DEAR BRANDEIS COMMUNITY,
The 2023-2024 school year was an extraordinary one at The Brandeis School of San Francisco, filled with moments of reflection, renewal, and growth. It was an especially significant year, as we celebrated our 60th anniversary—a remarkable milestone in our journey as a school dedicated to academic excellence, ethical responsibility, and the nurturing of young leaders. For six decades, Brandeis has been a beacon of Jewish education in the Bay Area, cultivating a joyful and inclusive community that inspires students to embrace their identity, engage with the world, and lead with purpose. It was a joy to bring our communities together—students, families, alumni, faculty and staff, board members, and more—to celebrate this remarkable institution.
In our 60th year, I found myself thinking of Rabbi Saul White, a founding leader at Brandeis and a towering figure in San Francisco Jewish life in the 20th century. Some years back, in reading through his papers at the Bancroft Library at U.C. Berkeley, I came across a reference to a YouTube clip of Rabbi White from 1982, in which he is giving a sermon at the Church of the Fellowship of All Peoples in San Francisco. In the sermon, Rabbi White exhorts his Christian colleagues to pay closer attention to the Old Testament, the Torah, because it is oriented toward collective responsibility and action, as opposed to the New Testament’s emphasis on individual salvation. The “true meaning of religion,” he argues, is “to break your bread with the hungry, to clothe the naked, to see that society is just.” To see that society is just. That is an important lesson that Judaism teaches us: that we owe it to each other to lift one another up, that our work extends beyond the walls of our homes, that our struggle is a common one.
That common struggle was front and center this past year, as we were also reminded of our strength as a community in the wake of tragedy. The devastating events of October 7th deeply affected many in our Brandeis community and in the broader Jewish world, and our community responded with compassion, resilience, and unity. As a leading institution in the San Francisco and Bay Area Jewish world—the largest gathering of Jewish and Jewish-adjacent folks in the Bay Area on any given weekday—we came together to support one another during this difficult time, embodying the values that are at the heart of our school. We were lucky to be one of the only local schools to send students on an 8th grade trip to Israel, a journey that carried special meaning as our students connected with the land and people of Israel during such a critical moment in Jewish history.
It is perhaps no surprise that in a year so marked by an awareness of history—our own, and that of Israel and the Jewish people—we reached new heights in our culture of generosity. The Brandeis Fund surpassed $800,000 in donations in 2023-2024—a testament to the engagement and commitment of our families, alumni, and community partners. This incredible support enabled us to continually enhance our programs, provide professional development for our faculty, and ensure that every student receives an exceptional education. I remain immensely grateful for this outpouring of support, which reflects the shared belief in our mission and vision for the future.
As I look back on this milestone year, I do so with profound gratitude for the many achievements we have shared as a community. Together, we have created a school where students are not only prepared for academic success but are also empowered to make a meaningful impact in the world. Together, we created an oasis of joy, of thoughtful engagement, and of deep connection. Thank you all for your continued support of this special school—until 120 years, and beyond!
Warmly,
BRANDEIS CELEBRATES 60 YEARS
In 1963, Rabbi Saul White and a small group of families realized their dream of establishing a Jewish Day School in San Francisco. They could hardly have imagined what Brandeis would become. The 2023-2024 school year marked 60 extraordinary years of serving San Francisco’s Jewish community, with the school growing from just 34 students in its first year to over 350 today.
Throughout this remarkable journey, Brandeis has shaped generations of young people, instilling values of kindness, integrity, and service through a Jewish lens. To celebrate this milestone anniversary, we hosted three special events that brought together families and alumni from across the decades.
On May 5th, over 65 alumni from classes spanning 1980 to 2015 gathered to reconnect and forge new friendships. Many beloved former faculty members joined in this joyous
reunion. Our community celebration on May 19th honored founding board member Stuart Kaplan and united past and present members of the Brandeis family. Following the ceremony and reception, our outdoor space transformed into a magical carnival, delighting children and parents alike.
The festivities culminated on June 16th with a young alumni gathering for the classes of 2016-2024 at Spark Social SF. Smiles, laughter, and sunshine abounded, perfectly capturing the spirit of our school community.
As we reflect on these 60 years of growth, learning, and community, we look forward with excitement to the next chapter in Brandeis’ story. Here’s to the next 60 years of shaping young minds and hearts!
On the occasion of our 60th Anniversary, The Brandeis School of San Francisco commemorated this historic milestone with the creation of a mural that looks back on how far we have come since our founding. So much of what we hold dear about our school today was present in our early days: a belief in the value of a challenging academic program for all students, a creative and joyful approach to Jewish practice, and a commitment to cultural and socioeconomic diversity. No Jewish Day School in Northern California has a longer, richer history.
If you have not yet had a chance to visit our new historical mural in the main building, we invite you to come by Brandeis and take a look! It is an extraordinary glimpse of the journey, from 1963 to the present day, with beautiful reminders of what makes our school and community so special.
“I am thrilled to see my Brandeis experience come full circle, from being an alumna to now a Brandeis parent. Celebrating the 60th anniversary with fellow alumni was a special moment, bringing together the memories of the past and the connections of the present, and reminding me of the enduring strength of this incredible community.”
‘98
CONNECTING OUR PAST TO OUR FUTURE
“I was honored to attend the 60th anniversary alumni event, where I enjoyed reconnecting with so many wonderful teachers and alumni and meeting the fantastic educators at the helm of the school today. Brandeis was foundational to my Jewish identity and is the community where I formed lifelong friendships. I appreciate that Brandeis continues to play an integral role in strengthening the San Francisco Jewish community, which is of utmost importance now more than ever!”
- Hannah Rosenstein ‘04
- Naomi Horton-Vienna
21+ Alumni Reunion
21+ Alumni Reunion
Young Alumni Reunion: Class of 2019
Past Or Hadash Awardees
L-R: Iris Aluf Medina, Steve Ganz, Julie Lewis, Lynette Stejskal, Leslie Ticktin
ROOTED IN COMMUNITY: THE STEJSKAL-COHEN FAMILY’S
18-YEAR JOURNEY AT BRANDEIS
When Lynette Stejskal and Russell Cohen moved to San Francisco in 2001, they were seeking more than just a new home—they were searching for a community to nurture their growing family. Little did they know that their decision to enroll their children at Brandeis would spark an 18-year journey of growth, connection, and profound impact.
“We’re blessed to have spent 18+ years at Brandeis,” the couple reflects. “We’ve never had so much time with any institution aside from our families, and we won’t say which one we prefer!” From their eldest daughter Sydney’s enrollment in kindergarten, followed by Joe, to their youngest son Ethan’s recent graduation in 2024, Brandeis has been a constant presence in their lives, shaping not only their children’s education but also their family’s Jewish identity. The couple vividly recalls their initial impressions: “When we toured different schools, there were two aspects to Brandeis that stood out above and beyond other schools. First, the authentic connections between students, the faculty and the learning happening in the classrooms at all levels. Secondly, current parents at the time we were looking at schools shared with us that the ties to Brandeis extend far beyond the graduation of your children.”
“We have received so much from being part of the Brandeis community. We are so very grateful to Dr. Glass, his leadership team, and all of the faculty over the years that have educated our children and made Brandeis the special place it is.”
With Ethan’s graduation last year, the last of the Stejskal-Cohen children’s journeys have extended beyond Brandeis, but the family’s legacy of engagement and support continues. Their story serves as a powerful testament to the transformative impact of Jewish education and the enduring bonds forged within a supportive school community, demonstrating that a Brandeis education is not just about academic achievement, but about building a foundation for a rich, meaningful life rooted in Jewish values and community connection. As they put it, “The best schools reach beyond student learning and help parents and the community be the best versions of themselves possible. Brandeis does that.”
Thank you Lynette and Russell, your journey exemplifies how Brandeis not only educates students, but as importantly, nurtures entire families.
TZEDEK PROGRAM TURNS 25! TAKING THE TORAH TO HEART
“Dear Mr. Kesselman:
To commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Tzedek Program at Brandeis, founder Michael Kesselman (husband of Rachel and parent of alumnae, Talya ‘94, Iva ‘99, Maya ‘03 and current Brandeis grandparent of Sara ‘25) invited an intergenerational dialogue between alumni from the original pioneering class of ‘99 and current seventh grade students. This poignant exchange revealed the profound, enduring impact of the program, illuminating how early experiences in philanthropy shaped our alumni’s lives and values. The conversation honored the project’s legacy and inspired a new generation to embrace their responsibility to repair the world. The groundbreaking Tzedek Program was even featured in The New York Times bestseller, The Opposite of Spoiled by Ron Lieber.
