set who would let us know if they were straying too far from the script.
The ultra-conservative Hasidic community has rarely been depicted in film. Why do you think this is an important addition to their depiction in the larger entertainment landscape?
The community is usually depicted according to the views of outsiders and frequently appears cold and generally without joy. Yet the Hasidic culture that I have experienced is one that is funny, beautiful and deeply spiritual. My goal with the film was to humanize these people to an audience of outsiders and share moments of their everyday lives that are rarely seen.
What challenges did you encounter on set?
Many of the actors in the film had never seen a film before at all, which presented an interesting set of challenges on
Would you say there was a specific teacher or class at SSDS that inspired you to pursue filmmaking?
What influenced me the most was the music from my peers. There was a band called Random Task made up of four students from the Class of ‘01: Matt Goldman, Evan Winiker, Jeremiah Glazer, and Ben Jorgensen. Their band and music taught me that art is a process you can do yourself. You don’t need to get permission or play by any rules. Seeing my own peers make music that I loved was incredibly powerful and motivating.
Overcoming The College Transition Making the move from GOA to a large university By Noa Barash ’16 The first day of school is always nerve-racking. Then add in the fact that your new school will have a graduating class of 4,000 people when your last one had 47! Making the transition from Golda Och Academy to the University of Delaware this past year was definitely an adjustment. On move-in day I got to school, unloaded my car, and went to my third-floor, non air-conditioned, walk up - mattress pad and fan in hand. Yet the most shocking part was not my shoebox of a dorm room, it was the height of all my floormates. I felt as though I was about to be squashed. I could barely see half the people. I thought to myself, “Is this what height people are in the real world?” That was the first instance in which my essentially Jewish bubble “popped,” but certainly not the last. I had gone to Golda Och Academy since Pre-K. All of my biggest moments happened in the comfort of those hallways: my first crush and my first heartbreak, my first bad grade as well as my first good one, my first invite to a Bar Mitzvah, my first invite to a high school party, my first fight and my first and forever best friends. I will be forever grateful for those memories. Yet moving on and beginning
to make new memories in an unfamiliar place presented its challenges. On my dorm floor, of those who were seemingly giants my first day, are people of all different backgrounds. And while Golda Och Academy evidently was a Jewish school, it nevertheless instilled in me the value of not only respecting those of different backgrounds, but wanting to hear their stories. Throughout my first semester, I got to know so many people who had such different backgrounds than me. Between this and my larger class sizes, it was certainly an unfamiliar feeling. However, these changes were made manageable by my support system. When I needed help with a research paper, I reached out to my old history teacher. When I was having trouble branching out, I reached out to my high school friends who knew me better than anyone. And when I just needed to take my mind off of things, I watched my old music teacher on House Hunters. College is undeniably an adjustment for just about everybody. However, I am thankful that no matter what challenges I may encounter, I always have people and a place in my life to fall back on.
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[Golda Och Academy] instilled in me the value of not only respecting those of different backgrounds, but wanting to hear their stories.
”
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Amigos De Por Vida Friends For Life
My story of being a Chilean exchange student at Schechter-GOA By Randi Rosenthal ’07 Eleven years ago I had the best summer of my life. I was granted the amazing opportunity through Schechter to travel with 10 of my high school friends from New Jersey to Santiago, Chile and spend a summer meeting new people, exploring a new culture and gaining incredible experiences. I attended classes with other Jewish Chilean students through their private Jewish high school, performed volunteer work within the local community, and even traveled to amazing places throughout the country. During the summer before my junior year, I stayed in Santiago with my exchange student Joa Pilowsky and her family. She also stayed with me as an exchange student in the winter, and we became very close. As our exchange came to a close, we swore to one another we would keep in touch and somehow visit each other once again. As I left Chile, I had no idea what the future held but I made a promise to myself to come back. I just knew it was a promise that I would keep. Over the years, Joa and I kept in touch here and there (thank goodness for Facebook!), and one day I was taking a peek at her Facebook profile and saw that she was engaged! I couldn’t contain my excitement, so I messaged her and congratulated her. She then asked if I would be able to make it to the wedding. I was stunned…and honored! The wedding was a year away, and I told her that I would definitely be there. 10 ALUMNI NEWS SPRING 2017
As I arrived in Chile again this past September, walked through the airport and drove in a taxi through the desert with the massive Andes mountains towering above, I had to pinch myself. I couldn’t believe that I was back. I couldn’t believe that I was about to catch up with a whole group of friends that I hadn’t seen in over a decade. I couldn’t believe Joa was getting married. I couldn’t believe that we had met as 15 year olds and managed to make it to this point in our lives together. I had no idea what to expect. Would people remember me? Would the friendships that I made all those years ago be the same? The night before Joanna’s wedding she called me and wanted me to come have dinner at her house with her family. I was shocked that it was the night before her wedding, and she wanted to share it with me.
