Journal | Schechter School of Long Island Gala 2025

EMERALD SPONSOR

Mazel Tov to 2025 Gala Honorees

Jeffrey Shlefstein

Rabbi Joel Levenson & Leora Cohen

Danielle Truglio

Anonymous

EMERALD SPONSOR

Dear Jeff, Mazal Tov on this most deserved honor.

Your dedication to the Schechter School of Long Island is admirable.
Sending our kids to SSLI is one of the best decisions we made.
Your commitment to see this school flourish for future generations exemplifies your commitment to creating the next generation of Jewish Leaders.

May you continue to be a role model for all of us.

Mazal Tov, Dad! We are so proud of you and everything you do for our School!

Thank you for being a role model for us and for always guiding us

to be the best versions of ourselves.

We are in awe of all the hard work you do and are well deserving of this honor.

Mazal Tov to

Rabbi Joel Levenson & Leora Cohen and

Danielle Truglio

Thank for your leadership and dedication to the

Schechter School of Long Island

Julie, Josh (2019) Rachel (2021) & Sarah (2026)

RUBY SPONSOR

Mazel tov to this year's honorees!

We are grateful to you for your commitment, investment,
and hard work for our community.

We'd like to say a special thank you to Jeffrey Shlefstein,
who has been an incredible President these last few years.
Your guidance and support on our Atid initiatives, refocusing our Board on these important priorities for our school,
have been immensely impactful.

Thank you for your mentorship and leadership.

We are so proud to be part of this Schechter life
and we look forward to an exciting and vibrant next chapter!

Stephanie & Scott Harris

RUBY SPONSOR

Mazal Tov Jeffrey!

Thank you for everything you have done and continue to do to support Schechter and the Jewish community.

I am so proud of you and your hard work and dedication and the fact that you always do it with a smile!

I want to also congratulate Rabbi Joel & Leora Cohen and Danielle Truglio on this well deserved honor.

May You Go from Strength to Strength!

Love,

Sylvia Weiser

SAPPHIRE SPONSOR

Mazel Tov to

Jeffrey Shlefstein

and all the Honorees
for all the time and effort they devote

to the children of the

Schechter School of Long Island

and the Jewish community.

Charlotte Balsam

(Safta of Ariel '15, Sara '17, Noah '20)

SAPPHIRE SPONSOR

Congratulations, Mr. President!

Thank you for welcoming me at family dinners,
teaching me about tickets, making me laugh,
and taking care of our school.
You raised the best friend I could ever ask for.

Mazal tov Rabbi Levenson, Ms. Cohen,
and Ms. Truglio! Thank you for your guidance, continued support, and dedication to Schechter.

With appreciation,
Shay & the Ginzburg Family

SAPPHIRE SPONSOR

Mazal Tov to my son Jeffrey
May he go from Strength to Strength

All my love,

Mom

SAPPHIRE SPONSOR

Mazel Tov to our Schechter Gala 2025 Honorees

Jeffrey Shlefstein

Rabbi Joel Levenson and Leora Cohen

Danielle Truglio

Keter Shem Tov Award

Thanks for everything you do for our
beloved school and the Jewish community

Ellen & Jay Steinberg

SAPPHIRE SPONSOR

To our unbelievable honorees

During these difficult times, we are deeply grateful for tireless leadership and unending commitment to our amazing Schechter School of Long Island.

Words are insufficient to express appreciation for all that you do. Mazel Tov on this well-deserved honor.

The Levi Blau Family

SAPPHIRE SPONSOR

PLATINUM SPONSOR

Mazel Tov to All the Honorees!!

Jeff Shlefstein
Thank you for all your years of leadership at Schechter.
Your dedication and efforts are commendable.
We feel honored to consider you our friend.

Rabbi Joel Levenson & Leora Cohen
Thank you for all you do for Schechter and
the Greater Long Island Jewish Community.

Danielle Truglio
Thank you for your support and dedication
towards our Schechter community.

Sheri & Ira Balsam

Ariel (Class of 2015) and Didi,

Sara (Class of 2017) & Noah (Class of 2020)

PLATINUM SPONSOR

Mazel Tov to the Honorees of Schechter School of Long Island 2025 Gala!

We are so grateful for all the support you provide to Schechter in so many ways.

