Lighting the Way, Leaving a Legacy

This spring, Gottesman RTW Academy will host a very special celebration. On Sunday, June 7, 2026, our community will gather at the school for our annual Gala—an evening dedicated to honoring education, community, and shared values. This year, we have the distinct privilege of recognizing Dr. Moshe Vaknin, who will retire after 20 years as our Head of School, leaving behind a legacy of vision, dedication, yiddishkeit and inspiration. Before becoming Head of School, Dr. Vaknin spent 10 years in the classroom, where he inspired his students as a passionate and engaging Judaic studies teacher.

Born in 1963 in Tzfat, Israel, to a Sephardic family of Moroccan descent, Dr. Vaknin was the youngest of eight children. He proudly served in the Israel Defense Forces from 1981–1984 on active duty and continued in the reserves until 1990. That same year, he came to the United States, where he pursued higher education with determination and excellence—earning a B.A. from Montclair State University, an M.A. in Bible from the Jewish Theological Seminary, and an Ed.D. from Gratz College.

In 1997, Dr. Vaknin married Beth, and together, with their 2 sons, created a family deeply rooted in Jewish learning and community life. Their son Jesse graduated from Gottesman RTW Academy in 2013, and their son Roy graduated in 2017.

Throughout his tenure, Dr. Vaknin has guided our school with wisdom, compassion, the fiery energy of his Israeli spirit, and a steadfast commitment to excellence in both Judaic and General education. Under his leadership, generations of students have flourished, families have felt embraced, and our school has grown into a vibrant center of learning and community. Not only has Dr. Vaknin led this institution, but he has also personally taught middle school students’ Jewish history, conducted adult education classes for our community, and inspired countless high school students in our Post Graduate Learning Program (PGLP).

The Gala will not only be a joyous celebration of his outstanding contributions, but also an opportunity to come together as a community and support for the future of Gottesman RTW Academy.