Shira and David Berkowitz

Congregation KJBS

Mazal Tov to Rabbi Yishai Broner an Outstanding Alumnus - Graduate School of Loyola University, Jewish Education Leadership Institute. We proudly celebrate Rabbi Yishai Broner ICJA Educator of the Year, whose passionate dedication to Jewish education and unwavering commitment to his students have made a lasting impact on the Ida Crown Jewish Academy community and beyond.

 

Your leadership, scholarship, and heart continue to inspire the next generation.

 

With admiration and gratitude,
George & Barbara Hanus

Mazel Tov to Alderman Debra Silverstein
Recipient of the 2025 Crown Service Award

With heartfelt gratitude, we honor your tireless advocacy on behalf of our community. Your commitment to safety, education, and Jewish values has made a profound and lasting impact on the lives of so many. Thank you for being a true public servant and a steadfast friend of Ida Crown Jewish Academy.

 

With sincere appreciation,
George and Barbara Hanus
 

We honor Daniel Harris for his outstanding service to the students, faculty, and mission of Ida Crown Jewish Academy.

 

Your leadership, hard work, and devotion have left a lasting impact on the school community, and your legacy will continue to inspire for years to come. Mazal Tov on your well-deserved retirement!

 

May this next chapter be filled with health, happiness, and fulfillment.

 

With admiration and appreciation,
George and Barbara Hanus

Rochelle and Rabbi Stanley Kroll

Mazal Tov to Danny Harris on receiving the

Crown Leadership Award.

We sincerely appreciate your selfless
dedication, hard work and endless hours to our
school, our children and our community.

 

You define the word commitment, and we have
all benefited from your time, energy and warmth.

May you and your family be blessed with good

health and nachas and continue to go from
strength to strength.

 

 

Mazal Tov to Alderman Debra Silverstein on
receiving the Crown Service Award and Rabbi
Yishai Broner on receiving the Educator of the
Year Award.

 

Thank you for your leadership and dedication
to Ida Crown and the greater Jewish community.

 

 

Thank you to Rabbi Matanky, Mrs. Gold, Mrs.
Weiss, Deva Zwelling and the administration
and faculty of Ida Crown Jewish Academy.

We greatly appreciate your time, commitment
and devotion to our school, our children and
our community. Thank you for your leadership.

 

A special HaKarat HaTov to the hard working
office staff who greet our children with a
smile every day, we are appreciative of
your kindness.

Bernice and Oscar z'l Novick

Jennie and Avi Rothner

 

 

Keryn and Dr. David Schreiber

Leslie and Tom Silverstein

Susan and Joseph z'l Ament Foundation

 

Mazel Tov to the Honorees on this
well-deserved honor!

 

With much appreciation for all you've done for
our community.

 

May you go from Strength to Strength.

 

Joan and Shael z'l Bellows

Yarona and Shlomoh Ben-David

Crain Maling Foundation

Hochberg and Lowenstein Families

 

We join the ICJA in honoring

Yishai Broner
 Danny Harris
 Ald. Debra Silverstein
 All three individuals have done amazing things for the Jewish community.
 We applaud their contributions and efforts.
 

 

Sharon and Seymour Gertz

Harry and Sady Lasky Foundation

Helen and Dr. Marc Rubinstein

Tira and Moishe Gubin

Debbie and Robert Hartman

Penina and Mark Hartman

 

Mazel Tov to Danny Harris on three decades of
exceptional leadership and dedication to
Ida Crown.

 

Your unwavering commitment to our school and
community has left an indelible mark-thank
you for all you've done!

 

Naomi and Yisroel Lopin

Margaret and Rabbi Leonard Matanky

Judy and Albert Milstein

Phyllis and Stuart Muller

 

Mazal Tov to

Daniel Harris,

Rabbi Broner,

and

Deborah Silverstein.

 

May you go from Strength to Strength.

 

 

Yael and Kenny Ripstein

 

Rosenfield Family Foundation

 

In honor of all my ICJA Alumni Grandchildren

 

Jacob Zwelling '15

Ariella Zwelling '17

Zeke Zwelling '21

Jordana Zwelling '24

 

 

Natalie Schlass 

Jack P. Schleifer Foundation

Tammy and Michael Sugar

 

Mazal Tov to all the Honorees on this well-deserved honor.

May You Go From Strength to Strength!

 

Special Congratulations to Mr. Daniel Harris
who, aside from being a great friend, has led
our community's students through high school
formative years with humor and professionalism.