Rabbi Joel Levenson & Leora Cohen

We are so thankful for your leadership and dedication to the Schechter community, thank you for all that you do, and we are thrilled to be part of your congregation at Midway Jewish Center!

Jeffrey Shlefstein

We commend the work you have done as the Board of Trustees President,
it has been a pleasure to work with you!

Danielle Truglio, Keter Shem Tov Award

You bring so much light and joy to the alumni community,
thank you for keeping that connection strong!

Yasher Koach to all the Honorees!

We also would like to thank the Schechter faculty, staff and administration for all their hard work and dedication to educating and nurturing our children,
we are forever grateful!

Tyson, Allison, Shoshana ('21), Talia ('23), Micah ('26) and Ava ('37) Bidner

Tyson & Allison Bidner

PLATINUM SPONSOR

Congratulations Danielle!

Thank You For Your Commitment and Dedication
to the Schechter School of Long Island

and Our Entire Community

Lewis, Ilana, Benjamin,
Xime, Sarah, Trace, Shai & Maya

PLATINUM SPONSOR

Yasher Koach to all the Honorees!

Jeff - Thank you for your leadership and committment
to Schechter.

Leora and Joel - Thank you for your continued support of Schechter and the Jewish Community

Danielle - Thank you for being alumna extraordinary!

Thank you also to all the Teachers and Staff at Schechter and

Mazal Tov to the Graduating Seniors!

Dalia & Ari

Noa (2017), Zoe (2020), Joshua (2026)

PLATINUM SPONSOR

Mazal Tov to our esteemed 2025 SSLI Gala Honorees,

Jeff Shlefstein

Rabbi Joel Levenson & Leora Cohen

Danielle Truglio

Thank you for your vitally important work and commitment to SSLI.

Jeff, thank you for leading the way with such wisdom and grace.

To our dedicated administrators, teachers and staff, thank you for your tireless work to educate our children with excellence and love.

We are grateful to the Schechter School of Long Island for teaching our children and grandchildren strong Jewish values and providing academic excellence in a warm and nurturing community.

With gratitude and love,

Vicki & Arthur Perler

PLATINUM SPONSOR

MAZEL TOV and THANK YOU to this year's AMAZING honorees:

Jeff Shlefstein

We recognize and commend your tremendous commitment to SSLI, its students and the future of Judaism. Your dedication to our mission is exemplary.

We honor you.

Rabbi Joel & Leora

We appreciate your consistent guidance and love for our community. Your work is so valued and your entire family is cherished and integral to the fabric of SSLI.
We respect you.

Danielle Truglio

We are so impressed by your efforts on the school's behalf and admire your passion for all that SSLI represents. You are our past and our future.

We commend you.

We would also like to thank the incredible teachers, administrators, and staff of SSLI, past and present, for 20 years of excellence in education and true partnership in raising our family together.

With love,

Rachel & Michael Schor

PLATINUM SPONSOR

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

May You Go From Strength
to Strength!

Beth & Radim Teplitsky

PALLADIUM SPONSOR

Mazal Tov to the Honorees on

this well-deserved Honor.

May You Go From Strength
to Strength!

Janet & Albert Hakim

PALLADIUM SPONSOR

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

May You Go From Strength
to Strength!

Bonnie & Stuart Kotler

PALLADIUM SPONSOR

Mazal Tov to the Honorees

Jeffrey Shlefstein
Rabbi Joel Levenson & Leora Cohen

Danielle Truglio

Thank you for your tireless efforts on
behalf of the Schechter School of Long Island
and for all you do for the Jewish community at large.

You are all terrific leaders and role models,
and your dedication to Jewish education

and causes is greatly appreciated.

Todah Rabah!

Manda & Lenny Kristal

Ariella, Danielle and Alex

GOLD SPONSOR

Congratulations to the

Honorees and

the Schechter School of Long Island

on its Annual Gala Celebration

Linda, Marc, Diane, Jessica,
Alana, & Sasha Chernoff

GOLD SPONSOR

Mazal tov to the 2025 Gala Honorees!

To Rabbi Joel Levenson & Leora Cohen
(also known as Joel, Leora, Lulu, Doda Lulu or Dod Jojo),

We love you and are continually inspired by you.

Thank you for leading the way for all of us
and setting an example of dedication,
kindness, strength, and unwavering commitment.

