"Ve'eleh hamishpatim asher tasim lifneihem." "These are the laws that you shall place before them." Rav Simcha Bunim of Pshischa, in commenting on this phrase, explains that the laws in Parshat Mishpatim focus on "bein adam lechaveiro," laws governing how we treat each other in society. The Torah is asking us to ensure that the laws are always "placed" before us. When something is placed before you it becomes a priority. So too, the laws of the Torah that govern our interactions with others must be a priority for us.
Steven and Debbie Siegler personify this message. They feel a deep responsibility to their community. They are leaders and manage to find time to get involved and help out in all our aspects of our school, always with an air of generosity and kindness. Whether working behind the scenes, playing a leadership role in MAP, hosting our shlichim, or being a buddy family, which they were to my family when we arrived last year, there is no job too big or too small for the Sieglers. They are role models to all of us.
Lindsay and Daniel Setton are selfless in their devotion to our school. They represent the strong lay leadership of our younger families who have already taken on significant roles at the school. Lindsay is the volunteer par excellence. One is hard pressed to find individuals with more energy than Lindsay. Daniel has been instrumental in helping us develop our Sefardic program, and is a regular at our Sefardic minyan. They are always looking to help us make Moriah be the best place it can be. Their first question is always how they can help, and always with a smile.
Barbara Rotenberg and Toby Eizik both represent the best of Moriah. They are both kind and caring individuals, adored by all, who are incredibly selfless, hard workers, and always looking out for others. As senior members of our staff, they provide guidance and direction to other faculty on a regular basis, always with a sense of humility. The fondness which all the students show for both of them is a testament to their character. Barbara is involved in every aspect of the middle school, working incredibly hard to ensure the strength and success of our program. Her experience, professionalism and talent are one of the main reasons that the Middle School is so successful. Nurse Toby is incredibly devoted to every single individual in our school, whether student, faculty or visitor. Her positive energy is contagious and her level of expertise allows everyone in the building to feel comfortable that we are in good hands.
I have known Rabbi Goldin for many years and have watched how he has lead one of the most important and distinguished communities in America to even greater heights. He has always been committed and devoted to Moriah, a school that was founded by Ahavath Torah. Our students are fortunate to have such an inspiring leader and role model in our own community.
Thank you to everyone who worked so hard to ensure that this year’s dinner would be a success. Moriah is a special place. Our strength lies in the passion of our teachers, our students, our parents and all our stakeholders, who are committed to ensuring that we continue to prepare our students to thrive in the world around them, lead vibrant Jewish lives, and make a difference.
הנה מה טוב ומה נעים שבת אחים גם יחד - Hinai Ma Tov Uma Naim Shevet Achim Gam Yachad - behold, how good and how pleasing if brothers can live together in unity. While the commentaries differ on the true meaning of this phrase, the Metzudat David teaches us that David Hamelech is referring to a time when the entire Jewish Nation will be reunited in peace and Unity. After an incredibly divisive and polarizing year, it is particularly appropriate that this is the theme for this year’s Moriah annual dinner.
The Moriah School is a place for all of us to come together united in purpose. As parents, educators and community members, each of us has a vital role to play in educating the next generation. Moriah's achievements are the result of a collective effort that combines the talent and dedication of both full time faculty and lay volunteers. The Annual Dinner is our moment to thank them for their efforts to help Moriah continue striving toward excellence. There has been an abundance of accomplishments this past year, and we are exceptionally delighted to have the opportunity to recognize a number of extremely talented and committed members of the Moriah Family.
We are thrilled to honor Debbie and Steven Siegler as the guests of honor at this year’s dinner. Debbie and Steven have made supporting Moriah a central part of their daily lives. This vibrant couple has become a fixture at every school event. Debbie has served as past President of MAP and maintains an active role on a daily basis. She created the Moriah Barnes and Noble fundraiser and continues to organize the annual teacher appreciation lunch. Steven serves on the school's executive board and spearheads multiple active committees. Together they developed the well-known Moriah Kosher Klipper, and have graciously opened up their home to host our shlichot for the past three years. Debbie and Steven continue to demonstrate to their children Shira (’07), Jonah (’19), Nava (’21) and Talia (’24), what it means to be truly dedicated community leaders who have worked so hard to bring our community together.
Moriah is fortunate to have over 60 alumni who have returned to Moriah as parents. When alumni assume leadership roles in the school, they bring a special quality - a love and appreciation for the school and a kinship with their children that can only be cultivated by shared experience. It is even more extraordinary when our alumni bring in spouses that are equally dedicated to the values of the school. That is why we are excited to honor Lindsay and Daniel (’99) Setton with the Young Alumni Leadership Award. Lindsay and Daniel are parents to second generation Moriah students, Marc (’23), Denise (’25), Harrison (’27), Annie (’28) and future Moriah student Moses (’30) and have been tremendous advocates of Moriah. Daniel has launched the school's first parent/student Sephardic minyan, and maintains a role on the executive board of the Congregation Ahavath Torah’s Benaroya Sephardic Center. Lindsay has worked tirelessly on countless committees, which include heading the early childhood liaisons, leading the Moriah lifecycle committee and playing a major role in the formation of the school calendar. Together this dynamic couple also serve on the school’s Sephardic initiative.
We are presenting this year's Rabbi J. Shelley Applbaum Achievement Award to two long term members of the Moriah family,
Mrs. Toby Eizik and Mrs. Barbara Rotenberg.
Mrs. Toby Eizik, known to the students as “Nurse Toby”, has been healing Moriah students since 1989. In addition to her therapeutic skills, she sews beautiful covers for the siddurim that are handed out to the first graders every year. She has dedicated
numerous hours over the years to costuming, scenery and props in all of the schools performances.
Mrs. Barbara Rotenberg joined the Moriah staff in 1992, shortly after Nurse Toby joined. As a member of multiple departments over the years, she works closely with faculty, parents and students and plays a key role in countless activities and projects in the day to day running of the school. Among Barbara’s many talents are her outstanding editing skills, attention to detail and devotion to each and every person. These two exceptional women have played a pivotal part in the lives of our students for over 25 years.
In addition this year we are honored to pay special tribute to Rabbi Shmuel Goldin of Congregation Ahavath Torah for his many years of service both to our school and to the community at large. Rabbi Goldin epitomizes the midot and fosters the sense of unity that we strive to instill in our children. He has played a key role in assisting the Moriah leadership build a stronger and more productive bridge between the school and shul. Most recently, our 8th graders were privileged to have Rabbi Goldin teach the Names Not Numbers class. He is a master teacher, and his lessons left a lasting imprint on our students.
Special thanks to Polly Bousbib, Talia Gollender, Racheli Heumman and Emily Dauber, our Dinner Chairs; Alex Solomon, Zev Gontownik, Yaakov Ottensoser and Adam Lauer, our Annual Campaign chairs; and Rivka Gertzulin and Miriam Fox, our Journal Chairs. If you would like to join any of the dinner committees, please be in touch with our Chairs directly. We look forward to celebrating with you as a united community.
Thank you for your continued support,
Seth Gribetz, President
Evan Borenstein, Chairman
