Events
Congratulations to Lior '84 and Dr. Drora Arussy, Guests of Honor 2018.
Lior Arussy graduated the Hesder program at Yeshivat Har Etzion in 1989 as a combat medic. He was given special dispensation to concurrently be the youth director for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Soviet Jewry Office. He has served as a member of the Etzion Foundation Board of Directors for the past 10 years, and he and Drora have been longstanding supporters of Yeshivat Har Etzion and Migdal Oz. One of the world’s authorities on customer experience, customer centricity and transformation, Lior is the CEO & President of Strativity Group, a consulting group based in NJ with offices in Canada, Australia, uK and Singapore. Lior has also authored seven books including “Next is Now” to be released in May 2018. Dr. Drora Arussy was always a Gush wannabee. In her year in Israel she would spend many Shabbatot at the Leibtag home to try and hear what her friends had learned that week, and of course also enjoying Rabbi Menachem and Thea Leibtag’s company. When Rav Yehuda Amital, agreed to be their mesader kedushin in Cleveland, Ohio, it was really a dream come true. The dreams kept coming as two of their daughters completed their Shana ba’Aretz in Migdal Oz. Drora is an educator and teacher trainer and is Conference Director for E’eleh BeTamar, an organization that promotes research and dissemination of the beauty of Yemeni Jewry legacy, tradition and customs. Dalya, Cheli, Liad, Netanel and Ronya Arussy learned, grew and grow from teachers throughout their school years who either directly or indirectly were trained by Gush. |
Congratulations to Rabbi Kalman '90 and Dr. Jordana Topp, Rabbinic and Communal Leadership Award 2018.
Rabbi Kalman Topp attended Yeshivat Har Etzion from 1990-1992. Rabbi Topp is currently the Senior Rabbi at Beth Jacob Congregation in Beverly Hills, serving in that position since 2009. During his tenure, he has strengthened Beth Jacob as a leading center of Modern Orthodoxy and Religious Zionism, providing dynamic Torah and social programming for all ages including young professionals. Previously, he served as Associate Rabbi at the Young Israel of Woodmere and Rabbi at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine. Rabbi Topp was also on the Judaic Studies faculty at the Frisch School and Hebrew Academy of Five Towns and Rockaways. After graduating from Sy Syms School of Business, Rabbi Topp was a learning madrich for the inaugural year of Yeshivat Reishit Yerushalayim. He received his ordination from Yeshiva university – RIETS and earned a Masters degree in secondary education from the Azrieli Graduate School of Jewish Education. Rabbi Topp is active in the broader community, currently serving on the National Council of AIPAC, Executive Committee of the RCA, Executive Committee of the Southern California Board of Rabbis, and the Advisory Board for the Israel-Christian Nexus. Dr. Jordana Topp is a graduate of Stern College and the university of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey. She studied at Michlalah and Nishmat in Jerusalem. In addition to raising her family, Jordana works as a dentist in private practice. As Rebbetzin of Beth Jacob, she teaches the Matan Bat Mitzvah seminar and Taharat hamishpacha classes to women. Jordana is currently a fellow in Nishmat’s Miriam Glaubach Center u.S. Yoetzet Halacha program. The Topps live in Los Angeles, California and have six children - Rachelli, Tzippora, Ayelet, Yakira, Aharon and Aryeh. |
Congratulations to Isaac and Dr. Talia (Stechler) Dayan MO ’03, Alumna of the Year Award 2018.
Dr. Talia Dayan, MO ’03, is the Stella K. Abraham Beit Midrash for Women at Migdal Oz Alumna of the Year. Talia embraced the warm and nurturing environment of Migdal Oz to support her advanced Talmud and Halacha studies, and in both a personal and professional capacity she seeks to help support others every day. Talia currently works as a school psychologist at a New Jersey public high school, and spent the past eight years conducting psycho-educational evaluations and providing psychotherapy in a variety of settings. She completed her post-doctoral fellowship at the Center for Applied Psychology of Bikur Cholim of Rockland County. Talia earned a doctorate in School Psychology at St. John’s university and a B.A. in Psychology and History from Brandeis university. Talia enjoys connecting with Esti and other Migdal Oz alumnae through her participation in alumnae programming, frequently serving on event committees. Since her year in Israel, Talia has been an active member of her community in both Washington Heights, and in Teaneck, where she now resides with her family. Talia, together with her husband Isaac, helps create opportunities for others to learn at Migdal Oz through annual support of the scholarship fund. Isaac Dyan is a vice President in the Securities Division at Goldman Sachs. He received a B.S. in Economics from the Wharton School at the university of Pennsylvania and is a CFA Charterholder. Isaac teaches a weekly class at Shaarei Orah, the Sephardic Congregation of Teaneck, in Hilchot Tefillah. He previously served as President of Mount Sinai Jewish Center in Washington Heights, NY. Talia and Isaac Dayan currently reside in Teaneck, NJ with their three children, Bonnie (5), Mitchell (3) and Emily (1). |
Congratulations to Rav Daniel Rhein and Racheli Schmell (Rhein) upon receiving a well-deserved, Dor L'Dor Award, at the Etzion Foundation Annual Dinner 2017.
