(Courtesy of BCHSJS) The Bergen County High School of Jewish Studies (BCHSJS), recently held its Annual Gala at Temple Israel and JCC. The event was emceed by Principal-Director Fred Nagler, and the dvar Torah was given by Rabbi Dr. Wallace Greene.

Parent Honorees were Heidi and Seth Seigel-Laddy. The Seigel-Laddys have made Jewish education and identity an important focus for their children. They have three children: Alyssa, an alumnus of BCHSJS; Kayla, a current senior at BCHSJS; and Spencer, a freshman in the school.

Debora Lesnoy was honored as BCHSJS’ Educator of the Year. Debora is currently the director of the Helen Troum Nursery School at Temple Beth Sholom in Fair Lawn and a teacher at the Fair Lawn Jewish Center.

Alla and Rabbi Dr. David Fine received the inaugural Walter Ramsfelder Exemplary Service Award. David is the rabbi at Temple Israel in Ridgewood, the president of the New Jersey Rabbinical Assembly and the BCHSJS treasurer. Alla serves on several committees at Temple Israel and is on the BCHSJS dinner committee.

The recently named Walter Ramsfelder Exemplary Service Award was begun in memory of Walter, a founder of BCHSJS who served the school in various capacities for over four decades.

The BCHSJS graduating seniors were also honored. In saluting the graduates, there was a video presentation, and the audience was addressed by one of the seniors, Kayla Seigel-Laddy.

The Bergen County High School of Jewish Studies is Bergen County’s only community Hebrew high school for teens in grades 8-12. For information about BCHSJS, call 201-488-0834 or check out our website www.bchsjs.org.