I was very pleased to learn of your work with The Seventh Grade Fund. One of the most important topics discussed during the recent White House Conference on Philanthropy was the need to teach our nation’s tradition of giving to the next generation of Americans. The work of the students through the Seventh Grade Fund not only teaches the students this American ethic of giving, but provides other youngsters within your community with a strong model for civic involvement.”
The impact of Brandeis on the Stejskal-Cohen family reaches well past the classroom. As Lynette shares, “Brandeis has helped our family lead meaningful Jewish lives. We didn’t know when Sydney started bringing challah home on Fridays, it would help us on our way to practicing certain understandings of living a Jewish life. From there—holidays, life cycle events, learning Torah—all of it followed as the community engages with these things together and everyone is welcome!” This sentiment is echoed in their active and incredibly impactful involvement in the school community, from Lynette serving as PA co-president to Russell’s role as board chair. Their commitment to Brandeis is driven by a deep sense of gratitude and honor.
Twenty five years later, the Tzedek Program continues to be a shining example of social responsibility, empowering students to actively engage in tzedakah through handson grantmaking. From its beginnings in 2000, when it raised $13,000 for La Casa de las Madres, the program has flourished. In 2024, seventh-graders collectively amassed over $25,000, evaluated nineteen non-profit organizations, and democratically allocated funds. Their efforts resulted in grants of $2,220 each to five top-tier NPOs, including; Alive & Free, Homeless Prenatal Program (HPP), IsraAID, La Casa de las Madres, and Real Options for City Kids (ROCK), while ensuring that fourteen other worthy causes received $1,000 each. This growth not only reflects the program’s success but also underscores the expanding commitment of Brandeis students to making a tangible difference in their community.
“By participating in The Seventh Grade Fund, I was able to live out the Jewish values and beliefs I was developing as a young woman. Learning that even though my Bat Mitzvah was about me, it wasn’t about receiving giftsit was a communal celebration of the process I needed to undertake to find my place in the world. I learned that the point of my life was to heal the world. What better way to mark the passage into adulthood?”
- Katie-Rose Breslin ‘99
Hillary Rodham Clinton 11/4/99
L-R: Katie-Rose Breslin ‘99, Michael Kesselman, Iva Kesselman Resnick ‘99
L-R: Joseph ‘19, Ethan ‘24, Sydney ‘15
A MESSAGE FROM OUR BOARD CHAIR
2023-2024 Board of Trustees
Chair
Dr. Jonathan Terdiman
Vice Chair
Abigail Michelson Porth
Treasurer
Jody Barkin
Secretary
Ruth Katz
Trustees
Tahlia Bliss
Amy Cohen
Jessica England
Jane Froyd
Steve Ganz
Ellen Ginsberg
Dingli Graham
Dr. Franklin Huang
Ruth Katz
Dr. Edward Kavalerchik
Udi Ledergor
Julie Lewis
Anat Shiwak-Harry
Lynette Stejskal
Leo Stroe
Joseph Tartakovsky
Leslie Ticktin
Jamie Weinstein
Love Weinstock
Parents’ Association
Co-Presidents
Beth Cousens & Jason Pollack
Dear Brandeis Community,
As I conclude my six-year tenure on the Board of Trustees, including three years as Chair, I am proud to reflect on the remarkable achievements of The Brandeis School of San Francisco. For sixty years, we have stood as the oldest and largest Jewish Day School in Northern California, and our school continues to thrive. Over the past few years, we have made significant strides in mission critical areas that have strengthened our institution and enriched our students’ experiences.
In a year marked by the October 7th attacks in Israel, and the subsequent rise of antisemitism here in the Bay Area and beyond, we are reminded of the strength, resilience, and joy that characterize our community. In the wake of such devastation, we have come together with an even greater sense of purpose. From the sounds of laughter and song in our classrooms to the deep connections formed during schoolwide Kabbalat Shabbat gatherings, the Brandeis community has kindled and rekindled the light of hope in dark times. It is in these moments—where we continue to learn, grow, and support one another—that we reaffirm the values that have always made our school a beacon of Jewish life and learning.
In celebration of our 60th anniversary, the school year came to a joyful close with a series of heartwarming events that paid tribute to our founding in 1963 and the lasting impact we have had on countless students through the decades. On May 5, Brandeis alumni from all eras reunited for a meaningful and festive gathering to mark this special occasion. As we continued to reflect on sixty incredible years of serving the Jewish community of San Francisco, we had the privilege of honoring Stuart Kaplan, one of our founding board members. The anniversary celebrations culminated with a lively young alumni reunion at Spark Social SF, where graduates from the classes of 2016 to 2024 reconnected and shared exciting updates about their summer plans, making for an unforgettable afternoon.
The generosity of our community has been truly inspiring. We have seen increased giving to the The Brandeis Fund, essential to the annual operating budget, with participation that included 99% of our parent community. Additionally, we received generous boosts from donors who provided incredible matching gifts of $180,000 in honor of our 60th anniversary to foster a sustained culture of philanthropy within Brandeis. This financial support has been instrumental in enhancing our programs, maintaining our commitment to accessibility, and ensuring a safe environment where our students are able to thrive.
Each member of our community, past and present, plays a vital role in shaping the future of Jewish education at Brandeis. I invite you to celebrate these remarkable achievements and commit to supporting our students’ education and the work that shapes our Jewish community, now and in the future. Together, we will continue to grow from strength to strength.
Sincerely,
Dr. Jonathan Terdiman Chair, Board of Trustees
2023–2024 FINANCIALS & GIFT REPORT
THANK YOU TO ALL OF OUR 2023-2024 SUPPORTERS
CUMULATIVE GIVING Thank you to our Brandeis families, community members, foundations, and businesses for your leadership in giving through total annual gifts of $1,800 or more to all fundraising campaigns in the 2023-2024 school year.
$200,000-$499,999
Erica & Jeffrey Lawson
$100,000-$199,999
Jewish Community Federation & Endowment Fund
Holly Hagens & Todd Sisitsky Anonymous
$50,000-$99,999
Leslie & Alex Gleser
Sue & Michelle Kletter ‘92
The Koret Foundation
$25,000-$49,999
Shirley Katz & Curtis Chambers
The Covenant Foundation
Barbara & Ron Kaufman
Alicia & Evan Kletter ‘80
Amy & Jonathan Seff
Rory & Jamie Weinstein
$15,000-$24,999
Tahlia & Jordan Bliss
The England Family
Mariela & Richard Gerstein
Melissa Slivka-Goldstein & Evan Goldstein
Nelli & Kevin Perkins
$10,000-$14,999
Miriam & Arthur z”l Gauss
Brittany Bagley & David Gliklich
Rebecca Berman & Franklin Huang
Tanya & Matthew Hurwitz
Danelle James & Edward Kavalerchik
Erin & Jonathan Kahn
The Olympic Club
Jennifer Saslaw & Max Simkoff
Madhulika Varma & Jonathan Terdiman
Anonymous (2)
$5,000-$9,999
Marina Gershberg & Anthony Azevedo
Danielle Foreman & Jonathan Brandon
Lynette Stejskal & Russell Cohen
Jacqueline Dolev & Matthew Cooperberg
Elizabeth Epstein Diamond & Ethan Diamond
Shelly Dolev
Louise & Jacob Epstein
Judith Tick & Steven Ganz
Merav Bloch & Anthony Goldbloom
Dingli & Brian Graham Great Adventures Through Education
Michelle Sintov & Gary Grossman
Kristi & Gregory Grunberg
Suzanne Schneider & Dov Herbstman
Tam & MacKenzie Huynh
Eva & Richard Klein
Laura Hauben & Anthony Label
Jamie & Seth Lasser
Legacy Heritage Foundation
Julie & Ari Lewis
Patricia Melvin & Robert Limburg
Milton & Sophie Meyer
Fund
Samantha & Jesse Richmond
Kathleen Bedford & Andrew Robbins
The Robin Family
The Rosenblum Family
David Samson
Stacey & Joseph Schliffer
Cindy & Gera Shegalov
Kelsey McPherson & Steven Siger
Asako Miyakawa & Jascha Sohl-Dickstein
Laurie Beijen & Ben Tulchin
United California
The Veen Firm
Anonymous
$3,600-$4,999
Tanya & Mark Bernstein
Anjali & Peter Cameron
Sharon Niv & Brendan Curran
Marisa & Seth Currie-Rose
Ellen & David Ginsberg
Amica Cohn-Goldrei & Simon Goldrei
Rabbi Jessica & Jonathan Graf
Jane Froyd & Christopher Kamrath
Lucy & Aaron Kornblith
Beth & Scott Kutscher
Robin Shostack & Will McDonald
Ruth Katz & Michael Rapaport
Karen Robert Assayag & Herve Robert
Zindzi & Jeremy Sugerman
Fraidy Aber & Nathaniel Weiner
$1,800-$3,599
Beth Cousens & Joel Aufrecht
The Barkin Family
Beacon Point Advisors
Kimberly & Jared Boigon
Aliza Aber &
Jonathan Browning
Beata & Yaakov Bukai
Arie Singer & Lucas Buxman
The Dalfen Noteware Family
Nicole Lipman & Michael Ellis
Irina Gitlin & Alexander Fishkin
The Fox Family
Robert Fox
Inbal & Toby Frankenstein
James Stewart &
Daniel Friedman
Kate & Dan Glass
Jane Salmon & Jerry Gliklich
Natalya Belkin & Aleksandr Gurevich
Jeanne & David z”l Himy
Olesya Shayduk-Immerman & Igor Immerman
Christopher Gray & Lee Jacobson
Kelli & Reuben Jacobson
Philip N. Kaplan
Caitlin & Michael Keohane
Julia & David Kreitzer
Adena Friedman & Afsal Kuner
Kate Levis Williamson & Phil Levis
Alyce & Shawn Lichaa
Maya Solo Lieberman & Boris Lieberman
Naomi Lempert Lopez ‘89, Coldwell Banker Realty
Natalie Sacks & John MacGregor
Suzanne Browne Mead & Max Mead
Deborah Arzt-Mor & Boaz Mor
Maya & Orr Orenstein
Karen Kaufman Perlman & Brian Perlman
Laurie Brown & Jason Pollack
Jennifer Wegbreit & Matthew Powers
Julie & Joseph Ratner
The Redish Family Charitable Fund
Maggie & Dave Rothschild
San Francisco
Humanities, Inc.
