(Courtesy of TABC) Monday evening, February 26, was a fun and meaningful night for the TABC community as almost 500 people, including parents, alumni parents, alumni, faculty and the graduating senior grade gathered together at Congregation Keter Torah in Teaneck for TABC’s 35th Annual Dinner.
This year’s dinner was unique in that, instead of honoring specific individuals, it was dedicated to celebrating three school pillars—students, alumni and faculty—that form the foundation of TABC and of which the school is exceptionally proud.
Students and faculty were celebrated in an original video production titled, “The Secret,” in which two sets of parents, Ari and Tzippy Gellman and Margi and David Saks, struggle to understand why their children, like all TABC students, choose to stay at school well past dismissal and late into the evening. The parent-actors investigate by hacking into security cameras and hiding in closets, and by the end of this creative and fun video, the answer is clear: TABC’s outstanding faculty engages with the school’s exceptional students to create an atmosphere rich in academic and co-curricular activities that inspire student participation, often well past official school hours.
Alumni were celebrated in a video that highlighted the accomplishments of TABC graduates in various fields, from community rabbis, to accountants, to physicians, attorneys and more. Two gratifying themes emerged from the interviews—that relationships with rebbeim and teachers remain strong and influential even many years post high school, and that alumni felt well-prepared for their post high school academic careers.
Both Rabbi Asher Yablok, head of school, and Rabbi Yosef Adler, Rosh Yeshiva, spoke beautifully about TABC and the three pillars of celebration. TABC Co-Presidents Chaim Book and Mark Zomick spoke about the annual campaign that is associated with the dinner. Mr. Book explained that “TABC is proud of its role as a community school and firmly believes that the TABC experience should be accessible to all wishing to attend, regardless of financial capacity; as such, all funds raised through the annual campaign will be dedicated to the Bruce Ritholtz, z”l, Scholarship Fund.” He further explained that TABC awarded over $1.3 million in scholarship funding this past year, and will award that much or more in the coming year. Mr. Zomick was proud to announce that the campaign has already raised an impressive $600,000, but reminded those in attendance that the campaign remains open through June 30. “If you haven’t yet given, there is still time, and if you have already donated, perhaps, given the intense need, consider donating a bit more.”
The formal program concluded with a high-energy video, introduced by senior Shmuel Bak, showcasing students and faculty enjoying each other and all that the school has to offer.
Like many in attendance, Pam Ennis, mother of alumnus Avi Ennis (’14), found the evening to be one of warmth, pride and excitement. “Despite the fact that our son has been out of the school for a few years, we were motivated to attend the dinner, both because we are grateful for all that TABC provided for our son, but also because we understand that TABC is a community school, and as such must be supported by the community. We were thrilled to hear about the ways in which TABC is continuing to grow, and we are proud to consider ourselves members of the TABC family.”
TABC appreciates the hard work and creativity of Dinner Chairs Nechama Saks, Yael Schulhof and Gabriella Spinowitz and their committee for planning a beautiful evening, and the TABC board and development committee for their dedicated fundraising efforts. Contributions to the Bruce Ritholtz, z”l, Scholarship Fund can be made throughout the year by visiting tabc.org/scholarshipfund.