Rabbi Danny Rhein has been involved in chinuch most of his life. He was a rebbe, director of guidance, assistant principal, and principal at several Yeshiva high schools in the United States from 1974-1990 when the family made aliya. He was first a rebbe and mashgiach ruchani at Beit Midrash l’Torah and since 2001 he has been the mashgiach ruchani at Yeshivat Har Etzion. His love of Torah and of teaching goes back to his high school days when he was a still remembered oneg leader and camp counselor. In college and graduate school he became involved with NCSY and Yeshiva University Seminars and the Counterpoint program in Australia. He was on the chinuch staff at Camp Mesorah and the director of the educational staff at Camp Morasha. He and his wife, Tova, are the parents of five and the grandparents of nineteen and feel blessed every day with wonderful nachat. Racheli Schmell (nee Rhein) began her Migdal Oz life in 2007 as a Shana Aleph student in the Israeli program after two years of Sherut Leumi. The following year, she began studying for her BA in social work at Bar Ilan University, married David, and became a full-time Madricha for the chutz la’aretz students. In 2011 the Madricha position evolved into that of Overseas Director and the BA was followed by an MA in educational guidance. The Schmell family now numbers four beautiful children - Ori, Hallel, Adi, and Shachar. Their home is their small apartment on campus but, really, it’s the Beit Midrash that will always be home. |
Congratulations to Rabbi Jeffrey and Michelle Greenberg Kobrin, Alumnus of the Year 2017.
Rabbi Jeffrey Kobrin attended Yeshivat Har Etzion from 1992 to 1994. He is currently Rosh HaYeshiva/Head of School of the North Shore Hebrew Academy in Great Neck, New York, where he previously served as Middle School Principal. He was the Headmaster of the Ramaz Middle School and worked as an administrator, a college adviser, and a teacher of Tanakh, Halakha, and English at the Ramaz Upper School. Rabbi Kobrin has semikha from Rabbi Zalman Nehemia Goldberg and from RIETS. He holds a BA and MA in English literature from Columbia University, where he is currently completing his doctorate in the Teaching of English, writing on the use of literature to teach moral values. A popular scholar-in-residence and lecturer, Rabbi Kobrin teaches at Camp Moshava in the summer and sits on the Board of Columbia/Barnard Hillel. Michelle Greenberg-Kobrin is Clinical Assistant Professor of Law, Director of the Indie Film Clinic, and Director of the Leadership Program at the Heyman Center on Corporate Governance at Cardozo Law School. She previously served as Dean of Students at Columbia Law School and worked at Arnold and Porter, LLP. Michelle serves as Board Chair of the Organization for the Resolution of Agunot. The Kobrins live in Riverdale, New York with their daughters Naama, Avital and Livia. Their daughter Yaira is currently a student at Migdal Oz. Rabbi Kobrin treasures two aspects of Yeshivat Har Etzion: the Torah he learned during his years at the Yeshiva, Torah which he continues to learn in the VBM and in shiurim from visiting teachers; and the warm, deep interpersonal connections with friends and Rebbeim in the Yeshiva, Alon Shevut and beyond, relationships that have lasted strongly for years. |
Congratulations to Simcha and Barbara Hochman, Parents of the Year - 2017.
Barbara and Simcha Hochman are recipients of the Parents of the Year Award. Their daughter Ayelet attended the Stella K. Abraham Beit Midrash for Women at Migdal Oz, and their son Ariel spent two years at Yeshivat Har Etzion (Gush). Simcha, a long-time Gush wanabe, is a partner at Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP, an international law firm, in its New York City office. He is currently president of Congregation Rinat Yisrael in Teaneck, NJ, and has served on its executive board for many years. He has also served on the board of Torah Academy of Bergen County (TABC) and other communal organizations. Barbara has served on the Etzion Foundation board for the past two years, and has hosted numerous Migdal Oz tisches and other events. She has served as co-Chair of the Rinat Aveilut Committee for 12 years and been involved in a leadership capacity in many other shul and communal activities, including the TABC Education Committee. Barbara previously worked for Lucent Technologies and Bell Labs. |
Congratulations to Rabbi Gidon Rothstein '82 and Elizabeth Holland, upon receiving a well-deserved, Dor L'Dor Award, at the Etzion Foundation Annual Dinner 2016.