Sharon Karlsberg & Craig Sakowitz
Charlene & Bart Schachter
Margot Lee Schmorak & Ari Schmorak
The Shames Family
Kristen Beck & Damon Sperber ‘82
Lara Edelbaum Sunshine & Paul Sunshine
Judy & Harold Ticktin
Leslie & Stephen Ticktin
Jennifer & Kyle Tobener Visa Inc.
Maria Belilovskaya & Gene Vorobyov
Kimberly & Sivan Wilensky
Zheng Li & Meiyu Zhai
Anonymous (8)
Donors to The Brandeis Fund strengthen the experience of a Brandeis education, advance our mission, and support the great work of our teachers and students. We are grateful to have the generous support of our community!
The Brandeis Fund
Parent Volunteers
2023-2024
The Brandeis School of San Francisco deeply appreciates the amazing parent volunteers who have shown such enthusiasm and dedication in advancing support for our school.
Co-Chairs
Jamie Lasser
Jennifer Saslaw
Committee Volunteers
Renen Amir
Kate Bedford
Vida Bierman
Tahlia Bliss
Basia Bona
Beata Bukia
Anjali Cameron
Lauren Cappelloni
Nadya Cinman
Seth Currie-Rose
Shelly Dolev
MacKenzie Huynh
Edward Kavalerchik
Vicky Keston
Michelle Kletter ‘92
Yelena Koplowicz
Julia Levy
Alyce Lichaa
Julie Lewis
Liliana Peliks
Maggie Rothschild
Shira Rutman
Amy Seff
Jon Seff
Justine Simpson
Lynette Stejskal
Lara Edelbaum Sunshine
Changemaker
($50,000+)
Erica & Jeffrey Lawson
Anonymous
Visionary
($20,000-$49,999)
Leslie & Alex Gleser*
Sue & Michelle Kletter ‘92*
Holly Hagens & Todd Sisitsky
Champion
($15,000-$19,999)
The England Family*
Mariela & Richard Gerstein
Alicia & Evan Kletter ‘80*
Rory & Jamie Weinstein
Benefactor
($10,000-$14,999)
Tahlia & Jordan Bliss*
Miriam & Arthur z”l Gauss*
Brittany Bagley & David Gliklich
Tanya & Matthew Hurwitz
Nelli & Kevin Perkins
Amy & Jonathan Seff*
Innovator
($5,000-$9,999)
Marina Gershberg & Anthony Azevedo*
Danielle Foreman & Jonathan Brandon
Lynette Stejskal & Russell Cohen*
Shelly Dolev
Louise & Jacob Epstein*
Merav Bloch & Anthony Goldbloom
Great Adventures
Through Education
Rebecca Berman & Franklin Huang
Tam & MacKenzie Huynh
Erin & Jonathan Kahn*
Danelle James & Edward Kavalerchik*
Eva & Richard Klein
Jamie & Seth Lasser*
Patricia Melvin & Robert Limburg
Samantha & Jesse Richmond
The Rosenblum Family
David Samson*
Stacey & Joseph Schliffer
Cindy & Gera Shegalov
Kelsey McPherson & Steven Siger
Asako Miyakawa & Jascha Sohl-Dickstein
Madhulika Varma & Jonathan Terdiman*
Marla & Robert Weiner*
Anonymous
Advocate
($3,600-$4,999)
Tanya & Mark Bernstein*
Sharon Niv &
Brendan Curran
Ellen & David Ginsberg*
Amica Cohn-Goldrei & Simon Goldrei
Melissa Slivka-Goldstein & Evan Goldstein
Dingli & Brian Graham
Kristi & Gregory Grunberg
Suzanne Schneider & Dov Herbstman
Jane Froyd & Christopher Kamrath*
Lucy & Aaron Kornblith
Beth & Scott Kutscher
Julia & Alex Levy
Ruth Katz & Michael Rapaport*
Kathleen Bedford & Andrew Robbins
Karen Robert Assayag & Herve Robert
Alanna Klein ‘76 & Greg Robin Chai
($1,800-$3,599) Beth Cousens &
Aufrecht The Barkin Family*
Kimberly & Jared Boigon
Aber &
Browning
& Yaakov Bukai
Singer & Lucas Buxman
Anjali & Peter Cameron
Dolev &
Cooperberg Marisa & Seth Currie-Rose
Ethan Diamond*
Lipman &
Fishkin
ART IN ACTION VISITING ARTIST PROGRAM
Maryam Yousif, an Iraqi-born, San Franciscan artist spent two days in residency at Brandeis with fourth grade students through the Art in Action Visiting Artists Program. Students sculpted, fired, and painted portraits that explore culture, identity and iconography. We are grateful to grandparents of alumni, Al “Bumpy” Friedman z”l and Barbara and Ron Kaufman who generously support the Arts Program at Brandeis.
FOSTERING EXCELLENCE IN TEACHING AT BRANDEIS
In 2023-2024, we empowered over 36 of our dedicated teachers with the opportunity to engage in professional development, elevating their teaching mastery, leadership, and expertise. This investment in our teachers directly enhances the educational experience of every student. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to a visionary anonymous donor, whose generous support fuels the growth of our exceptional teaching team and ignites a brighter future for our students.
This past year, six faculty trailblazers—from lower and middle school—attended the NAIS People of Color Conference in St. Louis.
