I’ve been privileged to be involved in capital campaigns for countless organizations in Bergen County, fundraising for many important and meaningful causes. But nothing prepared me for the emotions I have felt leading TABC’s Building our Future capital campaign which will be naming its new building in honor of my father, Rabbi Yosef Adler.
My father took over at Torah Academy of Bergen County in September of 1992 while I was a senior in MTA. My brother was switched to TABC and, if I recall correctly, was one of 40 total students in the school during that initial year. (With a hockey championship on the horizon, I was a Lion at the time so I politely declined the offer, but I have since “converted” and am now the proud parent of both a TABC alum and current ninth grader as well as a huge Storm fan). I remember my father holding fundraising meetings to support a shoestring budget with a vision of what TABC could become for both students and the Bergen County community at large, and I watched at a young age how a community can come together. Throughout his tenure at TABC, my father has impacted thousands of talmidim with his Torah, his commitment to Medinat Yisrael and his genuine love of teaching and shaping the lives of young adults (and of course the New York Yankees!).
His commitment certainly hasn’t been limited to TABC. My father was fond of quoting a famous line of the Rav: “I am just a melamed,” and indeed that’s who my father is at his core — a teacher. Prior to TABC, he taught at several wonderful yeshivas, always making an impact in the classroom and beyond. As great a teacher he was for high school, he was equally as proficient in teaching adults and kids of all ages in his role as the founding rabbi of Congregation Rinat Yisrael, a position he held for 43 years until his retirement a few years ago.
With SINAI School’s incredible partnership, TABC has raised an astounding $7.5 million for this exciting project with a goal of $8 million. As my campaign team has met with many families over the last 18 months, we have been truly inspired and overwhelmed by the positive and generous response we have received. We have met with current parents, alumni, alumni parents and community members. Every family has its own reason for giving; every family has its own connection to TABC or to my father. However, the common themes that have stood out in all of our discussions is what an incredible makom Torah TABC is; how TABC serves as a premier yeshiva high school; and how TABC is a hub in the greater Teaneck/Bergenfield area, where students thrive, and community comes together for davening, sports, communal programming and everything in between.
My father always taught us the responsibility we have to the next generation;how our mesorah is not one that is limited to texts and thoughts, but rather one that lives in our hearts as individuals and as a community and can only be passed on through both formal and informal education and modeling for our children. This building dedication is so meaningful to me and my family. I know how proud my father is of where TABC is today, as his dream and vision of 1992 has become a reality many times over in 2025. I invite you to join us in our crowdfunding campaign next week to help us cross the finish line.
Please visit buildtabc.org/finishline to be a part of a very special fundraising opportunity. On behalf of my father, my mother and my siblings we thank you and hope that all of our collective tefillos are answered l’tova.