May you go on to even greater achievements in
your retirement!

 

 

Debra,

 

Mazel Tov on this well deserved honor. 

 

 

 

Bluma and Rabbi Yishai Broner

 

Danny

 

I really miss you for your laughter, for advice, for a hang, or just to commiserate together.

 

But your ability to understand and respect
other people's thoughts and feelings is
missing the most.

 

Yishai

 

Bluma, 

 

 

שלי ושלהם שלך הוא
  

 

 

Yishai
 

In honor of my dear husband and my children's Aba - Yishai.

Though he teaches only a few hours each morning, if you ask him what he does, his answer is always the same: "I'm a rebbe."

His passion for teaching extends far beyond the classroom-it's a part of who he is. Whether he's guiding his students or raising his own children, his commitment to nurturing young minds shines through in everything he does.

 

To him, it's not just a job-it's a calling. His dedication, humility, and love for learning inspire not just his students, but everyone lucky enough to know him. The impact he makes in a few hours each day lasts a lifetime. We are so proud of you. You embody what it truly means to be an educator.

With love and admiration,

Bluma and the kids!

Gila Bronner and Craig Deligdish

Linda and Larry Friedman

Ora and Maury Aaron

Sue and Bill Auerbach

Robin and Yossi Azaraf

 

Mazel Tov to our esteemed honorees!

 

Thank you for your tireless efforts and for
making a lasting impression on our lives.

 

With gratitude and Admiration,

 

Robbie and Scott Fretzin and Family

 

Mazal Tov to all the honorees with a special shout out to Debra Silverstein on her amazing stamina and leadership in representing the Jews of Chicago in an often contentious environment. We are lucky to have you as a representative we can be proud of.

 

And to our good friend, Danny Harris. The ICJA is a better place because of you. From our years together as classmates, and parents of classmates; you have added a very special spark to the Academy experience. Thanks for all your hard work and love for this very special place. And let's not forget the woman who acted as your partner in crime along the way. We love you, too Alida.

May the adventure continue for many years to come.

 

Barbara and Steve Geller

Mashie and Stanford Gertz

Drs.Sharon Sholiton & Yossie Goldberger

Gina and Joseph Gottesman

Ruki and Marc Halpert

Drs. Amy and Guy Kaissar

Mazel Tov to the honorees tonight! Thank you for your dedication and service to ICJA.

 

Yishai- Your dedication and commitment to ICJA and its students is remarkable. Thank you for establishing that kesher that lasts beyond the school walls. May you and Bluma and your entire family be blessed with health and happiness.

 

May you be continue to be blessed to go m"chayil l"chayil.

 

Orah and Lev and family

 

Mazel Tov to Alise Gold, Devorah Kaplowitz,
and William Moscovitch for being recipients
of the Joseph and Tsippora Masliansky Award.

 

The awards honor a student and faculty /staff
member who make a difference at ICJA through
their willingness to "go the extra mile"
and show that spirit in all that they do.

 

 

Mazel Tov to Danny Harris and Rabbi Broner
for their years of dedication to ICJA and our
children. Mazel Tov to Alderman Debra
Silverstein whose acts of courage in the face
of hostility are true acts of Kiddush Hashem
and serve as an inspiration to all of us.

 

R' Marianne Novack and Dr. Noam Stadlan

Rachel and Michael Stein

 

Best Wishes and MAZEL TOV to our three most
deserving friends Debra, Yishai, and Danny for
their selfless contribution to our community.

 

* HaOskim B'tzorchei T'zibur B'emunah Hakdosh
Baruch Hu, Yishalem Scharum*

 

Sussi & Rena Stern

 

Julie and Nathan Thomas

 

 

Mazel Tov Mr. Harris

on this well deserved honor.

 

We appreciate all your years of hard work and
couldn't have gotten through without you!

 

 

We are proud to join ICJA in paying special
tribute to this year's honorees: Danny
Harris (Crown Leadership Award), Rabbi Yishai
Broner (Educator Of The Year), and Alderman
Debra Silverstein (Crown Service Award).

 

We appreciate your commitment to Ida Crown on
behalf of our children and grandchildren.

 

Linda and Stanley Weissbrot

 

Chellie and Dr. Yankee Wilensky

Debbie and Rabbi Shabsai Wolfe

Zell Family Foundation

Laura and David Allswang

Lynn and Alfred Altschul

Jane and Edward Best

 

Mazel Tov to all the Honorees

Daniel Harris
Rabbi Yishai Broner

And

Alderman Debra Silverstein

 

With appreciation for all you do
for our Jewish community!

