(Courtesy of The JEC) The Jewish Educational Center is proud to announce its annual gala dinner celebrating 77 years of excellence in Jewish education.
The JEC schools are having a banner year, with much to celebrate. The Bruriah STEM Team once again took first place in the CIJE Innovation Conference, against 1,209 students from around the country. The JEC High School’s inventions were so cutting-edge that a number of research institutions and developers began conversations with the boys about creating advanced prototypes! On the Jewish studies side, Bruriah’s Torah Bowl team defeated all comers in the Inter-Yeshiva Torah Bowl Competition.
In alumni news, Jared Rutner, JEC’13, has been named Yeshiva University Valedictorian, and Naomi Horowitz, B’13, has been named Kean University Valedictorian.
Seventy-seven years of excellence indeed!
The 77th gala will be a celebration to remember, honoring the following people:
Herman and Rosa Engel, of Elizabeth, are being honored as Grandparents of the Year for their devotion to their grandchildren, especially those graduates, current or future students of the JEC. The Engels, whose two sons are also JEC alumni, have been connected to the JEC since 1974, when they met with Rav Pinchas and Rebbetzin Bessie Teitz, zt”l, in Moscow. Their devotion to their children’s and grandchildren’s religious education knows no bounds and is a source of pride to all who know them.
Jonathan and Yael Pittinsky of Passaic, both alumni of the JEC and parents of three alumni, one current student, one incoming student and one future student, are the JEC’s Parents of the Year. The Pittinskys have been actively involved with the JEC High school and Bruriah and their children’s education for many years. They are also involved with their shul and the Passaic community, both civil and religious, taking active roles in municipal government and the shul board. They are true role models for parents everywhere.
Bryan Fox, executive vice president of the YM-YWHA of Union County, has led that institution for 32 years. The relationship between the “Green Lane Y” and the JEC is old and revered, with JEC students entertaining seniors regularly before Yamim Tovim and other occasions and other joint projects. The Y Summer Camp enrolls many of our students as campers and counselors. Our community is well served by the Y, and Bryan has been the driving force behind many school and community initiatives. We are proud to honor Bryan with the Community Service Award.
The JEC’s annual gala will be held Tuesday, May 15, at the beautiful Westmount Country Club, 728 Rifle Road, Woodland Park, New Jersey, beginning at 6:30 p.m. For reservation information or to place an ad, please visit TheJEC.org and click on the invitation icon.