2006
Joa (left) and Randi (right)
I returned back to the house that I lived in during that remarkable summer, sat at the same table where I had many dinners as a teenager and was once again with my Chilean family. I saw the bedroom where I had stayed and helped Joa and her mom cook in the same kitchen where I had learned how to make guacamole for the first time. It was in indescribable moment, and I couldn’t wait for the big day tomorrow - Joa’s wedding day. Being at the wedding was a surreal experience. I stood in the cocktail hour with a glass of champagne in hand looking around the room to find familiar faces. I saw some friends in the distance and became extremely nervous not knowing if they would recognize me. Suddenly I heard, “Randi! Randi! Is that really you?” It was two of Joanna’s cousins who were just kids when
2016
Randi (left) and Joa (right)
I was here last. They couldn’t believe I was back and really, neither could I! After that, it was a continuous reunion with all my old friends. It felt amazing to be accepted with open arms as if no time had passed. If I were ever alone for a second, someone would grab my hand and pull me to the dance floor to surround me with crowds of people celebrating the wedding. The wedding was insanely fun.
In true Santiago fashion, it went all night, and my feet were sore from dancing so much. At around 7am I decided it was time to turn in. The party was just starting to die down, but forcing myself to leave was no easy task. I wanted to live in this moment forever. I didn’t want the night to end, I didn’t want to say goodbye to friends that took me 10 years to see again, and I couldn’t seem to bring
myself to say goodbye to Joa. It might have taken us 10 years to reunite but it felt so special that it happened. I had faith that once again, we would reunite, whether it would be to celebrate another major life event or just because we missed each other too much. As I turned in for the night and lay in my hotel room bed, I felt like the luckiest girl in the world to have been blessed with such an amazing experience, twice.
Randi currently lives in New York City and works as an associate producer for reality television shows. Joa and her husband recently moved to San Diego, CA. Randi’s travel time for her next reunion just got a lot shorter!
GoAbroad Exchange Sophomores Visit Mexico City February 2017 Learn more at www.goldaochacademy.org/mexico2017
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Schechter-GOA Alumni Back On Campus Allegra (Epstein) Heart ’11 spoke to the 10th grade American Literature class about performing in a Broadway production of The Crucible.
Naomi Gutstein ’13 (left) and Jacob Gutstein ’16 (second from left) visited Mr. Herskowitz’s Entrepreneurship class to talk about their entrepreneurial experience at Northwestern University.
Sara Drill Fainshtain ’08 returned to GOA on behalf of Wings, along with two lone soldiers.
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And Connecting With Current GOA Students
Alumni in Israel visited with faculty and students on Na’ale (clockwise from upper left): Mira Blecherman ’16 (second from left); Carmelle Bargad ’13; and Rafi Jones ’16 and Hannah Greenwald ’16 (center). Matt Blum ’16, Tulane University freshman, joined the 2016 NOLA Service Mission for dinner and conversation.
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STAFF SPOTLIGHT
Behind The Scenes At GOA
With a combined 47 years at Schechter-GOA, Grigory Fulman and Yohannes Zemene aren’t just part of our school’s history; they’re also part of our family By Sarah Cehelyk ’18 Any student who has ever walked the halls at Golda Och Academy can tell you that no matter what kind of a day you are having, you are guaranteed a smile and friendly “hello” from Grigory Fulman, head custodian at the Upper School, and custodian Yohannes Zemene. At many schools, the custodial staff simply works behind the scenes and takes a passive role in student life. Yet here at GOA, Grigory and Yohannes play an active role in the lives of most students. “Yohannes and Grigory are both amazing guys,” said Etai
Barash ’18. “Even to complete strangers it’s obvious that they are both such kind men who are always smiling and trying to brighten up the day.” Whether you need help getting food or assistance in unlocking a room, the custodial staff is helpful beyond compare. Grigory has spent 22 years in his position while Yohannes is nearing his 25th year working at GOA. Both get infinite joy from working with children and being able to assist students in simple ways to make their school experience more enjoyable. But perhaps what makes their job at GOA so enjoyable is how they are received by the student
body. Grigory and Yohannes both recognize that students at GOA are different than those from other schools. “We have watched all of the students grow to be successful and go to great colleges,” said Grigory. “We love when the graduates come back and visit to say hi.” One of Yohannes’ greatest joys is seeing students who have graduated from GOA with spouses and families. He recalls the time he received a wedding invitation from GOA alumnus Eitan Melamed ‘97. “It was one of the best things that has happened to me,” Yohannes remarked. When not at GOA, Grigory and Yohannes both enjoy spending time with family. Grigory often helps out babysitting his granddaughter. He also loves to catch a Broadway show with his family. Yohannes also loves watching sports, listening to music, and values spending time in his home country of Ethiopia. Golda Och Academy is truly fortunate to have these special, hard-working men as part of our staff and community. Grigory and Yohannes play an essential role in the lives of many students and never fail to brighten the hallways with their kindness, compassion and humor.
