Schechter/Golda Och Academy Alumni Society

We love seeing how our GOA alumni parents stay connected years after their children graduate. These moms (and alum) from the Class of 2018 met up last week for a special night out!

We look forward to seeing many of our incredible parents at our Fall Sukkot Parents of Alumni Event on Wednesday, October 4th at 7 p.m. at the Lower School Campus. Alumni parents - please send us your updated email address so you can receive all the details!

We had such a great time catching up with our college alumni at our annual Alumni BBQ!🌭🍪

Mazel Tov to Andrew Wingens ‘10 on his marriage to Ilana Rayport! Andrew celebrated with many SSDS/GOA alumni including Jonathan Rabner ‘10, former student Marshall Cohen, and his brothers Jon ‘15 and David ‘19 Wingens. Mazel Tov to the entire Wingens family!

GOA Friendships are like no other! These Class of 2016 friends just vacationed in the Canadian Rockies together.

Do you have a GOA/Schechter friendship story? Please send your story/photos to [email protected]

Need a movie recommendation? Check out Shifra Zuckerman '18 starring in Her Deadly Night in Paris on Lifetime! The movie premieres on Saturday, August 19th. Congrats, Shifra!

This Mazel Tov goes all the way across the world to Mike Antiles ‘17 on his marriage to Amit Cohen in Israel! Mikey’s mom is Upper School math teacher, Janette Antiles. Mazel Tov to the entire Antiles family on this beautiful simcha!

Mazel Tov to Harris Mevorah ‘15 on his recent wedding to Dalia Gatoff! Harris is the son of Lower School faculty member, Shari Mevorah. Harris celebrated this special event with many of his lifelong GOA friends!

What do you do when your high school friend group lives all across the country? Members of the Class of 2018 met up in Colorado last week to catch up and enjoy nature. We can't wait to see them all together again at the Class of 2018 - 5 Year Reunion in NYC on September 9th!

Welcome to our newest alumni baby, Riley Ava! Sending a huge Mazel Tov to her proud parents Lindsay Aaron Frieman '08 and Eric Frieman. She is already adored by her big sister, Emma! 💕

Wishing an extra special Mazel Tov to our double alumni family Madison ‘10 and Joel Davis ‘08 on the birth of their new baby boy, Hudson Nathaniel Davis! He was born on June 20th at 4lbs and 16.75 inches. He is already extremely loved by big sister, Parker! Mazel Tov to the entire Davis family! 💙

There's nothing better than meeting up with old GOA friends when visiting Israel! 💙

Rabbi Jason Herman '95 joined 12 other Rabbis from across the country and denominations on a week-long mission to the UAE, Bahrain, and Israel. They represented the Zionist Rabbinic Coalition. In the UAE and Bahrain, they met dignitaries and leaders as they discussed the effects of the Abraham Accords. Then, in Israel, they met with members of the Knesset and several cabinet members. It is incredible to see the deep connections to Israel and Judaism that our alumni still have years after graduating.

Wonderful to see alumnus Rabbi Dr. Jason Rogoff ‘99 teaching at the Hadar Celebration in NYC this week!

We love seeing how our alumni continue to become strong Jewish leaders in the world! Shoutout to Annie Cannon '17 and Emma Weiss '17 who will be Rosh / Heads at Camp Ramah Berkshires and NYJ Camps this summer!

Mazel Tov to our incredible GOA faculty members, Danielle Rockman Greene '12 and Sam Greene on the birth of their baby girl, Mila Elizabeth/Мила Елизавета/אלישבע בתיה. Mila is already extremely loved by her big brother, Gavi! Sending a huge Mazel Tov to the entire Greene family!

Last night, GOA had their Spring Gala where they honored Mindy ’97 and Alan Schall ’92. It was so special to welcome over 30 alumni from many different grad years at this incredible event (Sorry we missed a few of you!)

Wonderful to see this beautiful alumni family today at our Gan End of Year Celebration!

Mazel Tov to Rabbi Jason Herman '95 on his marriage to Yael Merkin. Jason is the son of retired GOA Director of Athletics, Janet Rich Herman. There were many SSDS alumni in attendance including Rabbi Tracy Kaplowitz '94, Lili Kalish Gersch '95, Dr. Jacob Labendz '95, and Dr. Richard Herman, '96

Another Mazel Tov Monday! Wishing a giant Mazel Tov to Sammi Jay Title '12 on her recent marriage to Reid Title. The two met in Baltimore, Maryland, and were married at The Crystal Plaza in Livingston. Sammi's Maid of Honor was her high school classmate, Dana Brodsky '12.

