(Courtesy of SINAI Schools) SINAI Schools will hold their annual benefit dinner on Sunday, Feb. 23, at 4:45 p.m. at the Marriott Glenpointe Hotel in Teaneck. This year’s honorees are Avi and Aviva Vogel of Teaneck, Abigail Hepner Gross of Englewood, and Community Partner Award recipient Bear Givers, to be accepted by Joseph Sprung, Michele Mirman and Diane Lempert.
As president of SINAI for 10 years, Avi Vogel was instrumental in ensuring that hundreds of children were able to thrive. Under his leadership, SINAI enrollment increased by 60 % and SINAI opened two new schools in New York City, transforming the lives of more children and their families than ever before.
Avi’s wife, Aviva Vogel has made extensive contributions to SINAI over the years. In her former role as the preschool director at SINAI’s partner school, RYNJ, she became a strong advocate for SINAI, helping many families find the support they and their children need to succeed. She also mentored SINAI high school students through SINAI’s Vocational Preparedness Program and has organized SINAI fundraisers.
Abigail Hepner Gross was first introduced to SINAI when her son Judah was at SINAI at RYNJ. He moved on to and graduated from SINAI’s Maor High School before continuing his education at Rutgers University, from which he graduated with honors last year. Having experienced firsthand the transformative power of a SINAI education, Abigail joined SINAI’s senior administration as its first director of communications and served in this role until last February. Abigail raised SINAI’s profile in the community, helping to build its reputation as a global leader in Jewish special education. Upon the recent passing of her father-in-law, she and her family established The Jack Gross z”l Memorial Scholarship Fund.
Bear Givers, led by Joseph Sprung, Michele Mirman, and Diane Lempert, will receive SINAI’s Community Partner Award. Bear Givers is dedicated to bringing joy and comfort to children and their families through a variety of heartfelt initiatives. Since 2014, Bear Givers has generously sponsored SINAI’s Annual Unique Inspirations Art Show, which allows students to proudly showcase their work to family and community members, offering a sense of achievement. Additionally, SINAI students participate in Bear Givers’ Empowerment Program, which enables children with disabilities to experience the pride of giving to others.
SINAI, which operates eight inclusive special education schools across New York and New Jersey, provides outstanding Jewish and secular education to children with a wide range of developmental, intellectual and complex learning disabilities. SINAI undertakes extraordinary costs in order to meet the unique needs of each of our students, and the generosity of our donors helps us ensure that financial difficulties don’t stand in the way of a SINAI education.
For donations, information, or reservations, visit www.sinaidinner.org, email [email protected], or call 201-833-1134 x106.
