Last Thursday evening, February 27, close to 500 women and girls joined together for an evening of unity and tefillah at the Rosenbaum Yeshiva of North Jersey (RYNJ) challah bake, dedicated to the memory of beloved teacher Naomi Rosen, z”l, who passed away last month. The sold-out event was organized by the PTA and emceed by Shimi Adar.
PTA Presidents Rina Mogul and Dena Rosenberg were overjoyed to see the room overflowing with so many people eager to participate in an evening of fun and also to memorialize a true educator and role model at RYNJ.
“It was beautiful to see all the girls, mothers, grandmothers and teachers come together to spend time and participate in this special mitzvah,” said Mogul. “Watching Shimi Adar work her magic and inspire all of us to daven, dance and be unified was truly inspirational,” added Rosenberg.
Ilana Kaplan and Rachel Mandel, co-chairs of the challah bake, worked tirelessly along with their dedicated committee to transform the gym, arranging rows of decorated tables with stations for each person to prepare their individual dough.
Students paid tribute to Rosen who clearly touched so many lives throughout her years at RYNJ. “From my first days in Mrs. Rosen’s class as a scared little sixth grader, I remember how organized and prepared she made me feel,” said Ayelet Eisikovitz, student council president. “Mrs. Rosen gave us the skills to be independent learners and thinkers, and anyone who graduates RYNJ with excellent note-taking skills has Mrs. Rosen to thank.”
Seventh-grade student Kayla Mandel likened Rosen to Sarah Imeinu, suggesting Rosen’s classroom was very much like Sarah’s tent, always open and welcoming. “Mrs. Rosen empowered us to feel confident and keep trying, never give up and to always be the best we can be,” said Kayla. She added that just like Sarah Imeinu continues to be a role model for all Jewish women, Mrs. Rosen will always be a role model to all of her students.
Rosen had a personal relationship with each of her students and offered her time on issues both related and unrelated to material she taught. Her students and colleagues remember her as someone who was always there to listen and offer invaluable advice.
“Mrs. Rosen was a true professional who was organized, structured, a fair disciplinarian and loved by her students,” said RYNJ librarian Esther Schnaidman. “She was a master teacher who achieved that fine balance of how to teach and reach her students at any age.” Rosen was gracious with her time and eager to volunteer at the library, added Schnaidman, who considered Rosen an outstanding colleague and a true friend.
Among those in attendance were Rosen’s mother, sister and two daughters, who were touched by the overwhelming amount of women who came out to remember her.
As three generations of women joined together to recite Tehillim and perform a mitzvah that we are taught has special significance for the Jewish woman, there was a palpable sense of unity that filled the room. From young children to grandmothers, it was obvious that everyone felt excited to make challah, proving that one is never too young or too old to partake in a mitzvah.
Miriam Sabo, RYNJ parent and dedicated PTA member, performed the mitzvah of hafrashat challah followed by a moment of silence, allowing everyone in the room to silently express their personal tefillot.
While the evening began on a serious note, the dynamic Shimi Adar quickly shifted the mood and got the crowd on their feet for dancing and singing.
“On behalf of myself and Dena, we want to thank all of the volunteers who made the event as incredible as it was,” said Mogul. “The challah bake was truly an exceptional night that we will never forget.”
The event was made possible by the generous help of the Bram family, who donated the mixing bowls, and Grand and Essex, who provided the ingredients. Additional sponsors included Amazing Savings, Cedar Market, Glatt Express, Kindersmiles, Avi Levenbrown-Kosher Experience, Full N Free, Shira Auman Art Design, Zaidie’s Bake Shop, Nomi Rotblat and Beth Walters.
By Andrea Nissel
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