(Courtesy of BPY) The Ben Porat Yosef (BPY) 18th Anniversary Scholarship Walkathon took place on Sunday, June 16, 2019, at 9:30 a.m. at Winton White Stadium in Englewood, New Jersey. The event was the culmination of BPY’s critical efforts to raise funds for the school’s scholarship fund, which enables BPY to offer an outstanding education to all students, regardless of their financial circumstances. The event drew hundreds of participants who helped raise over $126,000 for BPY scholarships. BPY Head of School Rabbi Saul Zucker commented, “The BPY Walkathon was an outstanding success, both in terms of support and ruach. It is a joy to see students, parents, faculty, administration, lay leadership, community members and friends all come together to help ensure that anyone who wants a BPY education is able to receive one. What a beautiful display of achdut!”
BPY’s annual Scholarship Walkathon is a fun family activity featuring a group walk, competitive races, relay races, giveaways, activity booths, sports crafts and games. Participants were treated to T-shirts, sunglasses and refreshments. This year’s theme was “Walking on Sunshine.” The event was organized by BPY Director of Development Gabrielle Altman and Associate Director of Development Tova Small. Walkathon Committee members included Jodi Cohen, Dana Gerschel, Cheryl and Jeremy Ginsburg, Gila Haray, Renee Klyman, Laureen Rahmani, Cori Robinson, Tamara Solomon, Daniella Spier and Ilana Tachauer. The event culminated with the presentation of prizes to the top adult race runner, Daniel Malka of Englewood, who ran a quarter mile in 1:03 minutes, and top student race runner, sixth grader Sammy Bensoussan of Englewood. Top fundraisers included Inna and Howie Siegel of Fort Lee and Elana and Yossi Cohn of Bergenfield, and fundraisers with the most sponsors were Jodi and Shaul Cohen of Englewood and the Robinson/Bellino family of Teaneck. “The Walkathon and the weeks leading up to it demonstrate the essence of BPY as students, parents, faculty and staff exhibit kindness, creativity and school spirit as we work together to support our scholarship fund. The success of the Walkathon, year after year, truly demonstrates the unique passion and commitment of the BPY community,” said BPY parent and board trustee, Cori Robinson.
BPY is strongly committed to its mission, which includes building a warm, caring and devoted community by instilling in its students the importance of chesed and mitzvot. In order to assure the success of the walkathon, BPY families, students, classes and grades work together to plan mini-fundraisers such as lemonade stands, movie nights, bake sales and class projects to raise funds for scholarships in addition to peer-to-peer fundraising. This experiential learning is a beautiful display of camaraderie, teamwork and dedication in order to assure that all students can receive a BPY education. “We are confident that our kids are getting a great Jewish education and finding a warm, inclusive community at BPY. But knowing that BPY will work with our circumstances so that we can send our kids there without too much stress or anxiety gives us incredible peace of mind, too. We’re so grateful that BPY recognizes that all children deserve a quality Jewish education and makes scholarship assistance a priority,” remarked a recipient of BPY’s tuition assistance program.
BPY extends a very special thank you to its corporate sponsors: Imagination Creations, Sterling National Bank, Carluccio, Leone, Dimon, Doyle and Sacks LLC, Five Star Caterers, Deborah Goldberg MA, OTR/L (OT For Kids, LLC), Schuster Meat Corp., Global Operations Security Services, Willis Towers Watson, Jessica Abergel JAE Real Estate, Thor Maintenance, Prime Events by Mindel C, Kaplen JCC on the Palisades, Barrington Press, Camp Kef, CMEK, Goldman Orthodontics, Grand & Essex, Inflated Creations, Judaica House, Klein Publishing Group, Inc., Lia Jay Photography, Pediatric Occupational Therapy Services (POTS), Robinson Estate Law, Starbucks, Synergy Home Care Bergen County, TADS by Community Brands, Teaneck Speech & Language Center, Underground Training, The Grove, The Jewish Standard, The Jewish Link and The Therapy Gym. For more information or to donate to BPY’s Scholarship Fund, please contact Gabrielle Altman, director of development, [email protected] or 201-845-5007 x 35.