Gidon Rothstein attended Yeshivat Har Etzion in 1982-83, and again after graduating Yeshiva College. Following his ordination by RIETS, he served in the synagogue rabbinate, in high school and adult education, including his participation in the OU’s online Nach Yomi project. Rabbi Rothstein is the author of several books, among them: Murderer in the Mikdash, a novel set in Jerusalem in the time of the third Beit HaMikdash and We’re Missing the Point: What’s Wrong with the Orthodox Jewish Community and How to Fix It. His forthcoming book, tentatively titled As If We Were There, offers daily readings for the month of Nissan, up to and including Pesach, to experience Yetsiat Mitzrayim more fully, personally, and pervasively, closer to how the Torah lays it out for Jews to incorporate in their lives, both on and beyond Pesach. This year, in memory of Rav Lichtenstein, z’’l, he has been Blogging R. Lichtenstein, a weekly essay on Rav Lichtenstein’s published volumes, posted on torahmusings.com. Elizabeth is a partner at Goodwin Procter LLC, where she specializes in patent infringement litigation. She received her undergraduate degree in chemical engineering from the Cooper Union and her JD from Cardozo. The Rothsteins live in Riverdale with their three children. Their oldest, Tamar, attended Migdal Oz in 5773 (2012-13) and is now a Junior at the University of Pennsylvania. Aryeh is completing his second year at Yeshivat Eretz HaTzvi, and Adin is graduating SAR Academy. |
Congratulations to Hillel '91 and Saritte Silvera, Alumnus of the Year 2016.
Hillel and Saritte live in Woodmere New York. Hillel attended Yeshivat Har Etzion from 1991 to 1992, after completing his undergraduate studies at UCLA. He went on to study law at Columbia Law School and is currently a partner at Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher, a leading global law firm, where he specializes in commercial real estate. A long time supporter of the Yeshiva and its programs, Hillel has served on the Board of Directors and Executive Council of Etzion Foundation, and as its corporate secretary, since 2007. Hillel also serves as outside counsel to Etzion Foundation (pro bono), devoting his time and resources to the work of the Foundation. Both Hillel and Saritte are actively involved in their community. Hillel serves on the Board of Trustees of Hebrew Academy of Long Beach (HALB). He also represents HALB in connection with its sale of its historic Long Beach campus and purchase of a new elementary school campus in the Five Towns. Saritte, a graduate of Yeshiva University’s Stern College for Women and Sy Syms School of Business, has served as co-president of the HALB Women’s League as well as their synagogue Sisterhood, and serves on HALB’s SKA Parent Council. In addition, Saritte is currently on the faculty at HALB, where she has taught music for 12 years. Hillel and Saritte have four daughters, Rachel, Alyssa, Rebecca and Elana. Rachel and Alyssa attend HALB’s Stella K. Abraham High School for Girls, and Rebecca and Elana attend HALB elementary school. Hillel and Saritte take great pride in their association with Yeshivat Har Etzion and are grateful for the opportunity to support its important mission. |
Congratulations to Gary and Hildee Weiss, Parents of the Year - 2016.
Gary and Hildee Weiss are recipients of the Parents of the Year Award. Their son, Seth, is in his second year at Yeshivat Har Etzion and is joining the IDF in the Spring. Gary and Hildee have enjoyed a special connection with the Rebbeim, staff and students of Yeshivat Har Etzion since the 1990's. HaRav Binyamin Tabory and HaRav Mosheh Lichtenstein each served as Roshei Kollel at the Torat Tzion Kollel of Fuchs Mizrachi School in Cleveland; while many Gush alumni have taught their children through Bnei Akiva, Camp Stone and Fuchs Mizrachi School. Gary has been with American Greetings since 1989. He is the Vice President of the retail division of Papyrus Cards, as well as the Vice President of International Business Development. Prior to that, he was with Ernst and Young in New York. Gary holds an MBA from Case Western Reserve University, a BS from Yeshiva University and a CPA. Gary serves as the Chairman of the Board of Camp Stone, Chair of the Human Service Allocations committee of the Jewish Community Federation of Cleveland, Co-Chair of the of Bnei Akiva of Cleveland Parents committee, Board of Yeshiva College, Board of OU, and is involved in Fuchs Mizrachi School. Hildee is a self-employed published writer. While at Stern College, where she graduated with a BA in English Communications, Hildee was employed as an assistant editor and staff writer at Sterling Publications. She has written on a variety of subjects, most notably parenting and pregnancy loss. Hildee has produced several video presentations for local and national Jewish organizations. She also attended Michalala College for Women in Jerusalem. Hildee is the Co-Chair of the of Bnei Akiva of Cleveland Parents committee, Board of Friendship Circle and is involved with Fuchs Mizrachi School. Gary and Hildee reside in Beachwood, Ohio with their five children: Yaffa, Seth, Miriam, Yonatan and Liat. |
Congratulations to Mindy Kolatch and Diane Kolatch '04 MO, 2015 L'Dor V'Dor Award.