Val & Vlad Varshasky
Wendy & Abraham Wallin
Lauren Cappelloni & Keith Welter
Kara & Stephen Yugoff*
Inna & Stan Zilberleyb
Irit Miller Zmora & Yohai Zmora
Anonymous (5)
Supporter
($540-$719)
Ellyn & Steven Cohen*
Nancy & Leonard Goldberg*
Gia Daniller-Katz & Steven Katz
Victoriya Kovpak ‘99 & Pavel Krepkiy
Denise & Andrew Lefberg*
Catherine Miller &
Daniel Lieberman
Diane & Ron McGee
Rena & Jonathan Mizrahi
Joel Rubinstein & Edward Pertcheck*
The Pogir-Kaye Family
Liat & Mor Sela
Donna & Mark Sisitsky
Karen & Remy Stern
Stacy & Scott Youkilis
David & Cece Zumwinkle
Friend
($360-$539)
Marina & Abraham Amar
Erin & Scott Armstrong
Tristan Seifer & Brian Aubry*
Darci Rosenblum & David Aufhauser
Valerie Westen & Daniel Bedford
Valerie Beijen
Vida & Ron Bierman
Ardath Kirchner & Neal Biskar*
Jody & Joshua Bloom*
Michael L. Charlson*
Victoria & Ashish Chaudhary
Brigitte & Jon Churnin*
Renee & Arnold Cinman
Dani & Adam Cooper
Debby Arzt-Mor & Boaz Mor*
Teresa & Dan Newmark The Dalfen Noteware Family* Lada Turkenich & Boris Pozharny
Kathryn & Avidan Rose* Joann & Rodney Ruskin
Sharon Karlsberg & Craig Sakowitz
Anna & Scott Saltzman
Lindsy & Jason Sanders*
Anita & Mark Shapiro
Linda Rubinstein & Elliott Sherr*
Karen Hall & Steven Sherr*
The Parents of Eben Simpson
Kristen Beck & Damon Sperber ‘82
Zindzi & Jeremy Sugerman
Helen & Yuriy Timen
Laurie Beijen & Ben Tulchin*
Kathleen Van Boven
Barbara Bona &
Piotr Komorowski
Yelena & Jordan Koplowicz
Udi & Guy Ledergor
June & Donald Nadler*
Richard Oh*
Kirsten Salmeen & Terry Platchek
Sarah & Horace Rhee
Susie & Charlie Rothschild
Oren Rubinstein
Lianna & Alex Rudyak
Neil Schneider
Bonni & Jonathan Shenk*
Alina & Quinn Solomon
Maya & Ilya Spivak ‘96
Amanda & Arthur Stein
Ofra Paz & Noam Vardi*
Marsha & David Veit
Susan Vienna
Sarah & Daniel Wallis
Barbara Lowenstein-
Weglein & Jesse Weglein
Sharon & Joshua Weinberg*
Alina ‘81 & Scott Wickham
Amy Cohen & David Williams
Julie Landau & Kenneth Young*
Anonymous (5)
Builder
(up to $359)
Alya & Tim Abbott
Danielle Abecassis*
Veronica & Ludo Antonova
Keren Asayag
Paul Bagley
Kathy & Chad Balch*
Erik Balin*
Divya Bambawale
Yelena & Oleg Barer
Tamar Cooper ‘91 & Jacob Barlev
Julie Beck*
Bel Beeson
Marina & Sam Belkin
Diana Suarez Ben-Hur &
Lior Ben-Hur
Deborah & Gregory Bensinger
Mitzi Berkelhammer
Cathy Needleman
Malika Densby*
Hilary Youngblood Doitel & Gur Doitel
Nancy Donald
Beth Eiselman*
Kfir Elad
Claudia & Bob z”l Eshoo
Erica Eshoo
Lindy & Ken Fox*
Marina Eybelman & Alex Furman
Yelena & Roman Gertsen
Heidi Adams & William Goldfarb
Joan Keston & Hugh Grindstaff
Jennifer Heyman*
Elena & Eugene Ingerman*
Cookie z’’l & Marty Javinsky
Rabbi Amanda Russell &
David Katz
Vicky Keston
Wendy & Howard Kleckner*
Club Fugazi Experiences LLC
Nadra Lisha & Doug Codron
Laura & Arthur Cohen
Amy & Nicholas Cole-Farrell*
Jessica & Mathew Colvin
Margot Cooke
Michele & David
Cooperberg
Bonnie & Mark Cousens
Irit & Finbarr Daly*
Adele & Avron Daniller
Pamela Welner & Eugene Dickey*
Whitney Dorman
Irina Dynin
Faina & Adam Eisendrath
Mai Dao & Peter Enyeart
Emily Epstein
Jacqueline & Jonathan Ferris*
Katherine Fiester & Ben Hetherington
Arie Finkelstein
Susan Fox
Alison Frank*
Barbara & Dan Freeman*
Evelyn & Fred Freeman
Rachel Freeman ‘02*
Nancy & Barry Friedman
Lejla Borovac & Marti Gaffney
Dena & John Gardi*
Donelle & Don Gartner
The Gatz-Levine Family*
Pamela & Paul Ginocchio*
Ron Glass
Maryana Poychenko & Denis Glazer
Diana Motseniat & Dmitriy Glazer
Katerina Glustein
Tiffany Speers & Eugene Gogerman
Brian P. Goldman ‘97*
Sara Goldrath*
Rebecca & Jason Goodman
Deborah Kelman &
Rabbi Marvin Goodman
Olga & Terry Gordon
Joanne Green
Kseniya Baronina & Andrey Gromov
Sandee Bisson*
Lisa Kant & Daniel Blanaru
Diane Goldstein-Block & Ed Block
Rebecca & Shaun Bodington
Serena Bourque
Kim & Richard Brandt*
Talya Kesselman Brass ‘94 &
Joel Brass
Crystal Brown*
Laura Burkhauser & Daniel Bruckner
Natasha Geykhman & Yevgeniy Brusilovskiy
Cassandra Burger
Helene & Dan Casella
Aimee Golant Casella & David Casella*
Adina & Brian Chaikelson
Rebekah Goldstein & Ariel Chasnoff*
Bessie Chekunov ‘06
Carlyann Cheng
Samantha & Jeremy Kamras
Laura Gasser & Marc Katz*
Jessica Katzki ‘07
Roberta & Bruce z”l Keller*
Meghan & Ryan Kelley
Rachel & Michael Kesselman*
Rachel Klein*
Caroline & Craig Kleinman
Alexandra & Daniel Klionsky*
Eitam Kohen*
Mirza Kopelman
Tamir Korenbrot ‘91*
Lisa Perlmutter & Volker Kueffel
Meredith Heller & Blake Kutner
Liron Lahav
Shruthy Lakshminarasimhan
Cynthia Mazow & Dan Laser*
Robbi & Steven Lasser
Eleanore Lee
Sharon & Robert z’’l Lefberg
Margaret Miller Levis & Alexander Levis
Simona Lewis ‘17
Laura & Elli Lieberman
Melanie Derynck & Etan Lightstone
Nikki Lo
Mr. & Mrs. William Lopez
Shira Rutman & Adam Lowy* Annie & Ron Lowy Denise Lujan Mollie McLaughlin & Jeff Lyon
Madeleine Mackenzie
Jodi & Burt Magen*
Amanda Malone Lisa Pollock Mann & Alex Mann*
Yarden Golan Maor & Yoav Maor
Michelle McBeth Pam & Michael McCarthy
McCullough
McDaniel Roni & Paul Melmed Alexandra & Chanan Menachem* Maya Menachem ‘15 Joyce Mendoza* Vira Kravtsova & Irakli Mezvrishvili
Ari Micich*
OUR BRANDEIS SHINSHINIM
Microsoft Bing Jacqueline Shelton-Miller & Craig Miller*
Caryl & Jim Miller
Judi & David Mink
Corrie Mizusawa*
Sharon Moore
Inara Morgenstern
Jude Morris
Susan Munn
Lauren Orlick
Susan & Gerald Peliks
Mira Peretz*
Robert Perez
Monique & John Pflager
Annabella Phillips
Lindsey & Douglas Pierce
Ann Ritzma & Elaine Porter*
Diane Epstein-Porter & Ken Porter*
Laura Zander & Scott Porter*
Meryl Leavitt & Nick Przybyla
Anne & Tim Quaintance*
Bobbe Ragouzeos
Anna & Eugene Richardson
Jenny Rinn
Suzanne Rittenberg
Rubinstein*
The Ritz Family
Ariel & Eduardo Rodriguez
Vivianne Beniflah
Rosenberg ‘85 & Brett Rosenberg
Kathryn & Michael Rosenbluth
Marina & Vadim Rotberg
Samantha Ruiz
Smadar & Noah Salzman
Polly & Jesse Sapakie
Isabel Schein
Joëlle & Dov Schnaider*
Naomi Schwartz Hemp*
Michael Scialo
Mieko & Ian Selsky
Betti Shegalova
Jennifer Morris & Darlene Weide
Alisa Weiner
Mairin & Matthew Weiner ‘89
& Rotem Willman
Morgenstern ‘92 &
Wong Adrian & David Worton*
& Michael Yee
Yuen-Shore
& Marc Zablatsky
Zander ‘11
Linda Gerard &
Daniel Grossman*
The Gunsberg-Pelkey Family*
Shannon Gutierrez*
Sara & Zach Heller
Hadara Stanton Hersh &
Jerold Hersh*
Marilyn D. Higuera
Jennifer Baumer & Adam Hochman*
Megumi Okumura & Daniel Hollander
Erika Opper & James Horton*
Simha Hoze*
Joshua Ibarra
Sharon & Stanley Jacobson
Sarah Stettler & Robert Javinsky
Aaron Jessup
Vicki & Scott Kahn
Victoria & Boris Kaminsky
Brandeis embodies belonging, identity, and connection. Nowhere is this more profoundly exemplified than in the beloved Shinshinim Program. This initiative empowers Israeli high school graduates to defer their mandatory military service, by dedicating a year to foster cultural exchange and strengthen ties to Israel. We wish to express our appreciation to Lia Ducker and Avia Ben Joseph for their unwavering commitment in our students’ lives and learning, and the invaluable impact they made on our entire community.
