Leora and Shmuel Babich
YOUNG LEADERSHIP AWARD
Since moving to Springfield twelve years ago, Shmuel and Leora Babich have made a lasting impact on the community with their warmth, energy, and commitment.
Shmuel, a Brooklyn native, attended Yeshiva Derech Hatorah and DRS before spending a year at Reishit Yerushalayim, where his love for Torah deepened. He earned an Accounting degree from Yeshiva University and currently serves as the Controller at Day Pitney LLP.
Leora, raised in Elberon, NJ, attended Hillel Yeshiva before spending a transformative year in Israel at Midreshet Moriah. She studied Speech Pathology and Audiology at Stern College and earned a dual Master’s degree in Special Education and General Education from Bank Street College of Education. Professionally, Leora serves as the Head of Student Services in the Middle School of Joseph Kushner Hebrew Academy, where she has worked for twelve years. Additionally, she has spent the past six summers as a division head at Camp Mesorah.
The two met through a mutual friend and married in November 2008, settling in Teaneck. After hearing Rabbi Chaim Marcus speak about Springfield’s small-town charm, Shmuel and Leora visited twice, and in 2012, made the move to Golf Oval.
In Springfield, they have grown and contributed spiritually and personally, regularly attending shiurim and undertaking leadership roles on several committees, including Membership, Youth, and Mikvah. Together, they produce beloved events like Mystery Shabbos and the annual Shul BBQ.
Shmuel and Leora are the proud parents of four daughters: Hannah (14), Reina (11), Daphna (9), and Nahva (6). They are grateful that everyone in Shul knows their names and treats them like family.
Together, they express their heartfelt thanks to Rav Chaim and Lea Marcus for inspiring them to strive for personal growth and more joyful lives. They pray their time in Springfield will always feel as meaningful as their year in Israel and are deeply appreciative of this recognition.