 

Vivian and Nathan Bloch

 

Mazel Tov to Debra Silverstein, our good friend, our accomplished Alderman, our strong and brave community leader.

 

Congratulations on receiving the Crown Service Award. It is most well deserved. May you continue to go from strength to strength. 

 

Mazel Tov to Rabbi Yishai Broner, Educator of the Year

 

Judy and Michael Daniels

Danny,

 

Wishing you mazel tov on this wonderful honor.

We are so happy that you are being recognized
with the Crown Leadership Award.

Our entire family has enjoyed your involvement
in ICJA, in many roles over the years.

We thank you for your commitment to our school
and its students. We wish you hatzlacha and good health

as you go forward.

 

Judy and Michael Daniels

 Gail and Craig Darlow

Debbie and Dr. Daniel Eisenstein

 

 

Mazel Tov to the honorees and thank you for
all that you do for our community.

 

Mazel Tov to our grandson Jacob Friedman on
your graduation!

 

 

Mazal tov to Dan Harris on this
well-deserved honor!

 

You served the Ida Crown community with heart
and soul and we appreciate that very much!

 

May you go from strength to strength!

 

 

Annette & Harry Gendler

 

Janet and Maynard Grossman

Harry and Ida Rosen Endowment Fund

Laurie and Bernard Hasten

Terri and Andrew Herenstein

Andrea and Moe Herman

Cheryl and Dr. Gary Hoberman

Lisa and Dr. Ed Kaplan

Tikva and Bennie Kirschner

Erica and Josh Legum

Elyse Litwack

 

Mazal tov to all the honorees and thank you
for your dedication to ICJA. Thank you, Mr. Harris,

for your kindness, empathy and years
of commitment to ICJA students.

 

Thank you, Yishai and Bluma, for your
friendship and for all you do for the Chicago
Jewish community and for being an
outstanding rebbe!

 

Dr. Aviva Samet and James Matanky

Trude Matanky z'l

Rachael and Dovie Mauer

Michael Nussbaum

Cindy and Alon Redlich

Freda Robinson

Ronni and Elliot Robinson

Daria,
You have set a beautiful example to your siblings and cousins - leading with kindness, strength and determination.  A friend to all, you have balanced academic excellence with athletic achievement, all while showing love and warmth to everyone around you. I am so proud of the young woman you have become - smart, driven, compassionate and grounded.

You are not only a role model, but a joy to be with.
Now you are heading off to your next adventure - Israel and then the college of your choice, ready to take on the world.

Your future is as bright as your heart is big.
With my fondest wish that your hopes and dreams are realized.
All my love,
Grandma

Debra and David Well

Dr. Preston Wolin

Rhonda and Alan Zahtz

 

Mazal tov to our grandson Amiel Czako on his
marvelous achievements while in high school.

 

May he continue to achieve these high
standards as he enters the collegiate world,
with hashem's help, he will.

 

We are always proud of you.

 

Love,

bubbie and zadie

Danny Harris and Rav Yishai

 

All-Star team!!

 

Pretty darn good for a second city.

 

And a free shout-out to our hero,
Rabbi Matanky!

 

You guys rock.

 

Mitch & Lita Aeder

 

Danny - you rock - always had always will - and are MOST DESERVING of this award -wishing you and Alida the best as you move on.

Mazel Tov Debra, you are a beacon in a time when we all need light.

Yasher Koach Rabbi Broner - Inspiring educators is what gives us all hope for the future.
 

For Yishai: 
WARNING: anyone looking to be a BFF with Yishai Broner be prepared for long periods with feelings of underperformance and a deep sense of inadequacy. Unless of course your daily routine includes; learning, teaching high school half day, running two businesses and helping run two others, being on call to counsel students, hosting elaborate siyums, opening home to multiple guests on a daily basis, teaching Sunday morning Youreka class, throwing kiruv shabbatons and holiday meals often over 60 people,hosting sheva brachas almost weekly,  doing a good portion of cooking for those events, going on two mentoring missions to Israel for a week each year,  and then following up with students daily, taking care of father in Israel and Chicago, serving on multiple boards for Shul ,Cheder, Yeshiva, taking on fundraising when budget is squeezed, never saying no when friends need advice, and I could go on but adbook pages limited in size.
Love, Cheryl and Bruce Leon
 

Alderman Silverstein,

It has been an honor to be your committeeman.