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Upcoming Alumni Events Class of 1987 30-Year Reunion
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Spring Gala
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Temple Beth Shalom Livingston, NJ 6:30 pm
College Alumni Summer BBQ
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6:30 pm
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Classes of 1996-1997 20-Year Reunion
8:00 pm
For more information, contact us at alumni@goldaochacademy.org
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Class Notes 1989
1999
Dr. Stacey Leibowitz and husband David celebrated the Bar Mitzvah of their son, Mac, on November 5, 2016 in Florida. Many Schechter-GOA friends were in attendance!
1996
Ilana Lior Ginsberg and husband Davis welcomed the birth of their daughter, Emma Michelle Ginsberg, on November 14, 2016. Emma joins big brother Sean.
2000 Dr. Richard Herman and wife Sarah welcomed a new baby boy, James Joseph, on February 1, 2017. James joins big sister Aviva. Mazel tov to proud grandparent Janet Herman, Director of Athletics at GOA!
Yael Coppelson married Richard Greenberg on November 5, 2016.
2002
1997
Dr. Phil Levy and wife Elizabeth welcomed a new baby boy, Benjamin, on September 2, 2016. Benjamin joins big brothers Noah (6) and Jacob (4).
1998
Samuel Freeman and Shana Rubin Freeman welcomed a baby boy, Maxson Benjamin. Mazel tov to grandmother and former GOA English Department Chair Jane Freeman!
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Jared Hutter and wife Lindsey welcomed a new baby boy, Charlie Jagger, on January 9, 2017. Charlie joins big brother Robert.
2004 Shira Lee Segal is engaged to Dan Silver. Melissa (Cohen) Bernstein and husband Todd welcomed a baby girl, Samantha, on November 6, 2016.
Stay Connected!
2004
2006
Jon Newman and wife Michelle welcomed a new baby boy, Gavriel, on January 3, 2017.
Jody (Krieger) Lurie and husband Michael welcomed a new baby boy, Charles Gabriel (Yaakov Moshe), on December 26, 2016.
2005
2007 Ethan Cohen is engaged to Shara Fishman.
2008
Hillary Aaron Moore and her husband Ryan welcomed a baby boy, Ari Filip Moore, on January 19, 2017. Hillary is a third-year pediatric resident, and Ryan is a third-year surgery resident.
2006
Micah Cohen married Noy Shtein on April 2, 2017. Micah recently graduated from NYU Stern with an MBA and is working for Makom Real Estate Services. Noy graduated from Carol Davila University of Medicine and is now studying for the U.S. license exam. The couple met in 2010 when Noy came to the U.S. as part of an Israeli delegation at Camp Ramah Nyack.
Joel Davis and Madison Cargan ’10 are engaged and planning a July 9, 2017 wedding. Joel is currently working in property management for Pine Management (NYC), while Madison is a Styling Sales Coordinator for Nordstrom (Short Hills). The couple is living on the Upper West Side in New York City.
Arielle Kramer married Matt Kuzdral on November 12, 2016. ALUMNI NEWS SPRING 2017 17
Stay Connected!
Class Notes 2008
2009 Ian Gleaner married Noa Lubell on June 23, 2016.
2010
Aviva Mandell is engaged to Amir Zofi. Aviva is living in Tel Aviv and works for Wix.
2009
Jessica Bramnick is engaged to Omer Amir.
Former Students
Arielle Sheris married Joey Litz on November 6, 2016. Many Schechter-GOA classmates were in attendance to celebrate the couple.
Lizzie Pantirer is engaged to Omen Harnew.
Michael Bier is engaged to Shelly Swartz. The wedding is planned for May 2018 in Bel Air, CA. Michael is currently a third-year medical student at HofstraNorthwell School of Medicine, while Shelly works in consumer insights.
