Parents of the Year
Rachel & Aaron Kopstick
Parents of the Year, Aaron and Rachel Kopstick, are no strangers to community involvement. Rachel, a star First Grade Morah at RYNJ of nearly two decades, has been an integral part of the Naaleh Parent Council - including serving as Co-President for the past two years. Without fanfare, Rachel rolls up her sleeves time and time again to support Naaleh and to help ensure student achievement and school performance by liasing between the parent body and the administration. Rachel uses her friendly and welcoming nature to help recruit families and students to Naaleh by participating in open houses and making phone calls. Aaron, the CFO of MORRE-TEC Industries, Inc., dedicated his time to strategic planning and financial analysis to ensure the growth and continued fiscal stability of Naaleh. Aaron continues to serve on Naaleh's Board of Directors and volunteers his time to advise the business office regarding financial aspects of running our now flourishing school.
Aaron and Rachel's daughter, Atara, is a senior at Naaleh, and their daughter-in-law, Sheva Kopstick, is a much-adored faculty member in the school. The Kopsticks are especially appreciative of the warm family environment Naaleh provides each of its students which, together with its strong commitment to Torah, brings out the best in each girl. The school provides opportunities for the girls to get involved in chesed and volunteering, and Naaleh's caring teachers and administrators encourage the young women to develop their strengths while simultaneously giving them the space to grow into wonderful bnos torah.
The Kopsticks live in Bergenfield and are the proud parents of Yitzy & Sheva, Ezra, Atara, Shua, and Abie. They are dedicated parents who continually volunteer their time and talents for each of the institutions of which they are members and in which their children are students - RYNJ, MTA, and Congregation Ohr HaTorah.
Naaleh High School for Girls is proud to recognize Aaron and Rachel Kopstick as Parents of Year.
Faculty Recognition
Renee Schneier
Naaleh faculty honoree, Renee Schneier, created Naaleh's Studio Art curriculum. Since its inception, the art program has grown to include four studio art class electives, an artist's Beit Midrash class, and both a fashion design and glass mosaics club. Renee focuses on piquing her students' interest in art and aesthetics while expanding their exposure to culture and Jewish history through the prism of art. She fosters a collaborative environment which encourages creativity in the classroom. Renee is currently creating a curriculum for accreditation for the Advanced Placement 2D Design Course. In addition to teaching, Renee enthusiastically lends her artistic vision to enhance school wide activities and events, including running the annual eighth grade paint night for prospective students; running an after school painting club; designing props and scenery for the Nagilah performance; designing decor for Shabbatons and the annual School Dinner, and designing and creating signage for Naaleh's participation in the Salute to Israel Parade.
Renee is involved with numerous chesed organizations. She created and runs the Teaneck Bat Mitzvah Gown Gemach out of her home, delivers packages for JFS, volunteers for the Bnei Yeshurun Chesed Committee, and is affiliated with the organization Sister to Sister.
Renee holds a joint degree in Advertising Design from Stern College and The Fashion Institute of Technology, as well as an additional degree in Textile and Surface Design from FIT. In addition to offering private art lessons, Renee taught at Magen David Yeshiva, Yachad, Lubavitch on the Palisades, and Camp Dina. Prior to teaching, Renee was a children's wear, accessories, and textile designer for a number of companies. Renee has four children, Ezra & Liat, Eitan & Jordana, Yonah, and Tsilya, and lives in Teaneck with her husband, Murray, a real estate partner at Belkin, Burden, Goldman LLP.
Naaleh High School for Girls is proud to honor Renee Schneier with the Faculty Recognition Award.
Guests of Honor
Mirlana & Aryeh Morris
Naaleh High School for Girls is delighted to pay tribute to Aryeh and Mirlana Morris. Aryeh and Mirlana are pillars of the Bergen County Jewish community who exemplify commitment to communal responsibility and volunteerism. Aryeh and Mirlana were enthusiastic supporters of the Naaleh vision long before their daughter became a student at the school. Aryeh, the Chief Financial Officer of Migdal Partners, has served on Naaleh's Board of Directors since its nascent stages and created the financial platform which allowed Naaleh to grow from an idea to realization. Using his business and financial acumen, Aryeh secured funding and managed the finances of the institution until it could operate independently. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Aryeh helped Naaleh secure government funding which ensured the school's financial security during unprecedented times. Mirlana, the Chief Operating Officer of Family of Caring Healthcare Systems supported Aryeh's endless hours invested in Naaleh's success and she volunteers at Naaleh open houses and serves as a parent advocate for recruiting.
Aryeh and Mirlana live in Bergenfield, New Jersey and are the parents of three children, Donny (Z"L), Akiva , and Gabriella. Aryeh and Mirlana's daughter is a junior at Naaleh and her favorite quality of Naaleh is the warmth exuded from Mrs. Kobre which permeates the entire school all the way through to the students.
In addition to serving on the Board at Naaleh, Aryeh has served on numerous committees at Congregation Beth Abraham in Bergenfield, New Jersey. Mirlana is a long-time member of the Chevra Kadisha, volunteered for Tomchei Shabbos, and is highly sought afterby shuls and schools as a speaker on the topic of Emunah.
In recognition of their dedication to our school, Naaleh High School for Girls is proud to recognize Aryeh and Mirlana Morris as the Guests of Honor.
Kesser Shem Tov Award
Drs. Lisa & Barry Schanzer
Kesser Shem Tov Awardees, Drs. Lisa and Barry Schanzer, are staunch supporters of Naaleh. Opening their home for Naaleh admissions parlor meetings, the Schanzers pioneered the way for Central New Jersey students to join the Naaleh family. Lisa's mesiras nefesh knows no bounds as she made the daily hour-long drive from Edison to Ridgewood so their daughter, Anna, now a senior, could attend Naaleh. Lisa's dedication continued through Anna's tenure at Naaleh as an active member of Naaleh's PTA.
As medical professionals, it is important to Lisa and Barry that their children receive a top-notch education. As Naaleh parents, the Schanzers are continually impressed with Naaleh's outstanding administration and faculty who ensure a strong academic curriculum infused with innovative programming and exciting activities. Lisa and Barry value the dynamic and incredible teachers who teach the students with passion and serve as amazing role models for them as well. Following in her parents' footsteps, Anna is dedicated to the school and has headed LIFT (the Torah l'shma club), served as a co-editor in chief of Naaleh Ascent (the school newspaper), served as a choir head for Nagliah, and serves on the Senior Yearbook Committee. Anna particularly enjoys the ruach at school Shabbatons, chagigahs, and trips.
Barry is an ophthalmologist in private practice in Edison, NJ and Lisa is a pediatrician who works part-time in private practice in Riverdale, NY and part-time as a medical consultant for the State of NJ. Lisa and Barry are parents of four children: Natan, Doni & Shira, Sophie, and Anna, and newly minted grandparents who recently welcomed their first granddaughter. Lisa and Barry live in Edison, New Jersey, and are active members of Congregation Ohr Torah and RPRY.
In recognition of their commitment, Naaleh High School for Girls is proud to bestow the Kesser Shem Tov Aware upon Drs. Lisa and Barry Schanzer.
