It is a profound honor to be recognized by a school and community that mean so much to me and to my family. Atlanta Jewish Academy represents far more than an outstanding educational institution—it is a place where Jewish identity, character, and intellectual growth are nurtured together, shaping students for lives of purpose and meaning.
I often reflect on how fortunate children are to attend AJA, just as three of our own grandchildren have. From the moment they walk through the doors, students are surrounded by an environment that allows them to feel comfortable with their Judaism and proud of their traditions, while also celebrating their academic and secular accomplishments. That balance is not accidental—it is the result of a school deeply committed to educating the whole child.
AJA is a place where students graduate not only intellectually prepared for the challenges ahead, but also grounded in Jewish values, ethics, and character. The lessons learned here extend far beyond the classroom. They shape how students see themselves, how they engage with the world, and how they carry their Jewish identity with confidence and pride.
My mother, of blessed memory, often reminded me, “Remember where you come from so you’ll know where you’re going.” That message resonates deeply when I think about AJA. The school prepares students for a modern, ever-changing world, while anchoring them firmly in our beautiful and enduring traditions. It is this combination—forward-looking and deeply rooted—that makes AJA so extraordinary.
If you feel as I do about the impact of AJA, I hope you will consider supporting the Evening of Honor, helping ensure that this special balance of tradition, character, and academic excellence continues for generations to come.
I am deeply grateful for this honor and for the opportunity to celebrate a school that continues to shape generations of thoughtful, capable, and committed Jewish leaders.
With sincere appreciation,
Shirley Brickman
We are deeply humbled to be honored by AJA as Alumni Honorees at this year’s Evening of Honor. When we reflect on what this recognition truly means, we realize that our connection to the school did not begin with our children—and it did not even begin with us. AJA and Yeshiva Atlanta have been part of our families’ stories for generations.
Dinah’s connection began long before she became a student herself. Her mother and aunt graduated from Yeshiva Atlanta, and years later her father took over the YA kitchen, feeding students daily and catering countless community celebrations through Bijan’s Catering. Dinah later graduated from Yeshiva Atlanta, as did several of her siblings, with her youngest sister graduating from AJA. Today, she remains deeply involved as an AJA board member, GOAL Chair, and Community Engagement Co-Chair. For her, AJA represents continuity—Torah learning, Modern Orthodox Jewish life, and a proud Zionistic spirit lived with warmth, belonging, and love for Am Yisrael and Medinat Yisrael.
Jonny’s story runs through those same hallways. He attended GHA from pre-K through eighth grade, graduated GHA in 2002 and Yeshiva Atlanta in 2006, and later returned to work at GHA/AJA during its transition years. Even without growing up in the heart of a Jewish neighborhood, his parents’ unwavering commitment to Torah education anchored him in halacha, tradition, and Jewish identity—values that continue to guide him today.
Much of what we work to build in the broader Jewish community traces directly back to that foundation—through leadership, community-building, and Jewish cultural experiences, many of which continue to take place at AJA.
For us, AJA is not just the school our three children attend. It is a uniquely Torah-centered, Zionistic environment where academic excellence and authentic Orthodox Jewish values go hand in hand. It is where our families found community—and where the next generation is learning to live proud, committed Jewish lives.
In honor of this recognition, we invite you to support AJA and join us at the Evening of Honor on March 18. Standing with the school helps ensure that this extraordinary place of Torah education and Jewish continuity continues to shape generations to come.
With love and gratitude,
Dinah and Jonny Farazmand
Receiving the Martha Sanders Educator of the Year Award is an incredible honor—one that feels deeply personal because AJA has been a part of my life from so many different lenses.
My journey with this community began when I was a child, attending GHA from first through eighth grade. During those formative years, my parents, Faye and Craig Lefkoff, took our family on a meaningful journey “to the derech.” They prioritized building a Jewish home rooted in mitzvot, reflection, and growth—constantly asking how we could do more and be better. GHA played a critical role in shaping my Jewish identity, grounding me in Modern Orthodox traditions and values, and introducing me to teachers and lessons that continue to guide me today.
Years later, my path led me back—this time as an educator. While working toward my master’s degree in the evenings, my nephew was enrolled in the ECD at AJA. I joined the substitute list somewhat selfishly, hoping to spend as much time with him as possible. What I found instead was a school that, while changed in many ways since my childhood, still held the same familiar heart. As a young teacher just beginning my career, AJA felt like home in a way I couldn’t fully explain.
After finding my place here as a teacher, it felt natural to envision my future as a parent at AJA as well. All three of my children began as babies in the ECD and have grown up within this community. The same grounded sense of self, social-emotional support, and balanced, values-driven environment that I experienced as a student and educator are now shaping them.
As a teacher, I strive to create an environment rooted in love, acceptance, and support. I want my students to feel seen and heard for exactly who they are, while guiding them to become kind, respectful, mensch-like people. We provide an environment with clear expectations and agreements, and with that, we watch the students grow in confidence, trust, and love for school.
As you consider supporting the Evening of Honor, I hope you will join me in strengthening the school and community that have given me so much—as a student, an educator, and a parent. Your generosity in my honor helps ensure that the values, warmth, and educational excellence that define AJA continue to shape future generations.
Thank you for this honor, for this community, and for a school that continues to shape who I am—as a Jew, an educator, a parent, and a person.
With deep gratitude,
Julie Fine