Andrea Olitzky, a clinical social worker and therapist, and Jesse Olitzky ’02, Rabbi of Congregation Beth El, are dedicated and distinguished community leaders and volunteers at Golda Och Academy and throughout our region. 
 
Andrea recently joined the Resolution Counseling Center after many years at Jewish Family Service of Greater MetroWest, where she was known professionally as a seasoned, skilled, and compassionate mental health provider. She grew up in the Boston area and graduated from Gann Academy before earning her BA from Barnard College and MSW from New York University’s Silver School of Social Work. At GOA, she has spent countless hours in leadership roles, including Chair of the Parent Ambassador Committee, Co-Chair of the B’nai Mitzvah Program, Class Parent, and Grade Captain for the Annual Fund Parents Campaign. She is also a frequent volunteer for the Parents Association’s lunch program.
 
Rabbi Olitzky, who has been named one of America’s Most Inspiring Rabbis by The Forward, graduated from the Solomon Schechter Day School of Essex and Union in 2002, prior to it becoming Golda Och Academy. He went on to earn BA degrees from Columbia University and Albert A. List College before receiving his MA and Rabbinic Ordination from the Jewish Theological Seminary. Since serving as President of United Synagogue Youth in high school, he has remained active as a volunteer-leader and currently devotes much of his spare time to GOA, Camp Ramah, the South Orange-Maplewood Interfaith Clergy Association, and the Maplewood Police Department’s Clergy Chaplaincy Program.
The Olitzkys are the proud parents of three current GOA students, Cayla ‘29, Noah ‘32, and Hannah ‘35. The family lives in South Orange, NJ, with their labradoodle Bim Bam.