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Our Sincere Condolences Juliet Bergen z”l, beloved wife of Stephen Bergen, mother of Michelle ‘91, Ari ‘93 and Nicole ‘95. Dr. Burton Bergman z”l, beloved father of Nancy Pantirer, grandfather of David ‘99, Marc ‘01 and former student Elizabeth.
Rivka Gayer z”l, beloved grandmother of Joseph Glatt ‘91 and Darren Glatt ‘94, and great-grandmother of Elliana (Grade 2) and Zach.
Dr. Aaron L. Mark z”l, beloved father of Rabbi Randy Mark (Dassy ’79), grandfather of Avi ’04, Penina ’06, Raffi ’09, and Danit ’11.
Harold Gleaner z”l, beloved father of David Gleaner (Leslie), grandfather of Ian ‘09, Ariel ‘12, and Seth ‘16.
Margaret Markstein z”l, beloved mother of Paul Markstein and Judy Menschlik, grandmother of Sam Markstein ‘11 and Daniel Markstein ‘15.
Rabbi Stanley Bramnick z”l, beloved father of Elliot Bramnick (Joanne), grandfather of Jessica ‘10 and Ally ‘13.
Elayne Goldman z”l, beloved mother of Stephen Goldman (Mindy) and grandmother of Charlie ‘13 and Joseph ‘13.
Howard Byer z”l, beloved husband of Phyllis Byer and grandfather of Veronica Slater ‘16 and Shana Slater (Grade 10).
Saul Goldman z”l, beloved father of Stephen Goldman, father-in-law of Mindy, grandfather of Charlie ’13 and Joseph ’13.
Professor Stephen P. Cohen z”l, beloved husband of former Head of School Dr. Elaine R.S. Cohen, father of Tamar, Ayelet, and Maya.
Harvey Goldstein z”l, beloved father of Anne Oshman (Ted), grandfather of Max ’04, Charlie ’02, and former student Sophie.
Mickey Dunst z”l, beloved father of Lisa Lissak (Robin) and grandfather of Ilana ‘11 and Rachel ‘09.
Benjamin Gros z”l, beloved father of Sima Schall (Ben); grandfather of Alan Schall ‘92 (Mindy ‘97); and great-grandfather of Emily (Grade 7), Sophie (Grade 4), Brandon (Grade 3) and Zoe (Pre-K).
Ilana Fishbein z”l, beloved mother of Leslie Ben’Ous ‘97 (Jason ‘96), grandmother of Reed (Grade 1) and Noa (Pre-K). Lena Gall z”l, beloved mother of Stephanie Carmel (Matthew), grandmother of Rebecca ‘14 and former student Kalman.
Michael Levine z”l, beloved father of Adam ‘13, Alexandra ‘08 and Sam; and ex-husband of Michelle Herscu Levine.
Adam Ronen z”l, beloved father of Nathan Ronen (Kiyomi), and grandfather of Corinna ‘16, Kai (Grade 9) and Remy. Larry Rudolph z”l, beloved step-father of Upper School faculty member Janette Antiles, and grandfather of Jessica ‘15, Michael (Grade 12) and Andy (Grade 11). Phyllis S. Schachter z”l, beloved grandmother of Alyssa Forster ‘08 and Josh Forster ‘11. M. Stanley Susskind z”l, beloved father of Jeff Susskind (Shari-Beth) and grandfather of Jacob ‘11, Benjamin ‘13 and Noah ‘16. Nagish Zemene z”l, beloved brother of Upper School Maintenance Mechanic Yohannes Zemene.
Submit your condolences at www.goldaochacademy.org/baruchdayanemet
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Golda Och Academy is accredited by the New Jersey Association of Independent Schools and is a beneficiary agency of United Jewish Communities of MetroWest NJ. It is affiliated with the Greater MetroWest, the Solomon Schechter Day School Association, and United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism, NJ Region.
Stephanie Bash-Soudry Director of Development and Alumni Relations Glenn Slavin Director of Marketing and Communications Erin Sternthal Marketing and Communications Associate James Bratek Digital Media Strategist
Would you like to be a Are you searching for a high school or college
Atara Jacobson ’87 Chair, Board of Trustees Adam Shapiro Head of School Julia Malaga Chief Financial Officer Christine Stodolski Upper School Principal Carrie Siegel ’92 Lower School Principal
Send your comments, questions, story ideas, photos, class notes, and baruch dayan emets to: Erin Sternthal esternthal@goldaochacademy.org
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contact ERIC F. ROSS UPPER SCHOOL CAMPUS 1418 Pleasant Valley Way West Orange, New Jersey 07052
Stephanie Bash-Soudry
Director of Development and Alumni Relations sbashsoudry@goldaochacademy.org 973-602-3612