MICHAEL REIDLER ‘09
RECIPIENT OF THE ALUMNI MENSCHLICHKEIT AWARD
BY ALEX GOLDSTEIN For Michael Reidler ‘09, taking care of the most vulnerable people in our society, wherever they may be, has always been of paramount importance. His parents instilled this value in him while he grew up in Englewood, New Jersey, and it was further reinforced at the Ramaz Upper School, where he was involved with numerous chesed projects, including weekly visits to an elder care facility on the Upper West Side. But it was Michael’s summer experience at an Emunah children’s home in Israel, after his junior year at Ramaz, that would inspire him to start an organization that has changed his life and the lives of so many others. “I was responsible for teenagers who couldn’t live with their parents because of poverty, abandonment, or physical and emotional abuse,” said Michael. “By simply providing friendship, I was able to show the kids that I believed in them, that they could be successful in all aspects of life. It was transformative for me.”
Upon returning to Ramaz for his senior year, Michael began seriously thinking about his future— and how he could make a real difference to the kids he helped during the summer as well as others who have similar life challenges. He had considered applying to seven-year medical programs, but after graduating in 2009, decided to attend the Stern School of Business at New York University.
In Michael’s spare time, he started Kol HaNearim (Voice of the Youth), which cares for orphans and at-risk children by organizing summer camps and providing year-long programming. From the outset, Michael was driven by the belief that surrounding the children with positive role models who believe in them will help them believe in themselves. During Kol HaNearim’s first year, Michael focused on developing summer programming for the same Israeli foster home he previously worked in. He planned sports competitions, music lessons, computer classes, and overnight trips. Because most foster homes in Israel didn’t have organized activities during the summer months, Kol HaNearim’s programs filled an important void. Then, Michael persuaded 35 rising high school seniors from various Jewish day schools to spend four weeks completely dedicated to giving the children the best summer of their lives.