Honorees
Ofra HiltzikAssociate Head of School
If identity is the simple fact of being who or what you are, then it’s easy for Ofra Hiltzik to claim her identity. She is Schechter School of Long Island. For over 40 years Ofra has lived her personal and professional lives in and around the halls of this school. She is the first to arrive, and the last to leave. As a Jewish educator, Ofra’s trajectory has been straightforward and impressive: Judaic Studies and Hebrew teacher, Middle School Assistant Principal, Upper School Assistant Principal, Principal, Associate Head of School, Interim Head of School.
Generations of students associate this school with Ofra, whether it be her voice directing them to minyan, or her maternal instincts zeroing in on a personal crisis. Some of those students have been her own children and now are her grandchildren, though she has never shown favoritism.
In honoring Ofra, we honor the standards of educational excellence she has insisted upon, the pride in Judaism she has herself lived, and the profound humanity she has always instinctively modeled. In honoring Ofra, we honor Schechter itself.
In honoring Ofra, we honor the standards of educational excellence she has insisted upon, the pride in Judaism she has herself lived, and the profound humanity she has always instinctively modeled. In honoring Ofra, we honor Schechter itself.
Jonathan Chariton'02, Alumni Honoree
We are always grateful to our alumni, as they carry on Schechter’s mission and commitment to Israel. Jonathan, class of 2002, went on to graduate from Binghamton University’s School of Management and became a CFA Charter holder. Following college, Jonathan made Aliya and joined the IDF as a Lone Soldier. After completing basic and advanced infantry combat training, he served as a combat soldier on Israel’s northern border with Lebanon. Shortly thereafter, he was targeted with early promotion and sent to the IDF commanders’ school, from which he graduated and was elevated to the rank of Sergeant. He received command of an infantry squad within the Nachal’s 50th combat brigade and led his unit through combat tours on the Lebanese border and in Hebron. We recognize Jonathan’s service to Israel and are thrilled to honor him with the Keter Shem Tov Award.
Deborah LorberFormer Science and Engineering Curriculum Coordinator
Deborah Lorber single handedly created our award-winning STEM program, and is the architect behind many successful science fairs and showcases. Often clad in science-themed dresses, Mrs. Lorber also taught Biology and Environmental Science with equal fervor. With her contributions to E2K, Robotics, and Engineering, Ms. Lorber has opened up a world of science to so many students, perhaps most importantly to our girls, many of whom are now pursuing careers in engineering and medicine. Students will forever be thankful for her easy approachability and her willingness to stay after school offering extra help. With a desk surrounded by lush plants and piled with lab workbooks, Ms. Lorber also helped her Crochet Club members create quilts for donation. She is indeed a gentle polymath.
Robin StantonFormer Upper School English Coordinator
Robin Stanton was our long-time English Department Coordinator and driving force behind nourishing a generation of critical thinkers, literature lovers, and expressive writers. There are adults today who still know their lines from Romeo and Juliet or Julius Caesar, who credit the Lord of the Flies mock trial for their interest in the law, who remember The Educated Imagination when analyzing a new work of literature. Because English is about the human condition, Ms. Stanton has an abiding love of social justice, so she helped create CAVOD Club, which has become a haven for many students who want frank discussions about how to navigate through this complicated world. Her colleagues were always thankful for her tireless devotion to Schechter’s mission, her innate ability to guide and nurture students, and her generosity as she trained teachers. She has been such an influential person for so many of us.