Especially since 10/7, your leadership and
defense of the Jews of Chicago and of Israel
have been beyond words.

 

And I'm glad your courage in the face of the
constant "haters" has been recognized
Nationally and internationally.

You earned lighting the candle on Yom
ha'Atzmaut in Jerusalem.

 

Mazel tov,

Bruce Leon

 

 

Daniel Harris,
 
Mazel tov on all you do for the Jewish people.

 

 
Cheryl and Bruce Leon

 

With so much appreciation and in honor of
Daniel Harris, Rabbi Broner & Alderman
Silverstein. Thank you for all you do for ICJA
and our Jewish community.

 

 

 

Andrea & Stuart Rich

Proud ICJA parents & grandparents

 

 

Mazal Tov to Danny Harris

on this well-deserved honor!

 

Thank you for your decades of commitment to
ICJA. Our years at the Academy with you are
filled with great memories.

 

Wishing you all the best!

 

Shlomit (Kushner) & Arnon Storfer

 

 

Our Dear Mechutanim,

 

Your dedication, warmth, and unwavering commitment to your family and community are truly inspiring.

 

We are so proud to share a bond of family with you.

 

Moishe and Esther Rochel Wolf

 

 

Mazal Tov to all the honorees and a very
special thank you to Danny Harris for your
service to the community, your decades of
friendship, and your chesed to our family
during Rachel's high school years.

 

May you continue to serve K'lal Yisrael in
strength and health for many years.

 

Yishai, The Lerman Family is pleased to honor
you as the Teacher of the Year!

 

The fact that you run a successful company,
and you still make time to impart Torah to the
next generation tells us everything about what
you value.

 

We are honored and proud to know you, and we
hope we continue our friendship for many years
to come.

 

Mazel Tov to Danny, Yishai and Debra.

 

We are honored to call each of you our friends
and are proud of what you have accomplished on
behalf of the Academy and the community
at large.

 

Wishing all of you continued mazel, brachah
and hatzlachah!

 

Malka and Steve Miretzky

 

Dear Danny,

 

Mazel Tov on such a well-deserved honor.

The positive impact you have made over the years will be felt for generations to come.

We are so proud and lucky to share this special moment with you.

 

Sincerely,

Ilana, Adam, Mia, Eli and Liam

Mazel Tov to all the Honorees!

 

Danny Harris - Thank you for your decades of
dedicated service and outstanding commitment to the Academy.

Rabbi Yishai Broner - Mazel Tov on receiving the
well deserved Educator of the Year honor.

Alderman Debra Silverstein - We sincerely appreciate your courage active involvement and hard work on behalf of the entire Jewish community.

 

Phil and Roselle Zaret

 

Mazel Tov to all of the Honorees, a greatly
deserved honor!

 

A special Mazel Tov to D Harris- thank you for
all of your many years of dedication, hard
work , friendship and patience with our
children and with all of the Academy Students.

 

You will be missed!

 

 

Mazel tov to the honorees.

 

A special thank you to

Alderman Debra Silverstein

for all the courage and commitment
she displays for the whole community.

 

 

In honor of former ICJA Associate Dean and 50th Ward Alderman Debra Silverstein: Two inspiring and impactful leaders of the Chicagoland Jewish community.

Danny: You have endeared yourself to students for years at the Academy and demonstrated what a fine, kind, decent and caring human being is all about. On a more personal level, you have been a wonderful, loyal and devoted friend.

Alderman Debra: Your leadership has been the difference in the Jewish community being able to stand up for itself because of your inspired, outspoken and courageous advocacy on behalf of all of us. Mazal Tov to both of you and may Hashem bless you with everything good in His eyes going forward.

With appreciation, admiration and much respect,

Robin and Yaacov Dvorin

 

Mazel tov to all the Honorees on your well deserved honor!

A special Mazel Tov to Alderman Debra Silverstein.

We are so proud of you and all you do for the
Chicago Jewish Community.

You are a inspiration to all who know you.

May Hashem keep you and your family safe .

 

All Our Love,

Auntie Pat (Paula Lyons Gassel),
Cousins; Dena and Gary Bajtner, Judy and P. J.
Goldberg and Moshe and Esther Lyons

 

Mazal Tov to the Honorees on this well-deserved honor.

