1965-1979
GOA
THE MAGAZINE OF GOLDA OCH ACADEMY
Thank you for helping us celebrate our 60th anniversary!
SPRING/SUMMER 2026
2020-2026
GOA
THE MAGAZINE OF GOLDA OCH ACADEMY
Send your comments, questions, story ideas, photos, class notes, and baruch dayan emets to: alumni@goldaochacademy.org. SPRING/SUMMER 2026
This publication is produced by the offices of Institutional Advancement and Marketing and Communications.
INSTITUTIONAL ADVANCEMENT
Stephanie Bash-Soudry Director of Institutional Advancement
Michael Bressman
Director of Development
Dana Halpern ’15
Alumni Engagement Coordinator
Meegan Gliner
Special Events Coordinator
Jackie Cistaro Development Database Manager
MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS
Glenn Slavin Director of Marketing and Communications
Erin Sternthal
Associate Director of Marketing and Communications
James Bratek
Assistant Director of Marketing and Communications
ADMINISTRATION
Carrie Z. Siegel ’92 Head of School
Julia Rasmussen
Chief Financial Officer
Sari Allen Director of Admissions and Enrollment Management
Jessica Wise Director of Admissions, Lower School
Paul-Michael Huseman
Principal, Upper School
Heather Brown Principal, Lower School
Jamie Himmelstein
Middle School Director
Lori Jaffe Director of Student Services
Rabbi Meirav Kallush Director of Israel Education
Rena Abrams ’01
Keith Biebelberg
Pamela Davis ’02
Jon Gantman
Steven Klinghoffer
Keren Lebeau ’94
Barry Levine ’98
Miriam Linver
Jean Mandell
David Moss
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 Independent Schools, Prizmah, and the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism (NJ Region).
MISSION
We nurture the unique potential of each student through an exceptional Jewish and general studies education.
VISION
Innovative Jewish thinkers begin their journey here. Our students explore the world through the lens of Jewish values and develop a love of learning, a personal relationship with the State of Israel and its people, and a commitment to the betterment of the world through tikkun olam.
VALUES
Love of Learning Torah Lishmah
We inspire a love of learning and encourage intellectual curiosity across all disciplines. Students learn to think creatively and independently in a community infused with Jewish tradition and values.
Community Kehillah
We establish a strong partnership between students, teachers, parents, and the community beyond the classroom and campus. Our vibrant learning community focuses on the intellectual, social, and spiritual needs of each child.
Respect Kavod
We encourage a shared responsibility for treating others and ourselves with respect and dignity. Our students and faculty practice empathy, menschlichkeit, and integrity when interacting with others.
Love of Israel Ahavat Yisrael
We empower our students to develop an ongoing personal connection to Israel by studying its history, its culture, and the Hebrew language. Students learn the importance of Israel both in the classroom and within the land itself.
Repair of the World Tikkun Olam
Our students learn the importance of communal responsibility and service both locally and globally through acts of tikkun olam (repair of the world) and gemilut hasadim (expressions of loving kindness).
Jewish Life and Learning
Mitzvot and Halachah
We inspire our students to find joy and meaning in Torah, Tefillah, rituals, and practices, including the teaching and celebration of lifecycle events, holidays, and traditions within our school community.
FROM THE DIRECTOR OF INSTITUTIONAL ADVANCEMENT
This year, our community came together to celebrate six decades of educational excellence, Jewish values, and meaningful relationships that have shaped generations of students. It was a wonderful opportunity to reflect on our history while looking ahead to the next chapter of Golda Och Academy.
We were also thrilled to celebrate the successful completion of the Go Forward Campaign, which raised more than $20 million to strengthen our school and ensure its continued success. This extraordinary achievement reflects the commitment and generosity of our families, alumni, grandparents, faculty, staff, trustees, and friends. Thank you!
Through the campaign, we invested in four key priorities that will have a lasting impact on our students and community:
Faculty – attracting, retaining, and supporting exceptional educators who inspire our students every day
Student Services – expanding the academic, social-emotional, and wellness resources that help every student thrive
Financial Aid – ensuring that a Golda Och Academy education remains accessible to families and that affordability continues to be a central value of our community
Campus Spaces – enhancing our physical environment to create welcoming, innovative spaces where learning, growth, and connection flourish
We are especially grateful to the Jane and Daniel Och Family Foundation for its visionary leadership and transformational $10 million challenge gift, which inspired our community and helped make this historic success possible.
Thank you to all our generous donors who responded to the challenge. Special thank you to our major partners — The Wilf Family Foundation, the Bier family, the Paula and Jerry Gottesman z”l Supporting Foundation, Jewish Federation of Greater MetroWest NJ, the Gottesman Fund, The Healthcare Foundation of NJ, and the Dr Lynne B Harrison STEM Endowment Fund for their transformational support.
As we celebrate these milestones, we are reminded that Golda Och Academy’s greatest strength has always been its people. Thank you for your partnership, your generosity, and your belief in our mission. Together we have honored our past, strengthened our present, and created a strong foundation for the future.
With gratitude and appreciation,
Stephanie Bash-Soudry Director of Institutional Advancement
2008
Arielle (Kramer) Kuzdral and her husband Matt welcomed the birth of a baby girl, Dahlia Eden Kuzdral, on May 13, 2026.
Aviva (Mandell) Shabtai and her husband Donny welcomed the birth of a baby boy, Alon, on November 6, 2025.
2009
Joelle (Zegas) Bryk and her husband Andrew welcomed the birth of their third son, Ruben Felix, on April 13, 2026. Ruben’s bris was officiated by fellow alumnus Rabbi Joshua Heller ’90.
2009
Seffi Kogen and his wife Tali Marcus welcomed the birth of a baby girl, Merav Yonah Kogen, on March 23, 2026.
2011
Phil Nydick and his wife Dani welcomed the birth of a baby girl, Blake Mila, on May 9, 2026. Phil’s mother, Carol Nydick, is a beloved GOA Gan teacher.
2018
Liora Finkel and Spencer Szwalbenest were engaged on March 8, 2026 in Lower Manhattan.
Abby Faynshteyn and former GOA student Lior Idan were engaged on December 31, 2025 in Tel Aviv.
2019
2022
Ilan Feldman, Ozzie Landy, Natty Bitran, and Lily Glass (not pictured) graduated from Syracuse University in May 2026. It was especially meaningful to see these GOA friendships continue long after graduation and celebrate this milestone together.
Our 60th Anniversary Spring Gala was a meaningful celebration of GOA’s past, present, and future, and it was wonderful to reconnect with alumni from across generations!
Whether you joined us for the celebration or were with us in spirit, you are an important part of the GOA family. Please take a moment to update your contact information with us to be included in upcoming alumni events and school news.
RECONNECT WITH GOA
Emily Berger married Zach Reich on May 31, 2026 in Cedar Grove, New Jersey. Many GOA classmates and faculty members were in attendance.
Graduation
Mazel Tov!
Marley Fischer ’26
SALUTATORIAN
Arielle Karni ’26
VALEDICTORIAN
Henry Sacks ’26
S. HIRSCH JACOBSON FELLOWSHIP RECIPIENT
Jake Gutstein ’16 10-YEAR SPEAKER
ERIC F. ROSS UPPER SCHOOL CAMPUS
1418
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.