Mindy Kolatch lives in Englewood New Jersey where she and her family are active in the community. All three of her children proudly attended Yeshivat Har Etzion. Deni, who studied at Migdal Oz in ’04-’05, went to Columbia University and teaches Humanities. Noah went to Gush for his post H.S. year ’09-’10, then to Columbia University, and works as an analyst at Goldman Sachs. Joseph, who spent Zman Elul learning at Gush in 2009, went on to NYU Law School and is a litigation lawyer at Paul Weiss Rifkind. Mindy has always been deeply committed to education in both the Jewish and secular worlds. During her long tenure as a math teacher at the Ramaz Upper School, she strove to inculcate academic excellence in her students at all levels and form personal relationships with them. Prior to teaching at Ramaz, she served as the chairperson and mentor of the Mathematics Department at the Dwight School, where she was also instrumental in developing programs that serviced the school’s neighboring communities. Mindy volunteers for the Jewish Family Service of Bergen County as well as local public schools and serves on the board of the JCC in Tenafly. Her family has been a steadfast supporter of Congregation Ahavath Torah of Englewood for over twenty years as well as involved in the Moriah School. The Kolatch family has been a long time contributor to Yeshivat Har Etzion and Migdal Oz, including the newly initiated program of the Advanced Talmud and Halacha Scholars at Migdal Oz. Diane Kolatch, Deni to all who know her, attended Migdal Oz in 2004. Even ten years later, the humanism, deep questioning, social connections, singing experiences and role models that were the hallmarks of her Migdal Oz education, remain central to her daily thinking and teaching. Deni has remained connected to Migdal Oz throughout the years through alumni programming including Shabbatonim and Arvei Shira, and always enjoys meeting the next class of Migdal Oz graduates. Deni hopes to follow in her mother’s footsteps. As a Humanities teacher in the NYC Public Schools, she aspires to provide her students with the kind of lasting educational experience she received at Migdal Oz. She continues her commitment to the Jewish community by being an active member of her shul board and a volunteer at the Ansche Chesed homeless shelter on the Upper West Side. |
Congratulations to Donny '02 and Arielle Rosenberg, 2015 Alumnus of the Year Award.
Donny Rosenberg attended Yeshivat Har Etzion from 2002-2004 and returned in 2005 as a newlywed with Arielle to learn in the kollel. There Donny and Arielle had their first daughter, Nessya. Donny’s strong feelings for the yeshiva stem from those formative years, and his affiliation and support have been constant since his days as a student. Donny is a graduate of Yeshiva University and serves on a number of educational and communal boards, including the Etzion Foundation, Yeshiva University High School for Boys and Aleph Beta. Donny is currently a Managing Director at Greystone & Co., Inc. where he co-founded and leads one of the firm’s most prolific debt team that originates agency, conduit, and balance sheet loans. Donny is also the co-founder and co-managing member of RedRock Real Estate Group, LLC, which has acquired many units throughout the United States. Arielle is a graduate of Yeshiva University and participates in many philanthropic efforts in her community. Professionally, Arielle manages the largest debt pipeline for Greystone & Co and is also the managing member of Emerald Real Estate, LLC, which has invested in multifamily properties across the country. Donny and Arielle live with their six children Nessya (9), Eliana (7), Simcha (6), Gabriella (4), Micah (2), and Adiva (9 months) in Riverdale, NY. |
Congratulations to Rabbi Dr. Aaron '92 and Tzipora Ross, 2015 Rabbinic Tribute and Educational Leadership Award.
Rabbi Dr. Aaron and Tzipora Ross live in Bergenfield, NJ with their five children - Shmuel, Chaya, Ahuva, Shimon, and Tiferet. Aaron learned at Yeshivat Har Etzion in 1992-93 and again in 1996-97, serving as a madrich for overseas students and editor of Alei Etzion during his second year in Yeshiva. In between, he earned a B.A. in History from the University of Pennsylvania. Following his time at Gush, Aaron earned Masters degrees in Rabbinics from NYU and Education from Yeshiva University, and completed his semicha at Yeshiva University in 2002 and his doctorate in education there as well in 2009. For the past sixteen years, Aaron has taught at Yavneh Academy in Paramus, NJ, first as a Rebbe and now as Assistant Principal in the Middle School. He has given workshops and worked individually with other educators to help them integrate technology into limudei kodesh classrooms, and to help bring more studentcentered modes of education into those classrooms as well. He is among the founders of JedCamp, a growing movement of “unconferences” for Jewish educators. He has been privileged to maintain long-term connections with his students, many of whom have eventually studied in Har Etzion and Migdal Oz. Tzipora Ross, née Fredman, spent two years learning at Midreshet Lindenbaum and earned her BA in History from Barnard College. She earned her MA and completed her doctoral coursework in Jewish History at CUNY. She has taught Judaic Studies in Middle School for the past two decades, first at SAR and now at Ramaz Middle School, where she teaches Gemara and Jewish History. She has won the Grinspoon-Steinhardt award for outstanding teaching, served her colleagues for over a decade on the Faculty Council, and is currently part of a cohort through the Lookstein Center focusing on bringing the Flipped Learning model to Judaic Studies classrooms. Tzipora was on the founding middle school committee of Yeshivat Noam and is currently on the education committee of Torah Academy of Bergen County. The Rosses have been active members of Congregation Beth Abraham in Bergenfield. Aaron has served as youth director, youth committee member and chairman and vice-president of the shul, and currently gives a weekly shiur in Ramban al HaTorah. Tzipora has been a longstanding member of the adult education and hospitality committees, and created and coordinates the annual Simchat Torah shiur for women. |
Congratulations to Dor L’Dor 2014 award recipients, Dassie and David Schreiber’s inter-generational connection to Yeshivat Har Etzion dates back to their parents Aaron and Blanche Schreiber z”l and Nathan and Esther Maidenbaum z”l. The relationship began when David’s parents moved their family from New Jersey to Manhattan in 1952 to be closer to Rav Joseph B. Soloveitchik zt"l. David later became a student at Yeshiva University and received semicha from the Rav zt”l. Dassie’s father, revering the Rav zt"l, was a supporter of Yeshiva University. Dassie graduated Stern College with a Teachers degree in English Literature.