Another Mazel Tov Monday! Wishing a giant Mazel Tov to Sammi Jay '12 on her recent marriage to Reid Title. The two met in Baltimore, Maryland, and were married at The Crystal Plaza in Livingston. Sammi's Maid of Honor was her high school classmate, Dana Brodsky '12. #MazelTovMonday #MazelTov

Mazel Tov to Phil Nydick '11 and his wife Dani on the birth of their new daughter, Poppy. Phil’s mom, Carol, is a current GOA Gan teacher. Mazel Tov to the entire Nydick family on this special addition!

Mazel Tov to Phil Nydick ‘11 and his wife Dani on the birth of their new daughter, Poppy. Phil’s mom, Carol, is a current GOA Gan teacher. Mazel Tov to the entire Nydick family on this special addition! #MazelTovMonday #MazelTov

It was beautiful to welcome so many alumni families at the PreK End-of-Year Celebration today!! Shabbat Shalom!

When six GOA alumni meet up on a Friday afternoon for a quick game with Coach Sandy and the varsity basketball team before Shabbat… Go RoadRunners!!

How exciting is it when the children of three friends from the Class of 1987 - Sara Bucholtz, Atara Jacobson, and Rachel Schwarz, all GOA students and alumni, pose for a photo at graduation!

How exciting is it when the children of three friends from the Class of 1987 - Sara Bucholtz, Atara Jacobson, and Rachel Schwarz, all GOA students and alumni, pose for a photo at graduation!

What’s better than a GOA reunion in Israel?! Aytan G and Noah R from the Class of 2019 recently met up in Israel when Noah was on Birthright🇮🇱

What’s better than a GOA reunion in Israel?! Aytan G and Noah R from the Class of 2019 recently met up in Israel when Noah was on Birthright🇮🇱

Mazel Tov to the GOA Class of 2023! We look forward to welcoming you all to the Alumni Society and seeing all the incredible things that you will do in the world as alumni!

It is so wonderful that our GOA alumni came to lead programming and be role models at our High School Shabbaton and our Kolot Hayam Choir Festival! Kol hakavod to Ari Bieber ’21, Michael Luriei ‘21, Maya Soudry ‘21, Kayla Blecherman‘21, Dana Halpern ‘19, Talia Feldman ‘17, Mikayla Talmud ‘17, Emily Binstein ‘17, and Hannah Sturm ‘17.

It is so wonderful that our GOA alumni came to lead programming and be role models at our High School Shabbaton and our Kolot Hayam Choir Festival! Kol hakavod to Ari Bieber ’21, Michael Lurie ‘21, Maya Soudry ‘21, Kayla Blecherman ‘21, Dana Halpern ‘19, Talia Feldman ‘17, Mikayla Talmud ‘17, Emily Binstein ‘17, and Hannah Sturm ‘17

Mazel Tov to Rachel Kramer ‘16 and Ben Plotnick on their engagement this past week. Rachel is the daughter of Marc and past President Eleanor Kramer, sister to Arielle (Kuzdral) ‘08 and Naomi (Mullen) Kramer ‘10. Rachel and Ben met at Emory University and currently reside in New York City.

Mazel Tov to Rachel Kramer ‘16 and Ben Plotnick on their engagement this past week. Rachel is the daughter of Marc and past President Eleanor Kramer, sister to Arielle (Kuzdral) ‘08 and Naomi (Mullen) Kramer ‘10. Rachel and Ben met at Emory University and currently reside in New York City. #MazelTovMonday #MazelTov

From GOA classmates to college friends! Mazel Tov to the members of the class of 2019 on their graduation from Rutgers University - Fanya Hoffman, Jamie Gutterman, Sam Lurie, Gidi Fox, Dena Feldman

From GOA classmates to college friends! Mazel Tov to the members of the class of 2019 on their graduation from Rutgers University - Fanya Hoffman, Jamie Gutterman, Sam Lurie, Gidi Fox, Dena Feldman #MazelTovMonday #MazelTov

It was so wonderful to see so many alumni and alumni faculty at today’s third grade Rosh Hodesh Celebration at the Wilf Lower School Campus! We saw Jesse Olitzky ‘02, Rena Kaufmann Abrams ‘01, Sam Freeman ‘98, Shana Rubin ‘01, Rabbi Uri Allen ‘98, Lawrence Elbaum ‘98, Noah Allen ‘02, Sarah Allen ‘95, LS Principal Carrie Siegel ‘92, Mrs. Linda Glasofer, former LS faculty, and Jane Freeman, former English Department chair and school grandparent.

