Gala History and Past Recipients

 

In 1988, Epstein Hillel School (then Cohen Hillel Academy) hosted its first Gala — a sold-out concert at North Shore Music Theatre featuring the incomparable Peter, Paul and Mary. The Gala was the brainchild of head of school Dr. Bennett I Solomon z"l and was designed to raise essential funds, showcase the school, and engage the entire community. Over the past 35 years, the Gala has continued to achieve these goals every year, spotlighting well-known performers, including Gregory Hines, Roberta Flack, Joel Grey, and Mandy Patinkin; theatrical performances such as Cirque du Soleil, Wicked, Jersey Boys, The Lion King, and Billy Elliot; last year's roarin' twenties-themed "Gala on the Lawn," and much more!

In 1995, the Gala added the presentation of the Dr. Bennett I. Solomon Community Leadership Award to serve as a living legacy to the school’s beloved principal and to recognize extraordinary commitment made by individuals to our school and our community. Bennett Solomon (z’’l) was a man of great vision. He cherished working with people — parents, students, faculty, administration, board members, and community leaders — challenging them to achieve their common goals. His spirit and vision live on in the work that Epstein Hillel School and the entire community continue to pursue. Epstein Hillel School has been honored to recognize the community leaders listed below, who have contributed immeasurably to our school and to the entire North Shore Jewish community.

 

Past Recipients of the 

Dr. Bennett I. Solomon Community Leadership Award

1995
Anne Selby

1996
Judy and Ira (z’’l) Rosenberg

1998
Harriett and Ralph (z”l) Kaplan

2000
Lois and Steve (z’’l) Goldberg

2001
Barney (z”l) and Paul Mazonson

2002
Flori Schwartz

2003
Joan (z’’l) and Michael Finn

2004
Stan Black (z”l)
Neil Cooper (z’’l)
Arthur J. Epstein
Eunice Epstein (z”l)
Arlene Goodstein
Ira Rosenberg (z’’l)
Bert Wolf

2006
The Past Presidents of
Epstein Hillel School:
Albert Cushing (z”l)
Milton Richman (z”l)
Sidney Paley (z”l)
Aaron Bronstein (z”l)
Bonnie Shelkrot
Ernest Haas (z”l)
Stephen Alpert
Richard Mazow
Alan Sidman
Linda Greenseid
Anne Selby
Stephen Goldberg (z’’l)
Terry Garfinkle
Paul Mazonson
Bruce Haskin
Howard Abrams

2007
Dr. Bennett I. Solomon (z”l),
on the occasion of his
20th Yahrzeit

2008
Toby and Carl (z”l) Sloane

2009
Susan and Jim Rudolph

2010
Margie (z’’l) and Jerry Somers

2011
Ruthie and Robert Salter
Evelyn and Robert Rothbard
Esther and Jack (z’’l) Schlusselberg

2012
Arthur J. Epstein

2013
Karen and David Rosenberg

2014
Drs. Maura and Paul Copeland

2015
Marjorie and Dr. Randall Patkin

2016
Emy and Stan (z”l) Black
Jessica Black and James Odorczuk

2018
Sheryl Lappin-Levy and Eric Levy ‘80

2019
Esther and Arthur Goldberg

2020
Bob Goldman

2022
Michele and Brian Cohen