This year’s Spring Gala Honorees, Julie and Jonathan Schwartz, exemplify the strong Jewish values that Golda Och Academy proudly imparts to its students. They lead by example through their tireless efforts and generous philanthropy on behalf of GOA and K’lal Yisrael. 
 
The Schwartz family has been actively involved with Golda Och Academy since 1982. Jonathan’s mother, Betty Pantirer Schwartz, served as President of the Board of Trustees from 1999  to 2001.  Following in her footsteps, Jonathan is currently on the GOA Board, where he lends his professional expertise on the school’s Building Committee. He is also a trustee for the Friendship Circle-LifeTown and Congregation Etz Chaim of Livingston, and previously held leadership roles at the Jewish Federation of Greater MetroWest and the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. Professionally, Jonathan is a third-generation partner and principal of BNE Real Estate Group. 
 
Julie serves on the Women’s Philanthropy Board of the Jewish Federation of Greater MetroWest, and is a proud Lion of Judah. She is an active member of the Sisterhood of Congregation Etz Chaim, and previously served on the Board at Daughters of Israel. Julie has always been hands-on at GOA, volunteering with the Parents' Association to serve lunch in the school cafeteria, work in the library and at the annual Book Fair, and help with countless Shabbat and holiday celebrations. Julie and Jonathan hosted the GOA Major Gifts Appreciation Dinner in 2018, and were honored by The Friendship Circle in 2020. 
 
Julie and Jonathan both attended Jewish day schools: Julie at the Ramaz School in New York City and Jonathan at Solomon Schechter Day School of Essex and Union (now Golda Och Academy). The couple graduated from Muhlenberg College, which is where they met. They reside in Livingston with their three beautiful children, Mia ’25, Mason '27, and Stella ’30.