Thank you to our host families who generously opened their homes and hearts to our Shinshinim in the 20232024 school year: Shirley Katz & Curtis Chambers (Maya ‘30, Talia ‘31), Inbal & Toby Frankenstein (Adam ’28, Abby ‘30, Amaya ‘33), and Debby Arzt-Mor & Boaz Mor (Tal ‘11, Edan ‘14).
Heather & Sarah Shields
Nancy Shields
Anda Kuo & Michael Shlipak*
Pat & Alan Siger
Diane Shapiro & John Sommerfield
Carol Sperber
Evan Spiler
Leo Stern
Nancy & Rick Stern
Raphael Stricker*
Leo Stroe ‘06
The Summers Family
Brittany Tackett
Christine Tamez
Sivan & Daniel Tarle*
Tahlia & Joseph Tartakovsky
Dana Lazarovitz &
Scot Thompson
Chloe Ticktin ‘15
Ethan Ticktin ‘17
Jared Ticktin ‘13
Lauren Trimble
Anatoliy Tsibulskiy*
Naomi Horton-Vienna ‘98 & Rocco Vienna
Clare Wadbrook
Damon Sperber ‘82 Evan Spiler
Zindzi Sugerman
Brittany Tackett
Christine Tamez
Parents of Alumni
Danielle Abecassis
Keren Asayag
Tristan Seifer & Brian Aubry
Kathy & Chad Balch
Erik Balin
Ardath Kirchner & Neal Biskar
Kim & Richard Brandt
Shannon Atlas & Howard Caro
Aimee Golant Casella &
Jennifer
The Dalfen Noteware
Yelena & Jordan Koplowicz
Natalie Sacks & John MacGregor
Jodi & Burt Magen
Lisa Pollock Mann & Alex Mann
Alexandra & Chanan Menachem
Jacqueline Shelton-Miller & Craig Miller
Deborah Arzt-Mor & Boaz Mor
Inara Morgenstern
June & Donald Nadler
Richard Oh
Erika Opper & James Horton
Lauren Orlick
Karen Kaufman Perlman & Brian Perlman
Ann Ritzma & Elaine Porter
Diane Epstein-Porter & Ken Porter
Laura Zander & Scott Porter
Anne & Tim Quaintance Ruth Katz & Michael Rapaport
Suzanne Rittenberg Rubinstein
& Steven Ganz
Dena & John Gardi
The Gatz-Levine Family
Miriam & Arthur z”l Gauss
Ellen & David Ginsberg
Diana Motseniat & Dmitriy Glazer
Nancy & Leonard Goldberg
Linda Gerard & Daniel Grossman
Jennifer Heyman
Marilyn D. Higuera
The Ritz Family
Kathryn & Avidan Rose
David Samson
Lindsy & Jason Sanders
Joëlle & Dov Schnaider*
Bonni & Jonathan Shenk
Linda Rubinstein & Elliott Sherr
Karen Hall & Steven Sherr
Anda Kuo &
Michael Shlipak
Carol Sperber
Raphael Stricker
Madhulika Varma & Jonathan Terdiman
Leslie & Stephen Ticktin
Jennifer Morris & Darlene Weide
Sharon & Joshua Weinberg
Marla & Robert Weiner
Rory & Jamie Weinstein
Adrian & David Worton
Julie Landau & Kenneth Young Anonymous (5) Alumni
Vivianne Beniflah
Rosenberg ‘85
Bessie Chekunov ‘06
Tamar Cooper ‘91
Rachel Freeman ‘02
Brian P. Goldman ‘97
Naomi Horton-Vienna ‘98
Jessica Katzki ‘07
Talya Kesselman Brass ‘94
Evan Kletter ‘80
Michelle Kletter ‘92
Tamir Korenbrot ‘91
Victoriya Kovpak ‘99
Simona Lewis ‘17
Maya Menachem ‘15
Ariela Morgenstern ‘92
Alanna Klein ‘76
Damon Sperber ‘82
Ilya Spivak ‘96
Leo Stroe ‘06
Chloe Ticktin ‘15
Ethan Ticktin ‘17
Jared Ticktin ‘13
Matthew Weiner ‘89
Alina Wickham ‘81
Daniel Zander ‘11
Community Members
Mitzi Berkelhammer
Emily Epstein
Barbara Meislin & Stuart Kaplan
Roni & Paul Melmed
Caryl & Jim Miller
Susan Munn
Bobbe Ragouzeos
The Redish Family
Charitable Fund
Isabel Schein
Kathleen Van Boven
Anonymous
Tribute Gifts
In honor of...
The Brandeis School of San Francisco Community
Alexandra Menachem
Maya Menachem ‘15
The Brandeis School of San Francisco Leadership Team
Hadara Stanton Hersh & Jerold Hersh
The Brandeis School of San Francisco Faculty & Staff
Crystal Brown
Crystal Brown
Sandee Bisson
Nicholas Cole-Farrell
Angela Dalfen
Angela Dalfen
Malika Densby
Milton Donald ‘25
Kelly Kozak & Josh Donald
Whitney Dorman
Angela Dalfen
Ella Drummond-Dulberg ‘23
Ilana Drummond & Sharon Dulberg
Micha
Drummond-Dulberg ‘20
Ilana Drummond & Sharon Dulberg
Zuri Fox ‘24
Robert Fox
Susan Fox
Sloane Ginocchio ‘24
Carole & Donald Alter
Dr. Dan Glass
Barbara Meislin & Stuart Kaplan
Caryl & Jim Miller
Samuel Gliklich ‘29
Jane Salmon &
Jerry Gliklich
Sara Goldrath
Bel Beeson
Jonah Goodman ‘30
Miriam & Richard
Zimmerman
Sarah Goodman ‘28
Miriam & Richard
Zimmerman
Cassi Goorin ‘18
Roni & Paul Melmed
Collin Graham ‘24
Betty Graham
Nicole Graham ‘29
Betty Graham
Joanne Green
Angela Dalfen
Ariel Gurevich ‘32
Alex Gurevich & Natalya Belkin
Levie Gurevich ‘30
Alex Gurevich & Natalya Belkin
Chaim Heller
Great Adventures
Through Education
David Higuera ‘89
Marilyn D. Higuera
Felix Huynh ‘29
Jamie & Tom Geidt
Josh Ibarra
Dr. Alison Frank
Talia Isaacs ‘32
Leslie & Steve Isaacs
Isaac Katz ‘23
Laura Gasser & Marc David Katz
Max Katz ‘19
Laura Gasser & Marc David Katz
Liliana Keston ‘26
Joan Keston & Hugh Grindstaff
Eitam Kohen
Cassandra Burger
Vivian Wong
Sophia Kuner ‘24
Nancy & Barry Friedman
Miles Lasser ‘25
Mitzi Berkelhammer
Erica & Jeffery Lawson
Rebecca Berman & Franklin Huang
The Lawson Family
Fred & Evelyn Freeman
Susan Higuera Lerner ‘86
Marilyn D. Higuera
Belle Levine
Aaron Jessup
Max Levine
Aaron Jessup
Ruby Lewis ‘26
Beth Eiselman
Khai Limburg ‘29
Patricia Melvin & Robert Limburg
Martin Lipman
Sivan & Daniel Tarle
Eva McDaniel ‘29
Claudia & Bob Eshoo
Avery Tobias Mechanic ‘32
Laura & Elli Liebrman
Sandra Menachem
Jonathan & Jacqueline Ferris
Michelle McBeth
Sara Goldrath
Sharon Moore
Alissa Gunsberg & Arik Pelkey
Robert Perez
Anatoliy Tsibulskiy
Jenny Rinn
Rachel Klein
Marlo Robin ‘28
Eva & Richard Klein
Sadie Robin ‘26
Eva & Richard Klein
Simon Rose ‘23
Kathryn & Avidan Rose
Micah Rutman-Lowy ‘32
Annie & Ron Lowy
Polly Sapakie
Amy & Nicholas
Cole-Farrell
Aidan Sommerfield ‘24
Anita & Mark Shapiro
Doris Sperber
Kristen Beck &
Damon Sperber ‘82
Damon Sperber ‘82
Stacy Youkilis
Zindzi Sugerman
Anatoliy Tsibulskiy
Christine Tamez
Stacy Youkilis
Rayla Tarle ‘30
Bobbe Ragouzeos
Dr. Sivan Tarle
Cameron Yuen-Shore
Denise Lujan
Dr. Jonathan Terdiman
Anne & Tim Quaintance
Lucy Vienna ‘31
Susan Vienna
Clare Wadbrook
Catherine Withrington
The Youkilis Family
Maureen & Greg Redish
Memorial Gifts
In memory of...
