Honorees
Ellin is the Yoetzet Halacha for the Manhattan Yoetzet Initiative, which serves 13 synagogues and institutions. She counsels women in the areas of women's health and halacha and also teaches kallot. Born and raised on the Upper West Side, Ellin holds a BA in Physics from Barnard College and is a graduate of GPATS at Yeshiva University.
Jeremy is the Chief Investment Officer at Sydell Group, where he leads development and finance for the NoMad Hotels brand. In 2024, he helped lead the landmark transaction bringing NoMad into a joint venture with Hilton. Outside of work, Jeremy is an active ba'al koreh with a streak of 450+ consecutive Shabboses leining, as well as a ba'al tefilla and magid shiur. Born and raised in Memphis, he holds a BA from Columbia University and an MBA from Columbia Business School.
Ellin and Jeremy live on the Upper West Side with their three children: Ariel, Lielle, and Kineret. They are passionate believers in Gan Aliya and have become actively involved in the school's growth — speaking with prospective families, supporting admissions outreach, and advocating for the school wherever they can. They see Gan Aliya as the ideal environment for their children: a place where the Montessori approach, extraordinary teachers, and genuine warmth and love of Yiddishkeit come together to raise children who become real mensches, intellectually curious, and deeply rooted in a love of Torah, Yisrael, and Hashem.
Ilana and Moshé Ohayon were both born and raised in Morocco before making their way to New York, where they built their life, family, and careers.
Moshé arrived in New York to work in investment banking and went on to build his career in commodities trading as co-founder of TwinsBridge International. Ilana began her professional journey in finance before transitioning into the creative field, where she founded the interior design studio, EverySpace.
The Ohayons live on the Upper West Side with their five children, where their home reflects a blend of international roots, strong family values, and a deep appreciation for community. They are active members of the West Side Sephardic Synagogue, which helps maintain connection to their Moroccan Jewish heritage and customs.
Beyond tradition and community, Ilana and Moshé care deeply about providing their children with an excellent education. Four of their children have attended and graduated from Gan Aliya, for which they are profoundly grateful, and their daughter has continued on to Bnos Aliya. They deeply value the strong foundation these schools have provided—nurturing each child as an individual, cultivating their unique strengths, and offering a balanced education rooted in Torah values alongside strong general studies.
They are honored to be recognized by Gan Aliya and are grateful to be part of a community that means so much to them.
Shira Abraham is a devoted Montessori educator whose passion for early childhood education inspires her students to strive for academic excellence while developing confidence and a love of learning. Raised in Oyster Bay Cove as one of nine siblings, she developed patience, teamwork, and a natural understanding of children from an early age.
Shira graduated cum laude with a degree in Early Childhood Development, Psychology, and Counseling, and later earned Montessori certifications through the University of Hartford and the North American Montessori Center. Over the past eight years, she has built a strong reputation for thoughtful instruction, individualized learning, and helping each child reach their fullest potential.
Shira began her teaching career at Gan Aliya — the school she proudly considers her favorite and the finest Montessori environment in which she has worked. During covid, Shira moved to Miami and Dallas to be near her siblings, and worked at Montessori schools in both those locales. She was thrilled to return to Gan Aliya in 2023.
In the classroom, Shira is known for her warmth, professionalism, and unwavering commitment to academic excellence. She creates a nurturing environment where students thrive in language arts, mathematics, science, cultural studies, and social-emotional growth.