MEET OUR HONOREES
The Congregation Ahavath Torah Annual Dinner will be held on Sunday, June 16th. We are looking forward to an incredible evening as we celebrate two outstanding couples in the community:
Guests of Honor, Drorit and Michael Ratzker, Sephardic Leadership Award recipients, Renee and MB Klyman and Young Leadership Award recipients, Ashley and Raviv Gailor.
Also, we will be recognizing two young leaders from our own Youth Department for their dedication and service to the community, Emily Jacobs and Talia Katz. In addition, join us as we acknowledge members of our community who have gone above and beyond in their commitment to Am Yisrael this past year.
Please join us in wishing these individuals Mazal Tov and Mabrook for their well-deserved honor.
Drorit and Michael Ratzker
Guests of Honor
Drorit and Michael have been blessed to live in Englewood for the past 26 years where they raised their four daughters, Alex, Gabrielle, Emily and Sophia. They have been active in various communal organizations and institutions including Moriah, Chabad, Amit, Friendship Circle, Mackay and Congregation Ahavath Torah. Drorit was on the sisterhood board and chaired several CAT dinners as well as the Yom Hazikaron/Yom Haatzamut program. Michael was a board member, an officer and ultimately, served as President of CAT through the challenges of COVID. As president, Michael successfully implemented changes that continue to benefit the community. Drorit and Michael are grateful to be members of this amazing community and enjoy seeing CAT continue to grow.
Renee and MB Klyman
Sephardic Leadership Award
Renee and MB Klyman moved to Englewood when they got married in 2008 and have raised their 3 boys here. Abie (12), Izzy (9), Maurice (5) all go to BPY. MB is the proud owner of Underground Training, a personal training and fitness studio located in Tenafly, NJ. MB is a two-time Maccabiah medalist, national finalist, and NY state champion in his weight class for wrestling and is also the wrestling coach at Frisch. Renee works at Ben Porat Yosef in Paramus as the Director of Admissions.
Renee and MB both have amazing role models that highlighted the importance of giving their time back to the community. Renee began getting involved in the shul by joining the welcoming committee beginning in 2012. She has been involved in Sisterhood events, catering events, and joined the board in 2019. MB has gotten involved in many different aspects of the shul by serving on the original catering committee and the BSC rabbinical search committee. He has served 4 years on the BSC board and is completing his second term as BSC president this upcoming July in which he was president through COVID.
Ashley and Raviv Gailor
Young Leadership Award
Ashley and Raviv moved to Englewood in July of 2020. They have three children, Sienna (6), Mason (3), and Seth (2). Ashley is a Special Education Support Service Teacher and Raviv is a Real Estate Lending Broker, both working in NYC.
Ashley grew up in a traditional Persian home, while Raviv grew up in a traditional Ashkenazi home. They felt that Englewood would be the perfect place to raise their family.
In the past four years, Ashley and Raviv joined various committees and took leadership roles at CAT and Englewood Jewish Community.
Ashley is an active member of Sisterhood, organizing and helping to spearhead different programs throughout the year.
Raviv is a member of the CAT Daf Yomi chevra and is one of the founding members and Gabbai Shlishi of the Etz Chayim Minyan. Many nights you can find him working with Bergen Hatzalah. Raviv has served on the CAT Board for the past year and is regularly involved in planning events and shiurim in CAT, Etz Chayim, and the BSC.
Ashley and Raviv have also been a part of the BPY Dinner Committee, as well as taken part in Chabad of Englewood events.
Raising their family in a mixed Sephardic/Ashkenazi home, Ashley and Raviv have enjoyed the unique achdus at CAT with the most beautiful blend of Sephardic and Ashkenazi customs under one roof.
ISRAEL COMMITMENT RECOGNITION
We would like to recognize the following individuals for their commitment to Israel and their dedication to fostering a special bond with Israeli communities during current challenging and daring times.
Rabbi Willie Balk - BC Lev Echad
Aliza Black - BC Lev Echad
Evan Borenstein - CAT Israel Task Force and Netiv Ha'asara
Marcy Cohen - CAT Israel Task Force and Netiv Ha'asara
Yoni Cohen - CAT Israel Task Force and various initiatives
Dr. Chagit Hadar - BC Lev Echad
Elad Hibsher - CAT Israel Task Force and Netiv Ha'asara
Jeff Jacobs - CAT Israel Task Force and various initiatives
Jason Langer - BC Lev Echad
Daniel Malka - BC Lev Echad
Brian Nave - BC Lev Echad and various initiatives
Arielle Setton - BC Lev Echad, Kol HaNearim and various initiatives
Sandy and Alex Solomon - CAT Israel Task Force and Netiv Ha'asara
Shevy and Eddie Solomon - Netiv Ha'asara and Yatari Israel
Lara Szlamkowicz - Boots for Israel
Karen and Eddie Weiss - Netiv Ha'asara and various initiatives
CLICK HERE TO SEND A TRIBUTE TO HONOREES
CLICK HERE TO PLEDGE & RSVP FOR DINNER