The Bergen County High School of Jewish Studies (BCHSJS) recently held its Annual Gala at the Fair Lawn Jewish Center/Congregation B’nai Israel. The event was emceed by Principal-Director Fred Nagler, and the D’var Torah was given by Rabbi Ronald Roth.

The L’Dor V’Dor Award was presented to David Goodman and Dr. Hope Schlossberg, recognizing community leaders who further Jewish continuity by actively supporting educational and social programs for Jewish teens and serving as role models for active Jewish engagement. David is a CPA and managing director of Lawrence B. Goodman & Company in Fair Lawn. He is the past president of Jewish Federation of Northern New Jersey (JFNNJ), past president of Jewish Family Service of North Jersey and the past chair of the JFNNJ Endowment Committee. He currently serves on the boards of JFNNJ and Jewish Family and Children’s Services of North Jersey. Hope is an obstetrician-gynecologist with Comprehensive Women’s Care in Englewood and has been in practice for more than 20 years. She has long supported educational and social programs within the Northern New Jersey Jewish community. She volunteers for a wide variety of activities at Solomon Schechter in New Milford. Hope also participates on the Chesed Committee at the JCC of Paramus, where the Schlossberg/Goodman family belongs.

Parent honorees were Alex and Doug Sobelman. The Sobelmans have made Jewish education and identity an important focus for their children. They have three sons: Michael, who is an alumnus of BCHSJS; Zachary, who is a current student; and David, who is a future student of BCHSJS.

Rabbi Shelley Kniaz was honored as BCHSJS’ Educator of the Year. Shelley is the director of congregational education at Temple Emanuel of the Pascack Valley where she is responsible for the religious school, adult education and family programming.

Barnett Goldman received the Exemplary Service Award for his seven years at BCHSJS. In addition to teaching, he has organized Shabbatonim, overnights, field trips and special events, as well as accompanying the Young Leadership students to Israel.

The BCHSJS graduating seniors were also honored. In saluting the graduates, there was a video presentation and the audience was addressed by two of the seniors, Camryn Bolkin and David Stack.

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 their website: www.bchsjs.org.