Harold Berman z”l
Rebecca Berman & Franklin Huang
Bubbie Beverly z”l
Lucy & Aaron Kornblith
David & Marcia Kornblith
Jeff Cheng z”l
Carlyann Cheng
Mrs. H. Lavi Oppenheimer
Friedman z”l
Iryse Ann Starr
Laura Henehan z”l
Fergus Henehan
Anne Hills z”l
Rachel Klein
Dr. John Kelly Jr. z”l
Megan Kossar
Richard Kuo z”l
Anda Kuo &
Michael Shlipak
Ian Neale z”l
Angie Dalfen &
Liz Noteware
Patty Ryan z”l
Margot Cooke
The loving grandparents of Eden Scott-Weiner
Alisa Weiner
Louis Shlipak z”l
Anda Kuo & Michael
Shlipak
Alex Solomon z”l
Robin Shostack & Will
McDonald
Reuben Sperber z”l
Kristen Beck &
Damon Sperber ‘82
Lee Van Boven z”l
Kathleen Van Boven
Alexander Vorobyov z”l
Maria Belilovskaya &
Gene Vorobyov
GRANDPARENTS AND SPECIAL FRIENDS DAY
Every year at Brandeis, our students are filled with joy when their grandparents and special friends spend the day at school. It is heartwarming to see the kids proudly showing off their classrooms and artwork, with love and pride. The day is always filled with an incredible spirit of happiness and enthusiasm. This day, embodying the Hebrew concept of l’dor v’dor (from generation to generation), has become a cherished Brandeis tradition, bringing our whole community together in celebration. Watching the children beam with pride as they give tours and explain their projects to their loved ones truly captures the essence of Brandeis—uniting families, honoring our relationships with them, and creating lasting memories. This day is so much more than just a beloved annual school event. It embodies the heart and soul of what makes Brandeis so special.
“Watching my grandchildren thrive at Brandeis makes me very happy. The school doesn’t just prepare students academically—it nurtures their spirits. The teachers have the ability to inspire the unique spark in every child, celebrating their individuality and intellectual curiosity. I am so grateful that my grandchildren are part of the Brandeis family, blossoming into caring and confident individuals. The values they are learning here will serve them well throughout their lives.”
- Betty Graham, grandparent of Nicole ‘29 and Collin ‘24
Under the sparkling lights of the Golden Gate Bridge, our incredible community came together for Heart & Soul, this year’s annual fundraiser for Tuition Assistance. The event was a resounding success, showcasing the spirit and generosity that defines our Brandeis community. We had an incredible turnout from both alumni and their families, who stepped out and stepped up for Brandeis.
Gallery 308 at Fort Mason buzzed with energy as over 250 guests—parents past and present—gathered for an evening of live music and unforgettable food. As Brandeis celebrated its 60th anniversary, the event perfectly captured everything we cherish about our school. The outpouring of support was truly heartwarming, with contributions totaling more than $420,000 for the Tuition Assistance Program.
This spectacular event was made possible by the broad participation of our Brandeis community. From donating auction and raffle items to hosting count-me-in events, countless individuals contributed their time, creativity, and resources. Their efforts ensured the evening’s success and demonstrated the strength of our school’s collaborative spirit.
We extend our deepest gratitude to everyone who supported our students and school through this event. Your generosity not only made Heart & Soul a night to remember but also reinforced the foundation of inclusivity and excellence that Brandeis stands for. Thank you for being the heart and soul of our community.
A very special thank you to the committee of volunteers who contributed their time and talent for this momentous event.
COMMITTEE CO-CHAIRS
Evan
COMMITTEE
LIVE AUCTION DONORS
Rebekah Goldstein
Erin & Jonathan Kahn
Meghan & Ryan Kelley
Alicia & Evan Kletter ‘80
Erica & Jeff Lawson
Nelli & Kevin Perkins
Kirsten Salmeen & Terry Platchek
Holly Hagens & Todd Sisitsky
Stewart Estates
Catherine Withrington
EVENT SPONSORS
$25,000+
Shirley Katz & Curtis Chambers
The Koret Foundation
Erica & Jeffrey Lawson
$10,000-$24,999
Holly Hagens & Todd Sisitsky
$5,000-$9,999
Tahlia & Jordan Bliss
Leslie & Alex Gleser
Rebecca Berman & Franklin Huang
Laura Hauben & Anthony Label
Amy & Jonathan Seff
Leslie & Stephen Ticktin
Laurie Beijen & Ben Tulchin United California Glass and Door
The Veen Firm Rory & Jamie Weinstein
$2,500-$4,999
Beacon Pointe Advisors
Lynette Stejskal & Russell Cohen
Elizabeth Epstein Diamond & Ethan Diamond
The England Family
Judith Tick & Steven Ganz
Rabbi Jessica & Jonathan Graf, Congregation Sherith Israel
Dingli & Brian Graham
Suzanne Schneider & Dov Herbstman
Danelle James & Edward Kavalerchik
Alicia & Evan Kletter ‘80
Sue & Michelle Kletter ‘92
Julie & Ari Lewis and Family
Naomi Lempert Lopez ‘89, Coldwell Banker Realty
Zindzi & Jeremy Sugerman
Madhulika Varma & Jonathan Terdiman
$1,000-$2,499
Armanino Foundation
Arthur J Gallagher & Co.
The Barkin Family
The Dalfen Noteware Family
Jacqueline Dolev & Matthew Cooperberg
Shelly Dolev
Iris Aluf Medina & Nedim Fresko
Mariela & Richard Gerstein
Michelle Sintov & Gary Grossman
Kristi & Gregory Grunberg
Kelli & Reuben Jacobson
Erin & Jonathan Kahn
Caitlin & Michael Keohane
Robin Shostack & Will McDonald
Pacific Heights Plastic Surgery
Weight Management Program
Nelli & Kevin Perkins
Jeny Wegbreit & Matt Powers
The Robin Family
Charlene & Bart Schachter
Warren & Chima Orthodontics
Anonymous
IN-KIND SPONSORS
Stewart Cellars
Hafner Vineyard
Sonoma Distilling Co.
Tito’s
FUND-A-NEED DONORS
Alya & Tim Abbott
Beth Cousens & Joel Aufrecht
Aliza Aber & Jonathan Browning
Kathy & Chad Balch
Elizabeth Shivvers & Jake Barrett
Ardath Kirchner & Neal Biskar
Lisa Kant & Daniel Blanaru
Danielle Foreman & Jonathan Brandon
Anjali & Peter Cameron
Shirley Katz & Curtis Chambers
Rebekah Goldstein & Ariel Chasnoff
Victoria & Ashish Chaudhary
Lynette Stejskal & Russell Cohen
Amy & Nicholas Cole-Farrell
Jacqueline Dolev & Matthew Cooperberg
Marisa & Seth Currie-Rose
The Dalfen Noteware Family
TUITION ASSISTANCE AT BRANDEIS
In the 2023-2024 school year, Brandeis granted $3.7M in tuition assistance awards to 47% of students. Thank you to all of our donors who support tuition assistance at Brandeis. We are especially grateful to the Jewish Community Federation of San Francisco and Erica and Jeff Lawson who have generously invested in our community with major gifts and grants that emphasize the importance of accessibility. Your generosity ensures that Brandeis continues to strengthen Jewish families and Jewish life in the Bay Area.
“Brandeis has been a true blessing for our family. The emphasis on kindness, meaningful Jewish traditions, and a tight-knit community has nurtured our daughter’s compassionate spirit and reconnected our entire family to our Jewish roots. Tuition assistance is more than just financial support, it is an investment in Jewish education, our rich culture, and the vitality of the broader community.”