May You Go From Strength to Strength!

 

Mr. Harris - the impact you've had on our
family throughout the years is so very
much appreciated. Your cheerful demeanor and warmth always made the Academy feel like home from Pratt to Central Park.

 

Mazal tov!

 

                                                                                                                    BH

Mazel tov to Rabbi Yashai Broner on receiving the Educator of the Year Award.  While teaching gemara is his job, Rabbi Broner teaches by example how to live a life of Torah and mitzvos.  Along with his wife Bluma, they are involved in the community is so many ways that enrich the lives of those who are the recipients of their chesed. May Hashem grant the Broners many years of gezunt and koach so that they can continue to teach the true meaning of a Torah impacted life.

We congratulate Debra Silverstein on receiving the Crown Service Award.  Her dedication to the 50th ward and our community is an example of what a public servant is expected to do.  We appreciate her efforts on behalf of all of us in the 50th ward.  May Hashem protect her as she goes about her daily tasks on our behalf.

Mazel tov to Danny Harris on receiving the Crown Leadership Award for his many years of dedication to ICJA and its students. As he begins a new venture, we wish him mazel and bracha.  From, Steve and Cheryl Karesh

 

We are so thrilled that ICJA recognizes the outstanding accomplishments of

Ald. Debra Silverstein and honors her with this year's Crown Service Award.

We are proud to call her our dear friend.

Debra, may G-d bless you with strength to
continue your important work for our
Jewish community.

 

Love,

Faye and Hillel Meyers

Miriam and David Meyers

 

Mazal tov to the honorees!

 

Mazal tov to Debra, a very special person.

 

Thank you for all you do!

 

 

IN HONOR OF

RABBI YISHAI BRONER, EDUCATOR OF THE YEAR,

DANIEL HARRIS, CROWN LEADERSHIP

AWARDEE,

& ALDERMAN DEBRA SILVERSTEIN, CROWN SERVICE AWARDEE.

MAZAL TOV TO THEM ON
THEIR WELL-DESERVED HONORS. MAY THEY AND

THEIR FAMILIES BE BLESSED WITH MUCH

מזל, ברכה, הצלחה, בריאות, שמחה ונחת

 

MIMI & SAM SELESKI & FAMILY

 

 

To our dear son-in-law Rabbi Yishai Broner shlit"a -

Your commitment and devotion to your
talmidim is inspiring and produces
incredible results!

 

We are so proud and thankful.

 

With love,

 

 

 

Mazal Tov to all the honorees!

 

A special thank you to Danny Harris: Thank you
for devoting your time and heart to
the Academy.

 

 

Thank you to all the honorees for helping to
make ICJA the gold standard in education.

 

Thank also to the administration, the
teachers, and all the staff for all your
hard work.

 

 

 

Mazal Tov to our dear friend Danny Harris on
this well-deserved honor!

 

You have guided our children as well as
countless others into becoming accomplished
adults and true B'nei Torah.

 

Thank you for your dedication!

 

Mark & Marla Kirshner

 

Mazel Tov Debra on this special honor.

Your dedication to the community, and your
unwavering commitment to Torah values and

Israel inspire us every day.

You lead by example with humility, love, and
an open heart, always making a difference in
the lives of everyone around you.

We are so grateful to have you as family and
as a role model. This honor is so well deserved.

 

With Love,

Mom, Rachelle & Paul, and Randi
& Michael

Mazal tov to tonight's dinner honorees:

Mr. Harris, Rabbi Broner, and
Alderman Silverstein.

 

Thank you for your continued leadership,
service and dedication to ICJA, and to the
greater Chicago Jewish community!

 

May you go from strength to strength.

 

Jeff and Sima Neiger and Family

 

Mazal Tov to Debra Silverstein
You selflessly give of yourself to benefit our community.
May you and your family be blessed with mazal, good health and nachas.  

In appreciation to Rabbi Leonard Matanky and the entire staff of ICJA for their dedication in ensuring the success of each student. 

 
Ezra and Chani Belsky
(Dassy's grateful grandparents) 
 

 

To our dearest Parents whose capacity and
thirst for Chesed has absolutely no limits.

 

 

Aviad & Miriam Gavriel, Naomi Davidi &
Shprintza Mariam, Shmuel, Ayala, Benzion Yaniv
& Michali Hadassah, Naomi, Efrat And your
favorite, Cobi

 

We join ICJA in paying tribute to tonight's honorees.

