The Jewish Educational Center Celebrates 75 Years at MetLife Stadium

Elizabeth—The atmosphere was electric, emotional and inspiring as a capacity crowd exceeding 600 came together at MetLife Stadium last Wednesday to celebrate 75 years of excellence at the Jewish Educational Center. The JEC, founded by the world-renowned Torah luminary, communal visionary and vigorous Jewish activist Rav Pinchas Mordechai Teitz, z”l, has grown from an inaugural class of only 12 students to a flourishing school of three divisions—the Yeshiva of Elizabeth, Rav Teitz Mesivta Academy and Bruriah High School—that collectively hold close to 900 students today.

Attendees experienced everything from nostalgia at the poignant historical pieces featured, to excitement at the sheer and vibrant positive momentum that coursed through the evening, to even feelings of awe upon witnessing the manner in which JEC students today are empowered to achieve outstanding success—academically, spiritually, socially and personally. Parents, faculty, students, supporters and alumni spanning the decades came out to pay tribute to Rav Teitz and his son, the current Dean Rav Elazar Mayer Teitz, under whose tutelage the school has continued to grow and flourish, and to celebrate the decades of pioneering leadership, achievement and prominence that the institution has achieved in the State of New Jersey and beyond.

“Jewish education is really the best way to ensure a Jewish future, to make sure our children and generations to come receive Torah education,” said JEC alumnus Mark Wilf, who participated for the entire program, “and the JEC represents the best of those values. We will do whatever we can to support that the JEC remains strong and vibrant and continues to educate hundreds of Jewish young men and women. We’re very proud of our connection to the JEC and we wish it well for generations to come.”

The theme of the evening, Celebrate the Past and Embrace the Future, was woven throughout each of the presentations. Upon arrival, guests were greeted by a wall of photos—old black and whites interspersed with current—depicting the JEC’s uncompromised standards through the years of excellence in Torah and general education, staunch commitment to Israel—the land, the people and the state—and social/communal responsibility.

The evening paid tribute to the life and legacy of Rav Pinchas M. Teitz z” l, who dared to dream that a Torah community could take root in the small town of Elizabeth, NJ. Built largely upon the ashes of the Holocaust, survivors who came to the area as orphans began to rebuild, sent their children to the JEC, many on full scholarships, and many in turn, finding tremendous success as the years went by, became the eminent group known fondly as “The Builders,” who quite literally supported the development of the school as it grew to what it is today.

The evening’s Guest of Honor was Dr. Steven Singfer, the son of survivors and a distinguished alumnus from RTMA’s Class of 1973. Steve is serving his second term as President of the JEC’s Board of Trustees and is renowned for his service to the JEC and greater Jewish community.

Each year the JEC awards a “Lev Tov” recognition, and this year, Edward and Cecile Mosberg were bestowed this honor. Survivors of the Holocaust and internationally prominent philanthropists, the Mosbergs donated a Holocaust-era Torah to the RTMA division this year that they had refurbished. Over 1,000 people, including students from all three divisions, attended the momentous hachnasat sefer Torah last autumn and it was an occasion that will undoubtedly be engraved in the minds and hearts of all who attended. The Mosbergs unstinting generosity and love for the Jewish People made them the clear choice for this year’s Lev Tov award.

The final award of the evening was conferred upon the Early Childhood division’s coordinator, Morah Lisa Bond, and her faculty. Under Bond’s leadership, the EC department has grown to capacity with a waiting list for the past several years. Her staff eagerly adapts to new technology and programs and regularly takes advantage of a plethora of professional-development opportunities offered by the JEC to enhance their educational toolkits and bring the latest 21st-century advancements into their classrooms.

The evening’s MC, Brian Ness summed up the evening perfectly. “Because of your commitment, your efforts and our dedication,” he exclaimed, “this has been the most successful JEC dinner in history! Together, we filled the room beyond capacity and raised more money than ever before. We welcomed a record number of alumni, parents and faculty, and current students were vying for the opportunity to attend and proudly represent their JEC.

“It was a night to remember the vision, legacy and dreams of our founder Rav Pinchas M. Teitz z”l, and for us to begin to dream together. A dream of a future where every child exceeds his or her greatest potential. A future where a life of learning extends beyond the classroom. A future where Judaism thrives because Jewish education is a lifelong pursuit. A future that is strong. A future that is innovative. A future that is bright. A future where together, we never stop daring to dream. Together, we will be’ezrat Hashem make our dreams a reality. Thank you for being an active part of this dream.”