SINAI Schools will hold its Annual Benefit Dinner on Sunday, February 22 at 4:45 PM at the Marriott Glenpointe Hotel in Teaneck.
SINAI, which operates inclusive special education schools across New York and New Jersey, provides outstanding Jewish and secular education to children with a wide range of developmental, intellectual, and complex learning disabilities. SINAI undertakes extraordinary costs in order to meet the unique needs of each of our students, and the generosity of our donors helps us ensure that financial difficulties don’t stand in the way of a SINAI education.
The honorees for this year’s dinner are:
- Yakov Karasick of Teaneck
- Elizabeth Kratz of Bergenfield
- Ron and Diane Strobel of Englewood.
Yakov Karasick grew up with SINAI, and SINAI grew up with Yakov. As part of the first cohort of SINAI students, Yakov helped teach the community what true inclusivity means through his natural warmth and exuberant personality. From his early days as a student through to his adulthood, Yakov has served as an ambassador for SINAI for more than 40 years. He is an active member of Teaneck’s Congregation Beth Aaron, where he is known for his ever-present smile and his sharp sense of humor. Thousands of students at Yavneh Academy have gotten to know Yakov as he has worked there for almost two decades. Yakov also worked at Ma’adan, Holy Name Medical Center, and Lazy Bean Cafe.
Elizabeth Kratz is editor-in-chief and associate publisher at The Jewish Link. Through her eloquent writing, thousands of people have gained a deep understanding of the transformative power of SINAI for students and their families, as well as for the broader Jewish community. She and her husband, Alexander, who passed away tragically last February, are longtime supporters of SINAI. In honor of Alexander, who was a gifted physician who held education, especially Yeshiva education in very high regard, Elizabeth has established The Dr. Alexander Kratz z”l Memorial Scholarship Fund at SINAI so that more families will be able to benefit from all that SINAI has to offer.
Ron and Diane Strobel are longtime leaders in the Englewood community. Their extensive involvement with the Jewish community has included serving as founders of and in leadership roles at East Hill Synagogue, as well as leadership roles within Emunah, Israel Bonds, the Jewish Federation of Northern NJ, and more. They have also been involved in community affairs for many years, including Diane’s service as an elected official on the Democratic Committee. As a SINAI Vocational Partner, Ron, a cardiologist who has been in practice in Englewood for 35 years, helps SINAI students become productive members of the workforce as they learn communication and troubleshooting skills and gain independence.
The premiere of SINAI’s newest documentary is always a highlight of the dinner. This year, we will be premiering “Eli” the story of a child with a huge personality and complex challenges and his parents, Dina and Leo Herskovich.
Ezra Grauberd will be this year’s Alumni Speaker.
For donations, information, or reservations, visit www.sinaidinner.org, email giving@sinaischools.org or call 201-833-1134 x106.
View this article in The Jewish Link here.
View this article in the Jewish Standard here.