David and Dassie balance their family life with community service and their professional careers. They have been an integral part of the Five Towns Jewish community, including David having served as Chairman of the Young Israel of Woodmere’s New Building Campaign, President of Hebrew Academy of Long Beach and President of Congregation Mikveh South Shore and many other worthy causes. David is a Vice President of A.H. Schreiber Co and Dassie is a professional writer. David, who serves on the Etzion Foundation Board, together with Dassie, have provided guidance and financial support for many years since their children’s attendance at Yeshivat Har Etzion. Dassie and David are the proud parents of Doniel and Aviva Schreiber, Avie and Navi Schreiber and Blanche and Yedidiah Buchwald. Doniel and Avie both attended Yeshivat Har Etzion. Doniel is presently a Ram at the Yeshiva and the founding Dean of the Yeshiva’s Center for Torah Leadership (CTL). Avie teaches at the Yavneh Academy in Paramus, NJ. Their daughter, Blanche, is an occupational therapist at Kids Therapy in New Jersey. David and Dassie have been blessed b”H with many grandchildren. Continuing on to the next generation, three of David and Dassie’s granddaughters, Devorah, Chani and Rivky, are students at the Stella K. Abraham Beit Midrash for Women at Migdal Oz and the Herzog College. This award is a tribute to the legacy of their parents, Aaron and Blanche Schreiber z”l, Nathan and Esther Maidenbaum z”l, and to their children and grandchildren, while expressing appreciation for the Yeshivat Har Etzion institutions. |
Congratulations to Rella Feldman and her daughter, Mindy Hecht ’04 MO, are the recipients of the Gemilut Chasadim Award. Rella’s communal involvement in a variety of Jewish organizations reflects her deep commitment to Am Yisrael and Medinat Yisrael. The child of Holocaust survivors Sally and Isak Levenstein z”l, Rella, together with her late husband, Dr. Charles Feldman z”l, focused their involvement on Jewish educational institutions, Holocaust education and philanthropy in the American Jewish community and in Israel. On the local front, they were founding members of Congregation Keter Torah in Teaneck, and served as presidents of the Frisch School and the Moriah School. Rella holds a Master’s degree in Jewish Education and has held leadership roles in the UJA Federation of Northern NJ, Yeshivat Chovevei Torah, the Drisha Institute and many other organizations.
Mindy has followed in her parents’ footsteps, making communal involvement and social justice a priority in her life. Mindy is Program Manager at Hip Hop Public Health, a nonprofit organization committed to innovative public health education solutions for high-risk populations. Following her graduation from Frisch, Mindy spent a year of intense study at the Stella K. AbrahamBeit Midrash for Women at Migdal Oz. During her time learning there, Mindy deepened her appreciation for serious Torah learning and was inspired by the passion and commitment of her esteemed teachers and fellow students. With a B.A. and Master’s in Public Health both from Columbia, Mindy is the Chief Compliance Officer for Uri L’Tzedek’s Tav HaYosher (ethical seal) program for kosher restaurants and also serves on the Young Professionals Committee at Darkhei Noam. Mindy stays connected to Migdal Oz through her participation in alumni programming, and together with her husband, Eric, helps support and further the mission of Migdal Oz. The Feldman family was also among the initial sponsors of the Advanced Talmud & Halacha program at Migdal Oz, and through their support over a dozen women are participating in this intense leadership program of high level Gemara study and Halacha. |
Congratulations to Rav Mordechai ’78 and Debby Friedman, recipients of the Keter Torah Award, have been fixtures at the Yeshiva for nearly 30 years. Rav Mordechai hails from Long Beach, NY, where his father, Rabbi Dr. Armin Friedman, of the Hebrew Academy of Long Beach, devoted his life to chinuch. Rav Mordechai spent three years at Gush learning under Rav Aharon Lichtenstein shlit”a before going to YU where he studied under Rav Joseph B. Soloveitchik zt"l. He later earned semicha from the Chief Rabbinate of Israel.