It was so wonderful to see so many alumni and alumni faculty at today’s third grade Rosh Hodesh Celebration at the Wilf Lower School Campus! We saw Rabbi Jesse Olitzky ‘02, Rena Abrams, ‘01, Sam Freeman ‘98, Shana Rubin ‘01, Rabbi Uri Allen ‘98, Lawrence Elbaum ‘98, Noah Allen ‘02, Sarah Allen ‘95, LS Principal Carrie Siegel ‘92, Mrs. Linda Glasofer, former LS faculty, and Jane Freeman, former English Department chair and school grandparent.

Mazel Tov to Adam Butensky ‘08 and former student, Laura Slifer ‘11, on their recent wedding! After reuniting in Philadelphia in 2019, the former Schechter Choir alumni got married at the Crystal Plaza in Livingston on May 7th, 2023. The wedding, officiated by Cantor Lorna Wallach of Congregation B’nai Israel in Millburn, included many Schechter/GOA alums! Their wedding party included Adam’s siblings Dan ‘04 and Rachel (former student class of ‘13), Laura’s sister Pam ‘07, and Aaron Paul ‘08.

Mazel Tov to Adam Butensky ‘08 and former student, Laura Slifer ‘11, on their recent wedding! After reuniting in Philadelphia in 2019, the former Schechter Choir alumni got married at the Crystal Plaza in Livingston on May 7th, 2023. The wedding, officiated by Cantor Lorna Wallach of Congregation B’nai Israel in Millburn, included many Schechter/GOA alums! Their wedding party included Adam’s siblings Dan ‘04 and Rachel (former student class of ‘13), Laura’s sister Pam ‘07, and Aaron Paul ‘08. #mazeltovmonday #mazeltov

Please join us on Facebook Live on Saturday night, May 13th @ 10:15 pm to cheer on the Golden Ochtaves!! As part of Kolot Hayam, our high school choir will be competing against Ramaz, Yeshiva of Flatbush, Charles E Smith Jewish Day School, SAR, and Heschel! There will be many GOA alumni at Kolot Hayam this year helping facilitate this exciting weekend!

Kolot Hayam is a Jewish Day School Festival and Competition sponsored by Golda Och Academy and the generous support of the Arie and Eva Halpern z'l Fund for Jewish Heritage.

Please join us on Facebook Live on Saturday night, May 13th @ 10:15 pm to cheer on the Golden Ochtaves!! As part of Kolot Hayam, our high school choir will be competing against Ramaz, Yeshiva of Flatbush, Charles E Smith Jewish Day School, SAR, and Heschel! There will be many GOA alumni at Kolot Hayam this year helping facilitate this exciting weekend! Kolot Hayam is a Jewish Day School Festival and Competition sponsored by Golda Och Academy and the generous support of the Arie and Eva Halpern z'l Fund for Jewish Heritage.

Mazel Tov to Kim Robins ‘17 and Micah Lewis on their engagement! Micah is a doctorate student in clinical neuropsychology at Spalding University, and Kim is an Associate Manager in the Financial Products organization at the residential solar company SunPower. The two met while studying at Johns Hopkins University and now live together in Louisville, KY.

Mazel Tov to Kim Robins ‘17 and Micah Lewis on their engagement! Micah is a doctorate student in clinical neuropsychology at Spalding University, and Kim is an Associate Manager in the Financial Products organization at the residential solar company SunPower. The two met while studying at Johns Hopkins University and now live together in Louisville, KY. #mazeltov #mazeltovmonday

Mazel Tov to Andrea Eisenstein Sherman '95 on the upcoming Bar Mitzvah of her son, Joey, a current 7th grader at GOA! Joey was given an aliyah and read Torah this morning at school alongside his family. Mazel Tov to Andrea, Joey, and the rest of the Sherman family!

