(Courtesy of Ma’ayanot) Exceptional generosity and visionary commitment to the education of today’s young women characterize the honorees at Ma’ayanot’s 28th Annual Scholarship Dinner on March 3. Ma’ayanot is excited to recognize Meital and Howie Teitelman with the Amudei Ma’ayanot Award; Beth and Victor Wittenberg with the Hakarat HaTov Award; and Chava Lerner and coach Jen Sanders with the Faculty Excellence Award.
The honorees represent the ideals of Ma’ayanot: middot, scholarship and service to the community. Each one exemplifies this year’s theme of “Ma’alin BaKodesh — Be the Light,” which reminds each person to make daily choices that illuminate their lives and the world around them.
Meital and Howie Teitelman provide steadfast support and leadership that strengthen Ma’ayanot’s foundation, including Meital’s service on the board of directors, as executive committee recording secretary, as a member of the development and dinner committees, and as co-chair the governance and nominating committee. Howie contributes as a parent council member and parent ambassador. They are also active in the leadership of Keter Torah and in local day schools, youth sports organizations and charitable organizations. They are the parents of five, including Tiferet (’24), Ahava (’27) and two future Ma’ayanot students. Ahava shared, “My parents always put others first, constantly looking for ways to help those in need and strengthen our community. Their dedication to Ma’ayanot inspires me, and they’ve taught me what it means to make a difference.”
The Teitelmans appreciate all that Ma’ayanot contributes to their family and to the community: “At Ma’ayanot every girl is seen as a world of her own, with her unique potential recognized, cultivated and elevated. It’s a safe and nurturing environment for our daughters to develop their sense of self within a strong Torah-based and loving community. The teachers and administrators know and care about each student.”
Beth and Victor Wittenberg uplift Ma’ayanot’s mission with their commitment and generosity. Victor serves on the Ma’ayanot board and on the executive committee as treasurer, chairs the finance committee, and is a member of the endowment committee. Beth has been a parent ambassador and chaired multiple events. Beth and Victor are also involved in Rinat Yisrael as well as local day schools and charity organizations. They are very appreciative of Ma’ayanot for the “excellent education and nurturing Torah environment” it has provided for their daughters Talia (’16), Amira (’19), and Nili (’25), who shared, “I am proud of my parents and the impact they have had on the greater Ma’ayanot family. Their leadership is inspiring, and they have always put the growth and well-being of the Jewish community first.”
Chava (Chaitovsky) Lerner knew she was going to pursue a career in Jewish education when she graduated Ma’ayanot in 2004. After studying at MMY and the honors program at Stern College, and earning dual master’s degrees from YU’s graduate program in advanced Talmudic studies (GPATS) and Bernard Revel Graduate School, Lerner “came home” to Ma’ayanot in 2012. She now chairs the Gemara department in addition to filling vital logistical roles in the school. Junior Atara Gamss expressed her appreciation: “Mrs. Lerner makes every lesson come alive with her incredible passion and deep knowledge. Her warmth, humor and genuine care for each student make her a mentor and a guiding inspiration.”
Classmate Estie Greenwald added, “You can feel how dedicated Mrs. Lerner is to our growth, both academically and personally. She fosters a true love for Torah, creating a classroom filled with warmth and kedusha, where we feel comfortable asking questions and engaging in debate.” Lerner reflected, “Looking back to my time as a student in Ma’ayanot, I recognize how much the school celebrated and nurtured the individual path of each student. Although the school has almost tripled in size since then, it is astounding how true we have remained to this mission.”
“Coach Jen” Sanders, as she is affectionately known to her students and athletes, earned her B.A. in psychology from the University of Florida and many certifications in her field. She works days, nights and weekends, and has guided Ma’ayanot teams to over 20 championships. Scholar-athletes Baila Gopin (’25) and Tali Zelkowitz (’25) noted respectively, “Coach Jen’s dedication to both the sports teams and gym classes is unmatched. Her leadership creates a positive, motivating environment. She is an incredible role model who cares so much about every single team and player. She leads by example, always encouraging us to put our best foot forward and showing us how we should act both on and off the court.” Coach Jen reflected, “My students have amazing energy! I enjoy helping them develop from excited, nervous ninth graders into confident 12th graders who are ready to take on the challenges of life. Sacrifice, dedication, teamwork and leadership are key middot I can help teach my students. Colleagues and students make every day at Ma’ayanot a pleasure. Go Rapids!!”
Ma’ayanot allocates close to $2 million annually for scholarships, and every gift to the scholarship campaign ensures that Ma’ayanot’s outstanding education remains available to the young women of the community. To help Ma’ayanot “Be the Light,” visit www.maayanot.org/dinner.