Rav Mordechai and Debby made aliya to Alon Shevut in 1984 where they joined the Kollel at the Yeshiva. Rav Mordechai has been teaching at the Yeshiva since 1986, playing a profound and valuable role in the lives of young students coming to learn there as their rebbe, teacher, advisor and friend – as well as the local medic! Rav Mordechai enjoys meeting and teaching the next generation of students, sons of his fellow classmates from when he learned at Gush. Rav Mordechai also heads Yeshiva recruitment in England and Europe and is Halacha Coordinator for the Virtual Beit Midrash. Debby, born and raised in Pittsburgh, PA, spent her college years at Stern College. Debby has been working for the Yeshiva for 25 years, primarily working with Dr. Brayer on the Yeshiva’s finances, keeping in touch with alumni, parents and donors and working on events in both Israel and abroad. In overseeing the administration of tuition and scholarships at the Yeshiva and Migdal Oz, Debby works with students and parents to provide a smooth and easy enrollment process for new Har Etzion families. Rav Mordechai and Debby, parents of seven children including Yaakov who learned in Gush, frequently host students for Shabbat and yom tov meals, group gatherings and shiurim, providing a home-away-from home environment that is enjoyed and appreciated by all. |
Congratulations to Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis, the dinner Keynote Speaker, was installed as the Chief Rabbi of United Hebrew Congregations of the Commonwealth in September 2013, succeeding Chief Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks. He held prestigious Rabbinic positions such as Chief Rabbi of Ireland, Rabbi of the Western Marble Arch Synagogue in London and Senior Rabbi at Finchley United Synagogue, a position he held until becoming Chief Rabbi this past year.
Chief Rabbi Mirvis studied at Yeshivat Har Etzion between 1976 and 1978. He received his rabbinic ordination from Machon Ariel in Jerusalem and gained a BA in Education and Classical Hebrew from the University of South Africa. He also studied at the Yaacov Herzog Teachers College of Yeshivat Har Etzion. Chief Rabbi Mirvis and his wife, Valerie, have four sons who studied at Yeshivat Har Etzion: Hillel, Daniel, Noam and Eitan. |
Rabbi Yehuda Sarna ‘95 was named 2013 Alumnus of the Year and honored together with his wife Dr. Michelle Sarna, for their tremendous contributions to the Jewish community at New York University and to klal Yisrael.
Rabbi Sarna is the Executive Director of the Bronfman Center for Jewish Student Life at New York University (NYU), the University Chaplain for NYU and an Adjunct Assistant Professor of Public Administration in the Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service. He attended Yeshivat Har Etzion from 1995-1997 before earning his B.A. in English Literature and Judaic Studies from Yeshiva College. Rabbi Sarna is a 2003 graduate of the Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary. He came to NYU in 2002 and has expanded the Bronfman Center into one of the strongest Jewish institutions for college students. Since coming to NYU, he has founded the Jewish Learning Fellowship, which offers intensive courses of study for students without yeshiva backgrounds, has worked to strengthen interfaith relationships on the NYU campus and has worked to bridge the different sects of Judaism within NYU. |
2013 Guests of Honor Heshe and Harriet Seif.
Parents of Rabbi Yehuda Seif '95, Heshe and Harriet are both long-time Etzion Foundation board members and supporters of the Yeshiva and Migdal Oz. They were instrumental in the establishment of the Migdal Oz Advanced Scholars Program in Talmud and Halacha. “The participants are chosen for their leadership potential and the program is providing them with advanced Talmudic and halachic skills so that in the future, when they go out to teach and take leading roles in their communities, they will be ready and able to take full part in the Torah discourse of our generation.” |
2012 Guests of Honor Ben and Aviva Adler live in Raanana, Israel. They made aliya in the summer of 2009 from Teaneck, New Jersey with their eight children - Yoni, Elisheva, Atara, Ari, Gilad, Eitan, Rami and Meital. Their oldest son,Yoni, joined the Hesder program at Yeshivat Har Etzion and is currently serving in the infantry unit Nachal. Their oldest daughter, Elisheva, is learning at Stella K. Abraham Beit Midrash for Women at Migdal Oz.