- Brandeis Parent
Malika Densby
Elizabeth Epstein Diamond & Ethan Diamond
The Drummond-Dulberg Family
The England Family
Claudia & Bob Eshoo
Lindy & Ken Fox
James Stewart & Daniel Friedman
Shelli Newman & Marc Garnice
Pamela & Paul Ginocchio
Kate & Dan Glass
Leslie & Alex Gleser
Heidi Adams & William Goldfarb
Rebecca & Jason Goodman
Rebecca Gordon LaShanda Greene
Michelle Sintov & Gary Grossman
Kristi & Gregory Grunberg
Shannon & Dennis Gutierrez
Erika Opper & James Horton
Erin & Jonathan Kahn
Danelle James &
Edward Kavalerchik
Meghan & Ryan Kelley
Alicia & Evan Kletter ‘80
Barbara Bona & Piotr Komorowski
Jamie & Seth Lasser
Gail Billings-Beck & Alyce Laviolette
Erica & Jeffrey Lawson
Julie & Ari Lewis and Family
Alyce & Shawn Lichaa
Catherine Miller & Daniel Lieberman
Claire Tobias & Ori Lieberman
Robin Shostack & Will McDonald
Deborah Arzt-Mor & Boaz Mor
Nelli & Kevin Perkins
Monique & John Pflager
Lindsey & Douglas Pierce
Diane Epstein-Porter & Ken Porter
Ruth Katz & Michael Rapaport
Samantha & Jesse Richmond
Jenny Rinn
Kathleen Bedford & Andrew Robbins
The Robin Family
Kathryn & Avidan Rose
Marina & Vadim Rotberg
Sharon Karlsberg
BRANDEIS GRADUATES
CLASS OF 2024
Archbishop Riordan High School
The Bay School of San Francisco Burlingame High School
The College Preparatory School
Convent of the Sacred Heart High School
Drew School
Groton School
Jewish Community High School of the Bay Lick-Wilmerding High School
Lincoln High School
Lowell High School
Sacred Heart Cathedral Preparatory
San Francisco University High School
St. Ignatius College Preparatory
Sugar Bowl Academy
Urban School of San Francisco
CLASS OF 2020
Alexandra Haahr
Chloe Hall-Sherr
Leila Jahic
Andrew Eidelhoch
Carolina
George Krupka
Madeline Lazarus
Jacob Merin
Alana Miller
Ava Miller
Joshua Miller
Lily Mizrahi
Nick Neustadt
Eli Perman
Eleanor Porter
Evan Powers
Jacob Rothstein
Micaela SchillingerHyman
Gabriel Sigal
Bennett Taubman
Nathaniel Teitelbaum
Lelia Twersky
Lauren Wagonfeld
Pearl Werbach
Ben Will
Arianna Zilberleyb
Arizona State University
Brown University
California State University, Chico
Chapman University
Columbia University & List College of
The Jewish Theological Seminary
Cornell University
Dartmouth College
Emory University
Georgia Institute of Technology
Indiana University
Lehigh University
Loyola Marymount University
New York University
The Pennsylvania State University
Sacred Heart University
BRANDEIS ALUMNI: THE 60 YEAR CLUB
Brandeis alumni are a very special community. Whether you graduated in the 1960’s or in 2024, the values of kindness, service, and integrity are instilled and cultivated in every student who passes through the doors of 655 Brotherhood Way. Observing these principles manifest in the actions, passions, and careers chosen by our alumni are inspiring and poignant. Annually, we celebrate an alum who demonstrates the ideals of civics and democracy, driven by a lifelong commitment to service, during one of our vital Brandeis initiatives, Brandeis Giving Day. Alongside our Fund-A-Need for Tuition Assistance Program which took place during the spring fundraiser, these appeals are the cornerstone of the philanthropic efforts that have supported Brandeis and generations of families since our founding. Seeing our alumni and alumni families give back during these campaigns and their ongoing support are reminders of an important bond
On Brandeis Giving Day, we honored alumna Rya Fishman ‘09. Rya is a public defender and an advocate for criminal legal reform and death penalty abolition. We asked Rya about the role Brandeis has played in her life, “My experience at Brandeis prepared me for the professional road in which I currently find myself on. I believe that the lessons and values I learned at Brandeis led me to where I am today.”
Scripps College
Tufts University
Tulane University
University of California, Berkeley
University of California, Davis
University of California, Los Angeles
University of California, Riverside
University of Colorado Boulder
University of Denver
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
University of Miami
University of Michigan
University of Southern California
University of St. Andrews, Scotland
University of Wisconsin–Madison
Washington University in St. Louis
On October 12th, we welcomed Brandeis alumna Irena (Auerbuch) Smith ‘78 for our annual BrandeisConnects Book Talk. Smith led an engaging discussion about her life and her 2023 Literary Titan Gold Awardwinning book, “The Golden Ticket: A Life in College Admissions Essays.” Sharing personal anecdotes and humorous insights, she offered valuable perspectives on the college application process. Smith emphasized constructive approaches to help teens navigate admissions and define success on their own terms.
Thank you cherished alumni and alumni families for your ongoing support, and for the impact you are making, big and small, in our communities and in the world. You lead by example and teach the next generation of Brandeis graduates how important and connected we all are in the pursuit and expression of the values of service, justice, and philanthropy.
STAY CONNECTED
BRANDEIS CONNECTS! Our quarterly alumni newsletter, BrandeisConnects celebrates our incredible alumni and keeps our community updated on what is happening at the school. If you missed an issue visit www.sfbrandeis. org/alumni to access archived installments.
PLAN A REUNION: The development department will help plan class reunions—and the first two drinks are on Brandeis! Email us at development@ sfbrandeis.org.
READY TO NETWORK? Find us on our very own alumni LinkedIn group: The Brandeis School of San Francisco Alumni. This is your chance to connect with fellow alumni, share career opportunities, celebrate milestones, and stay up to date with our alumni doing amazing work in the world. Join today! If you have any questions, or simply want to be in touch, please feel free to email alumni@sfbrandeis.org. We would love to hear from you.
SHARE YOUR NEWS: Let us know about any personal or professional milestones in your life so we can add your news to the Class Notes section of our website, at www.sfbrandeis.org/alumni/classnotes, to share the news more widely with our Brandeis community.
UPDATE YOUR CONTACT INFORMATION: Go to www.sfbrandeis.org/ stayconnected to enter your contact information so we can keep you posted on Brandeis news and special events.
Rya Fishman ‘09
THANK YOU PARENT VOLUNTEERS!
THE BRANDEIS SCHOOL OF SAN FRANCISCO PARENTS’ ASSOCIATION
The Parents’ Association enriches the school experience for our entire community by offering a variety of activities and events that foster inclusivity and collaboration. From Jewish holiday events to parent education programs addressing current issues, the support of the PA is critical to fulfilling the mission of our school. The generosity of these dedicated volunteers makes a significant impact that is deeply appreciated.
THANK YOU TO OUR PARENTS’ ASSOCIATION, PARENT LEADERS LISTED BELOW, AND ALL THE PARENTS WHO STEPPED UP TO GIVE GENEROUSLY OF THEIR TIME, TALENT, AND RESOURCES IN THE 2023-2024 SCHOOL YEAR.
Co-Presidents
Beth Cousens
Jason Pollack
Immediate Past
Co-President
Justine Simpson
Secretary
Vicky Keston
Treasurer
Amy Cole-Farrell
Book Fair
Arlo Bridgland
Samantha Martin
Chesed
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee
Erica Lawson
Levis
Faculty & Staff Appreciation Shirley Katz
Shiwak-Harry
ADMISSIONS & OUTREACH COMMITTEE
Shelly Dolev
Jessica England
Rebecca Goodman
Lightstone
Meryl Leavitt
Julie Lewis
Lindsey Pierce
Adina Rauchwerger
Maggie Rothschild
Craig Sakowitz
Suzanne Schneider
Mieko Selsky
Liz Shivvers
Helen Timen
Jessica Wallack-Cohen
Shani Kaplan
Shirley Katz
Evan Kletter ‘80
The Admissions & Outreach Committee is a volunteer committee whose purpose is to support the Admissions Office in recruiting new students to The Brandeis School of San Francisco.
Staff
Angie Dalfen, Director of Admissions
Polly Sapakie,
Assistant Director of Admissions
Volunteers
Fraidy Aber
Renen Amir
Darci Rosenblum Aufhauser
Jody Barkin
Laurie Beijen
Lior Ben-Hur
Debbie Bensinger
Greg Bensinger
Rebecca Berman
Tanya Bernstein
Vida Bierman
Tahlia Bliss
Josh Brajtman
Michelle Brandt Browdy
Talya Kesselman Brass ‘94
Lauren Cappelloni
Curtis Chambers
Ash Chaudhary
Victoria Chaudhary
Nadya Cinman
Amy Cohen
Amica Cohn-Goldrei
Jessica Colvin
Beth Cousens
Melanie Dernyck Lightstone
Jackie Dolev
Kristi Dravland
Demello Edwidges
Jessica England
Ken Fox
Lindy Fox
Inbal Frankenstein
Toby Frankenstein
Adena Friedman
Yelena Gertsen
Paul Ginocchio
Kate Glass
Leslie Gleser
Simon Goldrei
Dingli Graham
Greg Grunberg
Claudia Guedes
Sara Heller
Dov Herbstman
Jerry Hersh
Daniel Hollander
Franklin Huang
MacKenzie Huynh Kelli Jacobson
Shirley Katz
Ruth Katz
Edward Kalaverchik
Vicky Keston
Won Kim
Jordan Koplowicz
Yelena Koplowicz
Aaron Kornblith
Julia Kreitzer
Jamie Lasser
Erica Lawson
Meryl Leavitt
Guy Ledergor
Udi Ledergor
Denise Lefberg
Cindy Mazow
Catherine Miller
Irit Miller Zmora
Debbie Mink
Mimi Mishor
Jennifer Navarette
Liz Noteware
SPIRIT OF BRANDEIS CHINESE NEW YEAR WITH LIONDANCEME
The lion dance troupe LionDanceMe celebrated the arrival of the Year of the Dragon with a colorful and festive performance for our entire school. The performers, all Chinese American youth, athletically maneuvered the red and gold lion head and body to the drums and cymbals creating an electrifying atmosphere that had students and teachers alike clapping along to the rhythm. Following the performance, the dancers answered questions from our students and shared their personal journey and dedication to training that allows them to share this unique ritual of Chinese culture in America.