Rabbi Broner-We have known you and your family for many years yet we still marvel at the broad swath of the community that you touch with your devotion to so many causes.

 

Debra-Hard to believe that we know each other for forty years!! Your dedication to the Jewish community (often in the face of unfathomable challenges and personal peril) is remarkable. One cannot imagine how Jewish life in Chicago would be if not for your advocacy and strong defense of our neighborhoods and well-being. May Hashem bless all three honorees and their families with good health, nachas and bracha, and may they all continue their avodas Hashem ad me'ah v'esrim.

 

Debra and Ira Clair and family

In Honor of Our Friends

 

Rabbi Leonard Matanky

Daniel Harris

and Deva Zwelling

for their dedication and commitment to the students

of Ida Crown Jewish Academy.

 

*****************

Zenia and Jeffrey Cohen

 

Hashmonaim, Israel

 

An Ode on Danny Harris's Retirement
The slow time now becomes your watch, Ticking to a slower beat.
No more the rush of 200 feet filling the corridors with youth.
No more the hours of calendars and room assignments and schedules.
No more the quick pace of getting to work on time.
Now comes slow time, slow foods, slow pacing for the slow days.
And as you swim laps and walk with Pho and visit Israel and love those grandchildren.
You move at a relaxed pace, listening to the beat of your full heart.

Know that we miss you. We will always miss your smile, your heart, your Eeyore posture, your baseballs, your pretzels, your warmth, and we will remember the fast days, the bells ringing, the challenges, the sunshine at Retreat.
And be thankful for every minute we shared.
-ICJA Faculty
 

 

Mazel Tov to the honorees for their
dedication and contribution to ICJA, Jewish
education and our Jewish community, and to
Rabbi Matanky for his tireless devotion to
ICJA and the entire Jewish community,

both here and in Israel.

 

Norm and Leslie Finkel

 

Rabbi Yishai Broner, much gratitude and

thanks for your mentorship, hospitality,
wisdom, and dedication to your students.

 

Mr. Daniel Harris, many thanks for your
engaging, steady, and warm presence at ICJA.

Alderman Debra Silverstein, we recognize and
appreciate your being the defender and
champion for Israel and the Jewish People in
Chicago City Government.

 

Jordan & Beth Grey & family

 

Danny - It has been a pleasure schmoozing and
working with you for these past decades. B'hatzlacha!

 

Debra - Thank you for all you do for
our community.

 

 

Joel & Fran

 

 

Mazel tov to our cousin Debra Silverstein on
your well deserved honor Mazel tov to

Rabbi Yishai Broner and Danny Harris

on your well deserved honors!!

 

May you all go from strength to strength!

 

 

Brenda and Alan Halpert

 

Daniel,

 

You walked into Ida Crown Jewish Academy as a student, and decades later, you're walking out as a leader, a mentor, and a beloved part of its heart. It took you a while... but after all these years, you've finally graduated. :) Through every chapter - as a teacher, a colleague, a friend - you've led with kindness, humility, and purpose. You didn't just talk about values - you lived them. You showed up every day with a full heart, a steady hand, and a quiet strength that made all the difference.

 

(continued on next slide)

Your favorite advise says it all: "Do your best. Be nice to people. Move on." Simple, honest and exactly how you've lived your life. I've watched you give so much to others without asking for anything in return. And I am endlessly proud - of your dedication, your impact, and the respect you've earned from everyone around you. Most of all, I'm proud of the example you've set for our children and grandchildren - showing them what it means to live a life of meaning, to lead with values, and to always treat people with kindness and respect.

 

Love always,

Alida  
 

To our beloved Abba/Daddy/Pops, As you retire after 40 remarkable years in Jewish education, we wanted to take a moment to put into words what so many of your students, colleagues, and family members feel: deep admiration, lasting gratitude and heartfelt pride. You have devoted your life to teaching not just the words of Torah, but the spirit behind them. Your office was not just a place to learn-it was a safe place, free from judgement that allowed students to grow, to question, and to connect with Judaism in a meaningful, lasting way. You've guided generations with wisdom, patience, and a steadfastness that never asked for recognition but always earned it.