Ben is a Managing Director at Goldman, Sachs & Co. and is the co-General Counsel for the Merchant Banking Division. Prior to joining Goldman, Ben was a corporate partner at Fried Frank. Aviva taught at Yeshiva University High School for Girls for 9 years and at The Moriah School of Englewood for 2 years. She is currently retired. For over a decade, long before their children began their learning at Gush and Migdal Oz, Ben and Aviva have supported the important work of theHar Etzion Institutions with their generosity and time. Aviva and Ben were the Etzion Annual Dinner Chairmen in 2007 and have served on numerous dinner committees. Ben and Aviva take great pride in their move to Israel and are honored to be associated with Yeshivat Har Etzion. |
Rabbi Nasanayl '92 & Tamar Braun - 2012 Rabbinic Leadership Award! Rabbi Nasanayl and Tamar Braun live in Long Branch, New Jersey with their six children, twins Avi and Tova (12), Ariel (10), Eitan (6), and twins Talia and Shai (3). Rabbi Braun studied at Yeshivat Har Etzion from 1992 to 1994. He then attended Yeshiva University, earning a BA in Economics in 1996, Rabbinic Ordination in 2000, and a Masters Degree in Jewish Education in 2003. After completing Semicha, Rabbi Braun served as a Torah Mitzion scholar, assistant Rabbi and then senior Rabbi at Lincoln Square Synagogue in Manhattan. He also served as Program Director at the Council of Orthodox Jewish Congregations, and taught Jewish Studies to Junior high school students. In addition, he spent time as an adult education teacher in Capetown, South Africa.
Since August 2005 Rabbi Braun has served as the senior Rabbi at Congregation Brothers of Israel in Long Branch, New Jersey. He is also a member of the area Va’ad HaKashrut – the Jersey Shore Orthodox Rabbinate (JSOR). Rabbi Braun is a founding board member of the Yeshiva at the Jersey Shore, and currently holds the positions of first vice president, Posek and major fundraiser. Rabbi Braun is married to Tamar, née Wadler. Tamar studied at Midreshet Lindenbaum before and after college and graduated from Stern College. She taught Judaic Studies at SAR Academy in Riverdale, and taught Tanach and Jewish History at Hillel High School while also giving classes at Congregation Brothers of Israel. |
Mazal tov to Andrew Borodach '87, 2012's Alumnus of the Year. Andrew Borodach lives on the Upper West Side of Manhattan. Andrew attended Yeshivat Har Etzion from 1987-1988 and from 1990-1991. Since 2011, he has been Managing Director - Global Treasury and Capital Markets at AIG, a leading international insurance organization serving customers in more than 130 countries. Prior to that, Andrew practiced as an international mergers and acquisitions attorney for more than 13 years, first at Debevoise & Plimpton LLP (including a three-year stint in London) and then at AIG (with a recent focus on its restructuring and the divestiture of its Far East Asian operations). Andrew graduated from Brown University with a BA in History and Medieval Studies and a JD from Harvard University Law School.
A long-time supporter of the Yeshiva and its programs, Andrew has served on the Board of Directors of the Etzion Foundation since 2009. Andrew has also been actively involved with The Jewish Center on the Upper West Side of Manhattan for many years, where he serves as gabbai, its Secretary and a member of its Administrative Committee. Andrew recently became engaged to Rachel Wolf, who is the Chief Operating Officer at the American Committee for Shaare Zedek Medical Center in Jerusalem. |
Mazal tov to Drs. Mort '75 and Esther Fridman, 2011's honorees at the Annual Har Etzion dinner. Drs. Fridman live in Teaneck, New Jersey and are the proud parents of Ari, Daniel, Michael and Elisheva. Mort, Ari and Daniel attended Yeshivat Har Etzion and Michael is currently learning at the Yeshiva.
Esther and Mort practice child, adolescent and adult psychiatry in Englewood, New Jersey. Esther is a member of the Yavneh Academy Board of Education and Board of Directors. Mort is a member of the Frisch School Board of Directors, Co-Chair of the Frisch Strategic Planning Committee, a former Board and Rabbinic Search Committee Member at Congregation Keter Torah, AIPAC National Council Member, Vice-President of NORPAC and a Berrie Fellow. Ari is Counsel to the House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee. Daniel is in his fourth year of Smicha at Yeshiva University, and a resident scholar at the Jewish Center on the West Side of Manhattan. Michael, a graduate of the Frisch School, is currently a talmid at Yeshivat Har Etzion and will attend Yeshiva University next year. Elisheva is an eighth grade student at Yavneh Academy. The Fridmans are very grateful to Yeshivat Har Etzion for its profound influence on their family and Klal Yisrael. |
Mazal tov to Jay and Rachel Jubas, 2011's honorees at the Annual Har Etzion dinner. Jay and Rachel live in Stamford Connecticut. Jay attended Yeshivat Har Etzion from 1980 to 1982. He is a Senior Partner at Mckinsey & Company, the international consulting firm where he specializes in the technology, media and telecommunications industries. Rachel studied in Israel at Midreshet Lindenbaum She is a psychiatrist specializing in mood and anxiety disorders and women’s’ reproductive psychiatry. Both Rachel and Jay are involved with Jewish communal institutions in Stamford. Currently, Jay is a member of the Board of Directors of Bi Cultural Day School in Stamford and is chair of its development committee. He is also a member of the strategic planning committee for Jewish Family Services of Stamford. Rachel is chairperson of the Congregation Agudath Sholom mikvah committee, on the board of directors of the UJF of Greater Stamford and a member of the SAR High School parent liaison committee.