This unforgettable lion dance performance left a lasting impression on our school community, fostering a deeper appreciation for Chinese culture and starting the Year of the Dragon on an auspicious note.
2024 OR HADASH AWARD
RECIPIENT: ARIEL FORD
:PACo-President
Gabrielle Ohayon
Megie Okumura
Lauren Orlick
Kevin Perkins
Nelli Perkins
Terry Platchek
Nick Przybyla
MIchael Rapaport
Adina Rauchwerger
Katie Rose
Rachel Rosenblum
Craig Sakowitz
Kirsten Salmeen
Jesse Sapakie
Jennifer Saslaw
Stacy Schliffer
Amy Seff
Suzanne Schneider
MIeko Selsky
Tal Shahar
Sarah Shields
Anat Shiwak-Harry
Justine Simpson
Hadara Stanton Hersh
Lynette Stejskal
Karen Stern
Deanna Suarez Ben-Hur
Joseph Tartakovsky
Jonathan Terdiman
Gene Vorobyov
Maria Vorobyov
Sarah Wallis
Jeny Wegbreit
David Williams
Scott Youkilis
Stacy Youkilis
Ehud Zeltser
Inna Zilberleyb
Thank you to donors Dingli and Brian Graham, Rebecca Berman and Franklin Huang, Tam and MacKenzie Huynh, Kexin and Changhui Li, and Zheng Li and Meiyu Zhai for their generosity in underwriting this special visit!
JUDD WINICK AUTHOR VISIT
Judd Winick is the creator, writer, and artist of the beloved New York Times bestselling Hilo series. He spent an afternoon at Brandeis with second through fourth grade students to share his newest book: Hilo Book 10: Rise of the Cat! Judd shared how his travels inspire the places in his stories, answered students’ questions about his process, and the role his kids and pets play in nurturing his ideas. This is Judd’s second visit to Brandeis and he continues to inspire our lower school students in their love of reading and creative writing.
Each year The Brandeis School of San Francisco presents the Or Hadash (New Light) Award to an extraordinary parent volunteer. This honor is given in recognition of their exemplary volunteerism and the positive and significant impact they have made on our community throughout their time at our school. The recipient of the 2023-2024 award was Ariel Ford. Ariel’s passion for feeding, supporting, and recognizing the Brandeis faculty and staff is unmatched. She served for fourteen years as organizer of the weekly teacher meals, showing love and gratitude to our teachers and staff by ensuring everyone had the energy to make it through the day. Each week she recruited two families to host breakfast and snacks for the faculty and staff to enjoy, never stepping away from her commitment to prioritizing this time-honored tradition. She has also served up countless fruit platters, cookie plates, and kosher salads for every oneg, school function, and celebration. Aside from keeping everyone fed, she served on the Head of School Search Committee, when the school was seeking new leadership. In 2014 the committee ultimately made the pivotal and inspiring move of identifying and appointing Dr. Dan Glass as our Head of School.
Ariel is the proud parent of Gideon, Zohar ‘19 and Joram ‘24 and owner of Easy Breezy Frozen Yogurt… a Brandeis favorite!
Parents’ Association Co-President Beth Cousens expressed about Ariel, “The art of building community starts with a vision, but it happens in hundreds of tiny details. You uplifted the Brandeis community so much for the better and we are so grateful.”
Beth Cousens,Dr.DanGlass, Arie l Fo r d
SHAPING BRANDEIS FOR THE NEXT 60 YEARS
2023–2024 FACULTY & STAFF MILESTONES
Mazel Tov and Yasher Koach! We are proud to honor and recognize faculty and staff who have achieved significant career anniversaries at Brandeis. In 2023-2024, we celebrated the ten year milestones of: First Grade Teacher Crystal Brown, Director of Technology & Making Nicholas Cole-Farrell, Director of Finance & Operations Malika Densby, Second Grade Teacher Sara Goldrath, Art Teacher Catherine Withrington, and Staff Accountant Joyce Mendoza In a testament to his enduring passion for Brandeis and Jewish education, we also celebrated the 25 year milestone of Kindergarten Judaic Studies & Hebrew Teacher Jonathan Ferris. We are grateful to these faculty and staff members who bring so much passion, love, and joy to their work of educating our students. We congratulate them and hope they will be with us for many years to come!
“Brandeis truly is a unique community, where the whole student and teacher are nurtured, and I’ve grown so much personally and professionally during my time here. I’m very happy I get to play a role in inspiring our students to bravely explore their world with curiosity and empathy.”
- Crystal Brown, General Studies
“I am so grateful for the support I have received here at Brandeis. I started out as our music teacher and worked my way to becoming a Jewish Studies teacher. Along this wonderful journey of professional and spiritual growth, I have been given tremendous support from our school at every step of the way.”
- Jonathan Ferris, Kindergarten Judaic Studies & Hebrew Teacher & Alumni Parent
For over three decades, Robert Perez has been a devoted member of our facilities and security staff team, diligently maintaining our campus grounds and facilities. His dedication ensured that our campus remained well-cared for throughout the years. Robert’s support was evident at every campus event and special occasion, making him an invaluable member of our community. This past spring, Robert retired after an impressive 33-year tenure. We extend our heartfelt gratitude and a warm “Mazel Tov” to Robert for his exemplary service!
Teacher
for First Grade
Stuart Kaplan’s vision transformed San Francisco’s Jewish education landscape when he founded Brandeis (originally the Modern Hebrew Day School) as the Board’s first President in 1963 along with Rabbi Saul White, Executive Director Frances Sussna, and others. With unwavering dedication, he hosted meetings with Rabbi Saul White and community leaders in his home, where they discussed the school’s curriculum and philosophy. His passionate advocacy throughout San Francisco ignited support for what would become a cornerstone of Jewish education in the Bay Area.
Today, Stuart’s legacy lives on through the thousands of lives touched by a Brandeis education. By designating the school as a beneficiary of his IRA, he has ensured that his impact will continue for generations to come—and you are invited to join him in this vital mission. Your planned gift to
The Brandeis School of San Francisco is not just a donation—it is an investment in Jewish continuity, academic excellence, and the vibrant future of our community. Every legacy commitment, whether through an IRA, will, or trust, builds upon our 60-year foundation of nurturing young minds and Jewish values.
For more information about legacy giving opportunities, please contact: Stacy Youkilis, 415-294-4843, syoukilis@sfbrandeis.org.
FROM STRENGTH TO STRENGTH: OPPORTUNITIES FOR SUPPORTING BRANDEIS
THE BRANDEIS FUND: Contributions to our annual fund provide flexible, unrestricted income for programs that define a Brandeis education and are critical to helping us meet our annual budget. Every gift goes to work immediately to ensure we can attract excellent faculty, provide funding for academic initiatives and co-curricular programs, and meet the highest needs in the current year.
THE ANNUAL SPRING FUNDRAISER: This community event raises funds for the Tuition Assistance Program which promotes socio-economic diversity in our school by enabling a broad range of families to access a Brandeis education for their children. There are many meaningful ways to participate, from event sponsorship and the purchase of tickets, to the donation of auction items and experiences. The special event for the 2024-2025 school year will take place on Saturday, April 5, 2025.
PLANNED GIVING: Thoughtful estate and charitable gift planning can make a lasting impact on the financial stability and future growth of our school. Gifts can be made by placing Brandeis in your will, designating Brandeis as a beneficiary of a trust, retirement account, or insurance policy, or by making a gift of real estate or other tangible property.
L-R: BarbaraMeislin,Dr.DanGlass, Stuart Kap la n
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