Torah Academy of Bergen County (TABC) will hold its 33rd annual dinner on Thursday, January 7, at Congregation Keter Torah in Teaneck. Guests of Honor Renée and Chaim Fromowitz, of Teaneck, have both contributed their time, talents and energies to TABC for many years. Chaim has served as treasurer on the TABC executive board since 2013 and was an integral member of the team, negotiating the financing package for the new building expansion. Under his astute management, the school’s financial infrastructure, budget and spending have been planned and overseen thoughtfully and judiciously.

Chaim has been with the Leumi Group for many years and is currently executive vice president and head of the private banking division. Nachum Barishansky, board president, commented, “Chaim’s quiet, unassuming manner hides the profound responsibilities he bears so well on behalf of the TABC family. He and Renée always have the best interests of TABC in mind no matter what they are involved in.” Renée volunteers frequently for the TABC parents association (TAPA), has spoken at the TABC open house and has co-chaired the annual dinner. Renée is currently working on a new TABC voter registration drive, aimed at having graduates vote in U.S. elections during their year in Israel post high school. Renée and Chaim are the proud parents of TABC alumnus, Noam ’14, TABC student, Ariel ’16, and Rachel and Michal who are both living in Israel.

TABC’s Community Service Presentation will be made to Staci and Nachum Segal. As proud TABC parents since 2006, Staci and Nachum have been champions for TABC, its excellent educational program and its warm embrace of “out-of-town” students. Staci, a gifted teacher, has served on the TABC board and its education committee. She has also been an active member of the boards of the Bikur Cholim of the Lower East Side and the Mizrachi Synagogue. Nachum, the voice of Jewish radio programming, has spoken at the TABC open house and has broadcast on several occasions from the school. Staci and Nachum have made Jewish communal service an integral part of their lives. The Segals live on the Lower East Side of Manhattan with their six children, three of whom—Binyamin ’10, Yehoshua ’16 and Yosef ’16—enjoyed the benefits of a TABC education. “The Segals have always been strong supporters of TABC and the fact that they travel in from the Lower East Side every day is a testament to their deep love and connection to our school,” commented Rabbi Josh Kahn, Associate Principal of Judaic Studies. He continued, “Their boys are lively and fun, involved in so many activities, and really enhance the TABC experience for themselves and their fellow students.”

Rabbi Sariel Malitzky will be receiving the school’s Faculty Recognition Award. Rabbi Malitzky has been a rebbe at TABC for nine years and teaches all grades and tracks. Rabbi Malitzky is the head of the matmidim program, an optional shiur which prepares the talmidim to excel at top yeshivot in Israel. He launched and oversees the “Taking Our Communities by Storm” program which brings TABC students and rebbeim into its students’ communities for Shabbatonim with dynamic programming. As assistant director of recruitment, Rabbi Malitzky is deeply involved in the school’s recruitment efforts, personally connecting with prospective students and their families. With his dedication, warmth and approachability, Rabbi Malitzky develops close relationships with many students, hosting them in his home for Sukkot and Chanukah Mesibot. He and his wife Shoshi, a pediatrician, live in Passaic, NJ, with their five children. Elizabeth Naor, TABC dinner chair, remarked, “I have worked with Rabbi Malitzky on so many projects for TABC. What always strikes me is his true love and passion for the students, whether it is during recruitment, in his shiurim, on the court or in his home—he’s always thinking about the boys and how he can help enhance their learning, their growth and development and their overall high school experience.”

Yehuda Shmidman will be receiving the Alumni Tribute Award. Yehuda graduated from TABC in 1999. He then continued his learning at Yeshivat Har Etzion and graduated with a BA magna cum laude in political science from YU. Yehuda currently serves as CEO and member of the board at Sequential Brands Group, one of the fastest growing brand management companies in the world. He also serves on the board of the YMA Fashion Scholarship Fund, a non-profit organization dedicated to advancing the fashion industry. He was recently named to the “40 Under 40” list by Fortune Magazine, a recognition he previously received from Crain’s New York. Yehuda and his wife, Rebecca, live in Riverdale with their three children. Rabbi Yosef Adler, TABC Rosh HaYeshiva, remarked, “To present Yehuda with the Alumni Tribute Award is the ultimate nachat. We were proud of him as a talmid at TABC and we are proud of the successful businessman he has become, with a deep love of Torah, commitment to strong family values and tremendous personal integrity.”

Donations to the TABC annual dinner provide the school with the critical funds necessary to fulfill its mission of Torah and academic excellence by instilling a love for learning and fostering personal development. With over $1 million in scholarships awarded each year, donations to TABC ensure that these opportunities are accessible to all. To find out more information about the TABC dinner, please visit www.tabc.org/dinner or contact Sharon Rifkind at [email protected].