Jay and Rachel have four children. Ben attended Yeshivat Har Etzion from 2008 – 2010 and is currently a freshman at Princeton University. Talia, a senior at SAR High School, plans on studying at the Stella K Abraham Beit Midrash for Women at Migdal Oz in the fall. Daniel and Maya are students at BiCultural Day School. |
Mazal tov to Rabbi Seth and Leba Grauer, honorees at the 2010 Har Etzion dinner. Rabbi Seth Grauer attended Yeshivat Har Etzion from 1996 to 1998, received his Semicha from RIETS, has a JD from Fordham Law School and is currently working on his dissertation towards the completion of his doctorate in education from the Azrieli Graduate School of Jewish Education and Administration. Rabbi Grauer has devoted countless hours to Yeshivat Har Etzion originally serving as their director of alumni affairs and now as a member of the board of the Etzion Foundation. Rabbi Grauer works as the Assistant Rabbi at the 5th Avenue Synagogue in Manhattan and is a veteran faculty member of the Ramaz Upper School.
Leba learned in Israel at Michlelet Mevaseret Yerushalayim, graduated from the Sy Syms School of Business at Stern College and is currently working towards her Masters in Social Work from the Wurzweiler School of Social Work at Yeshiva University. In addition to caring for their children, Leba works part time at the Hunter College Hillel. Rabbi Seth and Leba Grauer live in Manhattan with their three children, Yonina (6) Yosef (4) and Gila (2). |
Mazal tov to David '73 and Faye Landes, honorees at the 2010 Har Etzion dinner. David and Faye live in New York City and Teaneck, New Jersey. David attended Yeshivat Har Etzion in 1973-74 and 1977-78, and served as Chairman of the Board of the Etzion Foundation from 2001 through 2007. David is a private investor and recently received a Ph.D. in Anthropology from Princeton University. Faye is a securities analyst and a managing director at Consumer Edge Research, an independent equity research firm.
Faye and David have four children. Chana, an editor at Random House, was among the first American students to attend the Stella K. Abraham Beit Midrash for Women at Migdal Oz in 2001-2002. Yitz is presently learning at Yeshivat Har Etzion. Previously, he was a student at the hesder yeshiva in Otniel, and served as a tank commander in the IDF. Matanya is a student at SAR High School, and Adir is a student at SAR Academy. |
Mazal tov to Rabbi Marc '88 and Adeena Penner, upon receiving the Har Etzion Rabbinic Leadership Award in 2009.
Rabbi Marc Penner (’88-’90) is the Rabbi of the Young Israel of Holliswood in Queens, NY and founder of the Ateret Seminary for Women on the Queens College Campus. Rabbi Penner serves as Director of Advisement for the Center for the Jewish Future and the Director of Professional Rabbinics for RIETS. His wife Adeena, who received the award together with him, works as an occupational therapist and kallah instructor, cares for their five children and is a devoted rebbetzin. |
Mazal tov to Rav Binyamin Tabory, upon receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award in 2009.
A Ram at the Yeshiva since 1979, Rav Tabory received Semicha and a Master’s degree in Jewish Philosophy from Yeshiva University. He previously served as Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshivat Bnei Akiva High School in Toronto and was the founding Rosh Kollel of the Torah Mitzion Kollel in Cleveland, the first Zionist Kollel in North America. He was also the Director of Advanced Talmud Program at Stern College and served as the Rav of the Alei Etzion Congregation and Rabbinic Scholar in Residence at the London School of Jewish Studies. Rav Tabory has authored shiurim for the Israel Koschitzky Virtual Beit Midrash and gives a weekly shiur on KMTT, the Yeshiva’s Torah podcast. |
Mazal tov to Steven and Adina Fredman, Guests of Honor at the Etzion Foundation dinner 2009.
Steven and Adina Fredman of Scarsdale and Jerusalem, have a longstanding connection to Yeshivat Har Etzion. Their two sons, Asher ‘02 and Elisha ‘04, both studied at Yeshivat Har Etzion and Asher returned to Israel in the middle of his studies at Harvard University in order to do army service within the framework of the Yeshiva. Rav Gigi officiated at Elisha’s wedding and Rav Amital officiated at Asher‘s. Asher made aliya in June 2008 and is continuing his studies in the kollel at Yeshivat Har Etzion. |