 

(continued on next slide)
 

Your legacy is written in the lives of your students, many of whom have gone on to become educators, community leaders, and thoughtful Jewish adults. They carry your voice with them, and your lessons continue to echo far beyond the walls of any school. To us, your family, you've been a living example of the values you've taught-integrity, humility, and a deep commitment to Klal Yisrael to go along with doing your best, being nice to people and moving on. We are so proud of what you've accomplished, and even more proud of who you are. Thank you for showing us and so many others what it means to build a home filled with Torah, kindness, and community. We are so lucky you are ours. We love you. Mazel Tov! Tye, Nikki, Marnina, Eli, Dodi, Yair, Baer, Gemma, Bennie, Elan and Chen
 

Mazel Tov to Our Incredible Brother-in-Law  Yishai Broner - Educator of the Year!
We are beyond proud to celebrate this well-deserved recognition of your dedication, passion, and impact. Watching you inspire and guide so many students with warmth, patience, and unwavering commitment reminds us just how lucky they are - and how lucky we are to call you family.
Your devotion to education goes far beyond the classroom. Whether it's the extra hours you put in, the way you connect with each student individually, or the thoughtful values you instill - you elevate the standard for what it means to teach and to lead.
On behalf of all your siblings and siblings-in-law, we wish you a heartfelt Mazel Tov!
May this honour be just the beginning of even greater accomplishments ahead.
With love and admiration,
Ephraim & Chana Polatsek, Elie & Adina Ryzman, Sruli & Racheli Rosenbaum, Michael & Ahuva Chemama, Ben & Rach Shkop
Archie & Mimi Shkop

Mazel Tov to our amazing mom, Alderman Debra Silverstein, on being honored at the

Dr. Edward A. Crown Scholarship Dinner at Ida Crown Jewish Academy!
To the world, she's an extraordinary leader -
a tireless advocate for the Jewish community in the 50th Ward of Chicago,
a steadfast supporter of Jewish life, learning, and community values,
and a voice of strength and compassion.
But to us, she's also just our Mom -
the heart of our family, our role model, and our greatest source of inspiration.
We are so proud of everything you've accomplished,
and we're grateful every day for your love, values, and example.
 
With all our love,
Alissa, Leor, Joey, Rebecca, Judah, Shelby, Zev, Annie and Yosef

 

Mazel Tov to my Co-Honorees, Danny and
Yishai, For decades you have been a positive
role model for the students of ICJA. Our
children are the next generation of leaders.

 

Your dedication, patience and passion has left
a lasting impact on all of them, and for that
I thank you!

 

Debra

 

לראש תומכי התורה ומלמדיה 
Our best wishes to this year's Honorees,
Alderman Debra Silverstein, שתחי' Crown Service Award,
 
Mr. Daniel Harris,  שי'  Crown Leadership Award 
ובפרט לכבוד ידידינו היקר החשוב ה"ה  הר"ר ישי ברונר, שליט"א
Teacher of the Year   שנתעטר בתואר
ויהא רעות שיתברכו בשפע רב אושר ועושר וכבוד והצלחה מרובה בכל אשר יפנו וימשיכו לראות בנים ובני בנים עוסקים בתורה ובמצוות ברכות רבות והצלחה גדולה
To the Ida Crown Jewish Academy
חזקו ואמצו בעבודתכם הקדושה
 לשם ולתפארת עירנו ולתפארת כל בית ישראל
 מאחלים

Yeshivas Kesser Yonah
Joins ICJA in paying tribute to tonight's
worthy honorees
Daniel Harris - Crown Leadership Awardee
Who is renowned for his caring and nurturing of ICJA students
Our Board Member and dedicated supporter -

Rabbi Yishai Broner, Educator Of The Year
Alderman Debra Silverstein - Crown Service Awardee
Who has helped our Yeshiva and the entire
community in numerous ways
יה"ר שתזכו להמשיך פעולותכם
 למען קהילותינו וכלל ישראל
מתוך בריאות הרחבת הדעת, וכל טוב
 We wish continued הצלחה to the Ida Crown Jewish Academy
 
 

Mazel tov to Danny Harris on being honored by Ida Crown Jewish Academy.  Your dedication to the chinuch in our community is truly remarkable.  You should be zoche to have incredible nachas from your family and continued simchas and hatzlacha עד ביאת גואל צדק במהרה בימינו.
 
Mazel tov to Alderman Debra Silverstein on receiving this honor.  It goes without saying, the impact that you have had on the city of Chicago has been incredible.  Your courage and strength to stand up to keep our community safe is awe-inspiring.  May you be Zoche to continued Nachas from your Mishpacha and may you be Zoche to go מחיל אל חיל.