(Courtesy of Teach NJ) The New Jersey Jewish community will gather to thank elected officials who support state funding of nonpublic schools at the Teach NJ annual dinner on Tuesday, May 16, at 7 p.m., at Congregation Ahavath Torah in Englewood. The program also will honor six of Teach NJ’s biggest champions and supporters who advocate tirelessly on behalf of our community.
Since 2016, Teach NJ’s advocacy has helped lead the fight for the state to invest more in nonpublic-school students and schools. This year, Jewish day schools and yeshivas across the state are benefitting from the increased funding of nonpublic schools valued at more than $141 million. More than 150,000 children in New Jersey attend nonpublic schools, but those schools receive less than 1% of the state’s education dollars
The annual dinner is more than a celebration; it sets the stage for expanding its advocacy for greater investments in schools. Just a few weeks ago, Teach NJ and Jewish day school leadership throughout the state announced a major voting initiative to urge all members of the community to register and vote in the June 6 primaries and November general election in order to set the stage for more transformative funding that would translate to $8,000 per child. Teach NJ’s efforts have already resulted in millions of dollars to our schools, and a tax credit scholarship program in New Jersey has the potential to impact families unlike ever before.
“In 2015, the initial hope was to bring in funding for Jewish education that could create even more dynamic, more affordable and more accessible schools for our community,” Sam Moed recalled. “We started small, but we dreamed big. When I look at where we are today, some of those big dreams have come true and some of the even bigger dreams are right on the horizon. With broad community support, we can make that happen.” In appreciation of their dedication as volunteers and generosity as donors, Teach NJ will honor Danielle and Joe Cohen, Leslie and Joshua Ostrin and Rebecca and Abe Sutton, who have shown exemplary dedication to Teach NJ and have inspired others in their community and schools to join the cause.
Danielle and Joe first met as kindergarten classmates at ASHAR. After they got married, they moved to Englewood and have lived there since 2015. Danielle, a former trauma and ER nurse, now focuses on raising their four children, while Joe, chief revenue officer at CIAL Dun and Bradstreet, drives commercial data sales across Israel and Latin America. Committed to fostering inclusive communities, Joe serves on Congregation Ahavath Torah’s executive committee, and Danielle assists with shul events and sisterhood fundraisers. Joe and Danielle’s enthusiasm for Teach NJ’s mission reflects their conviction that accessible Jewish education is the cornerstone of thriving Jewish communities. “Our principals and our teachers work tirelessly to provide our children with the best education, and we want to do what we can to make it less cost prohibitive,” Joe remarked. “The work that Teach NJ does will change the face of Jewish education. Teach NJ is working both to alleviate some of that financial burden on the parents while at the same time supporting our schools—it’s a win-win.”
Leslie and Josh Ostrin have been active members of the Highland Park community for over 25 years. Leslie has been a proud member of the Teach NJ executive committee since the organization’s inception in 2015. She has served on the board of governors of Rabbi Pesach Raymon Yeshiva
for over 15 years, serving on the executive committee and holding the position of president of the school from 2014 to 2018. She is a current board member for Ma’ayanot Yeshiva High School for Girls. Josh is a passionate community leader, serving on the board of Congregation Ahavas Achim for over 20 years, as house VP, membership VP and most recently leading the charge as president for four years. “In many organizations, you write a check, and you feel good about it,” Leslie said. “With Teach NJ, it’s an investment—a donation of $100 is multiplied exponentially for all of our schools. But it’s not just about writing a check. This organization needs our community to roll up its sleeves and get involved to help move the needle. For the tax credit scholarship program to pass, we’re going to need all hands on deck.”Abe and Rebecca Sutton live in Bergenfield with their four children, three of whom attend Yeshivat Noam. Rebecca is a genetic counselor and serves on the Teach NJ parent awareness committee at Yeshivat Noam. She is currently working on creating a yeshiva-based inclusion program for children who struggle with behavioral challenges. Abe is corporate counsel for Validity Finance and is a Teach NJ ambassador network member. Rebecca and Abe strive to enhance accessibility to Jewish education in their community. As parents who care deeply about their children’s education, Abe and Rebecca noted that “Teach is a driving force in making our schools safer and more affordable. It is imperative that our community engages in the legislative process and that our schools work together and with our government officials to achieve these goals.”
Dinner co-chairs include Annie and Yale Baron, Orly and Amir Bednarsh, Jacklyn and Yoni Cohen, Paula and David Eiselt, Golda and Avi Erdfarb, Linda and Jeffrey Esses, Deena and Avi Friedman, Orit and Seth Gribetz, Marninah and Josh Hersh, Robin and Brad Klatt, Rozy and Ami Kozak, Marcia and Barry Levinson, Rachel and Azi Mandel, Lauren and Avi Maza, Shuli and Dovid Salhanick, Joy and Barry Sklar, Elana and Jonah Sobin and Debbie and Marc Turansky.
Teach NJ relies on philanthropic support to help sustain its advocacy work. Proceeds from the dinner will fund its mission to fight for nonpublic education that is secure, strong and affordable.
To register and find sponsorship opportunities, visit www.teachcoalition.org/njdinner by May 10. For more information, contact Maya Joyandeh at
[email protected].
