(Courtesy of Moriah) The Moriah Annual Dinner on Motzei Shabbat, March 2 celebrated the Moriah community and its 59 years of dedicated commitment to Torat Yisrael, devotion to Medinat Yisrael and responsibility in shaping the future generations of Am Yisrael.
Nearly 600 guests, including current families and faculty as well as former faculty, grandparents, alumni, former parents and friends, joined together to celebrate the school and honor those who have made an indelible impact on the Moriah community.
The talented Moriah choir performed a medley of Hebrew songs, culminating in a powerful rendition of Eyal Golan’s “Am Yisrael Chai.” The students sang on stage accompanied by a video featuring all Moriah students, from toddlers to eighth graders, exhibiting their commitment to, and love of Israel, through ongoing tefillot and countless acts of tzedakah and chesed these past few months.
Moriah was proud to honor Lynne (‘94) and Aaron Yunis, recognizing their selfless commitment to the school. As Moriah parents for 14 years, Lynne and Aaron have been dedicated to Moriah both individually and as a couple. Aaron has served on the board of trustees since 2013, as the head of the finance committee, on the executive board from 2015-2020, as the president of the board from 2017-2019, and is currently the co-chair of the board of overseers. Lynne has served as a co-chair of the annual dinner committee for many years, on numerous MAP committees and mentored students in the “Names, Not Numbers(c)” program. Together, Lynne and Aaron have also co-chaired the Annual Summer Outing. Lynne and Aaron are second generation Moriah volunteers as Lynne’s parents, Barbara and Ephraim Weinstein, were early devoted founders and supporters of our school, honored at the annual dinner nearly 40 years ago. They are proud parents of Anna (Moriah ‘20), Jack (Moriah ‘22), Charles (eighth grade) and James (third grade).
As the recipients of the Shelly J. Applbaum z”l Faculty Service Award, both Mrs. Miriam Gartenberg and Morah Gila Solomon were celebrated for their many years teaching at Moriah.
Miriam Gartenberg is not just an integral member of the Moriah faculty but she is also a proud parent of four Moriah alumni! Just over 30 years ago, Mrs. Gartenberg began as a first grade teacher, nurturing students as they transitioned from early childhood and creating a warm, comfortable environment for these early learners. After a brief move to California, Mrs. Gartenberg returned to Moriah as part of the second grade team, where she remained. Mrs. Gartenberg values collaborating with colleagues and encourages her students to do the same by enhancing their learning in cooperative groups. The opportunity to mentor new teachers is one of the highlights of her week. The unique warmth and connection of the Moriah faculty has created lifelong, supportive friendships, both personally and professionally, for her. Moriah is grateful that Mrs. Gartenberg has devoted her career to Moriah while working tirelessly for their students.
Moriah students have been the lucky recipients of Gila Solomon’s teaching for over 25 years. Morah Gila started at Moriah teaching second grade and then fourth grade. For the past 18 years, Morah Gila has been teaching Middle School students Limudei Kodesh. In addition to the exceptional quality of her classroom instruction and care for her students, Morah Gila has served on various liaison committees, and also appreciates the opportunity to work with parents, teachers and administrators. She feels privileged to collaborate with so many of the people who make Moriah the special place that it is.
Moriah was also proud to recognize its shlichim, Yonit and Rav Adiel Mhazri, who joined Moriah in September of 2022, with the mission of inspiring its students and families with a love of the language, land, people, Torah and State of Israel. In the short time that they have been there they have accomplished all this and much more. They have become a beloved part of the school community and have forged deep connections with so many. Their efforts have helped move the Hebrew language program forward in significant ways.
The Moriah dinner is the highlight of the school’s annual campaign and the largest fundraiser for the school. Moriah wishes to express its gratitude to those who chose to prioritize Moriah in their tzedaka, helping the school raise $1.26 million to support the Allan Stern Memorial Scholarship Fund and help fulfill the school’s mission to deliver an academic program of the highest caliber while instilling a sense of commitment to Torat Yisrael, Am Yisrael and Medinat Yisrael in every one of of its students.