Mazel Tov to Jeffrey Burghauser ’98 on the release of his 5th book, The Heavy Lifting: A Boy's Guide to Writing Poetry

In The Heavy Lifting: A Boy's Guide to Writing Poetry, acclaimed poet and educator Jeffrey Burghauser not only makes a case for poetry--he makes a case for poetry's restoration to the prominence it once enjoyed among the manly arts. In short, pithy chapters, Burghauser guides the aspiring poet through the values, attitudes, and techniques required for a lifelong adventure in language. The Heavy Lifting is at once an instruction manual, a textbook, a manifesto, a piece of literary criticism, a polemic, a pep talk, and an anthology--a mélange recalling Ezra Pound's 1934 classic ABC of Reading. Find a comfortable place to sit, open this book, and meet one of our most dynamic teachers of poetry.

You can purchase Jeffrey’s book on Amazon!

https://www.amazon.com/dp/1943003785?ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_dp_5G1MDR9WA1EPDKPMPZV9

Mazel Tov to Jeffrey Burghauser ’98 on the release of his 5th book, The Heavy Lifting: A Boy's Guide to Writing Poetry. In The Heavy Lifting: A Boy's Guide to Writing Poetry, acclaimed poet and educator Jeffrey Burghauser not only makes a case for poetry--he makes a case for poetry's restoration to the prominence it once enjoyed among the manly arts. In short, pithy chapters, Burghauser guides the aspiring poet through the values, attitudes, and techniques required for a lifelong adventure in language. The Heavy Lifting is at once an instruction manual, a textbook, a manifesto, a piece of literary criticism, a polemic, a pep talk, and an anthology--a mélange recalling Ezra Pound's 1934 classic ABC of Reading. Find a comfortable place to sit, open this book, and meet one of our most dynamic teachers of poetry. You can purchase Jeffrey’s book on Amazon! #mazeltov #MazelTovMonday

Sending a huge Mazel Tov to Eli Cehelyk ‘13 and his partner of seven years, Sophie Beren, on their engagement this past week. They have known each other for 10 years and are so thrilled to celebrate this moment with the GOA community!

Sending a huge Mazel Tov to Eli Cehelyk ‘13 and his partner of seven years, Sophie Beren, on their engagement this past week. They have known each other for 10 years and are so thrilled to celebrate this moment with the GOA community! #MazelTovMonday #mazeltov

Our alumni go into the world and effect change as Jewish leaders! Mazel Tov to Sam Lurie ‘19 on being honored as a Student Rising Star at the Rutgers Hillel Gala. Sam has been a part of the Student Board at Rutgers Hillel throughout his 4 years in college, even during COVID.

Our alumni go into the world and effect change as Jewish leaders! Mazel Tov to Sam Lurie ‘19 on being honored as a Student Rising Star at the Rutgers Hillel Gala. Sam has been a part of the Student Board at Rutgers Hillel throughout his 4 years in college, even during COVID. #mazeltov #MazelTovMonday

It is very special having so many alumni families at GOA! Mazel Tov to Lawrence Elbaum ‘98 on his daughter’s 5th grade Torah reading!

Sending a giant Mazel Tov to Eli Esrig '15 and Tova Weinberger on their recent engagement!

We are so proud of the creative path that Arielle has carved out for herself after many years performing in GOA productions on the JCC stage! Arielle Klein ‘11 is currently developing and working to produce her award-winning short film script, The Red Shoe, based on her grandmother’s Holocaust story. Her goal in writing this was to shed light on the atrocities that the Jewish community faced in Bolochov in 1941 in the hopes of preventing anything like that from happening today. At a time when anti-semitism is at all an-time high, silence is not an option. Arielle reminds us that Never Again is now.

“I am alive because of her and will do everything in my power and use my art to keep future generations of Jews alive.”

Thank you Arielle for writing this very important piece of art. We can’t wait to see it come to life!

@arielle_beth Shalom

We love when our alumni share their experiences with the current GOA students! Thank you Ayala Jones '19 for visiting with our students on Neshama! Ayala is serving as a combat soldier in the Airforce, Iron Dome Unit.

So great to have Ayala Jones '19, who is serving as a combat soldier in the Airforce, Iron Dome Unit, visit Neshama earlier this week!