In February of this year, the Young Israel of East Brunswick lost a pillar of their kehilla, with the untimely passing of Elana Sasto—wife of Dr. Howard Noveck; mom of Ariella, Gaby and Talia; and proud grandmother of a growing crew.
Her loss was felt acutely at the Rabbi Pesach Raymon Yeshiva in Edison, where she and Howard were highly active for many years. One of their biggest contributions was in coordinating the school’s presence at the Celebrate Israel Parade in New York each June. She also served as PTA president, on the dinner committee and in other roles, while Howard served on the board of trustees and on the scholarship campaign.
During shiva, the family began discussing how they could honor Elana’s legacy. The idea that quickly gathered a consensus was to sponsor the yeshiva’s participation in the June 2023 Celebrate Israel parade. They quickly raised a few thousand dollars from different family members and friends, and when the day of the parade arrived, Elana’s name was on the sleeves of the T-shirts worn by all RPRY parade marchers and on the large banner carried by the yeshiva down Fifth Avenue. A large group of Howard and Elana’s extended family also marched with the school, including all three daughters and their families, Howard’s mother and Elana’s sister and brother.
For Howard, the experience was deeply touching. “It was an uplifting yet highly emotional day for my family. It would have made our Elana very happy and proud acknowledging the work she did. RPRY was a part of her legacy as PTA president and leader of the parade. If only we knew she witnessed our love and devotion toward her today, I’d feel a bit better.”
Ariella Noveck-Hillelsohn, who coordinated her family group’s participation with RPRY staff, found the day quite meaningful. “The moment we stepped foot on Fifth Avenue, I reflected back to my childhood and recalled walking the same street with my mom while I was in grade school,” she said. “Seeing the students of RPRY dance a similar dance to when I was in school and remembering my mom being just a couple feet behind us to cheer us on was always so exciting. Although my mom, of course, was not with us in person, I know her neshama was watching down on all of us walking on Fifth Avenue, and so proud to see Israel shine.
“I’m so thankful my husband, Joel, my kids, Gabe, Nessa, and Noam, my dad and family were able to walk hand-in-hand with me through those streets, singing the songs that my mother loved. May we all remember that amazing can-do attitude my mother shared with everyone lucky enough to have met her.”
By Harry Glazer