Love,

Dee (Mom), Sandy (Mom),

Bill, Annie & Ari

Violet, Teddy & Jack

GOLD SPONSOR

Congratulations to all the Honorees!

Thank you for everything you do for

Schechter and the Jewish Community

Estera Stawski & Abi Wrobel

GOLD SPONSOR

Mazel Tov to the Honorees
on this well deserved honor!

We thank you for your
leadership and commitment
to the Schechter School of Long Island

Serena Moallem & Peter Robertson

GOLD SPONSOR

Thanks so much to Jeff Shlefstein for
stepping up and supporting our school at an
incredibly challenging time in our history.

Jeff was "the right man at the right time"
for the Schechter School of Long Island and our
entire school community is better for his
massive efforts and major accomplishments.

Thanks also to Jeff's family for sharing his
time with us in our own time of need.

Jeff & Beth Steinberg

SILVER SPONSOR

Mazal Tov to Jeff, a wonderful leader of the
Schechter school of Long Island.

Your dedication to the preservation of Jewish
learning is an inspiration to us all.

Congratulations to all the honorees for your
commitment to our school.

The Canarick family

SILVER SPONSOR

Mazal Tov to all the Honorees

and a special shout out to

Danielle

We love you and are

so proud of all you do.

Bonnie, Barry & Sarah Epstein

SILVER SPONSOR

Mazel Tov to
the Schechter School of Long Island

and a hearty Yasher Koach to
Jeffrey Shlefstein
Rabbi Joel Levenson & Leora Cohen
Danielle Truglio

Dr. Axel Stawski

SUPPORTER

Jeffrey Shlefstein

Jeff, you have been a stellar partner throughout these turbulent and emotional three years. From the moment it was suggested you would be the right person for the job, you rose to the challenge. I could not have navigated these seas without you.

Rabbi Joel Levenson and Leora Cohen

In a way I think of you as a power couple, but really you are an empowering couple. Rabbi, you have taught our larger Schechter community
how to rely on and learn from each other.

Leora, you are a thoughtful listener and mentor to our students,
and an invaluable resource to our teachers. Together, you epitomize compassion.

Danielle Truglio

Danielle, when someone asks me to encapsulate a Schechter student, you always come to mind. It is clear that Schechter is part of your adult life, and I marvel at how you have given back to our school. Your volunteer efforts during Covid and your presence at so many of our events are a tribute to your commitment.
You are the best of the best.

Ofra Hiltzik

SUPPORTER

Mazel Tov to SSLI
and the most incredibly deserving honorees
From your friends at

David A. Cohen
MGI Insurance Group
[email protected]
T: 917 991 9393 / F: 212 790 2806

SUPPORTER

Danielle, we are so proud of you and all the work that you do for your community. You are the embodiment of Tikkun Olam, and we are thrilled to see you receive this honor tonight. There is truly no one more deserving!

Mazel tov to you and all of the honorees!

We love you!

Mom, Dad and Justin

FRIEND

We thank the Honorees

for their vision, leadership

and commitment to the

Schechter School of Long Island

Audrey & Jeffrey Amer

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

May You Go From Strength to Strength!

Anya, Danie, Shayna & Selah Barak

FRIEND

Mazal Tov Leora & Joel

You lead by example in everything you do
and inspire us all.

Thank you Jeffrey for your dedication and
commitment to our school.

Lavi, Mikey, Elaine & Joe Benlevi

Mazal tov to our dear friends, Leora and Joel.

Your kindness and dedication to others make a lasting impact.
You lead not just with words, but with action,
and our community is better because of you.

A heartfelt thank you to Jeffrey for your vision and leadership,

and to Danielle for your passion and commitment.

Sam & Andrea

Jordan, Joshua, and Juliette Bitton

FRIEND

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

May You Go From
Strength to Strength!

Dorie & Mark Fridman

Mazel Tov to the Levensons on this well-deserved recognition.

We feel lucky to call you our friends.

Go Lions!!

Love,

The DuBow-Fruithandler Clan

FRIEND

Mazal Tov to the Honorees on
this Well-Deserved Honor.

May You Go from Strength to Strength!

Debra & Mark Ilberman-Hoffman

Congratulations to the Honorees

and the Schechter School of Long Island
on its Annual Gala Celebration

Sean Infante

FRIEND

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

May You Go From Strength to Strength!

Judi Jurmann

Mazal tov to all the honorees!

Rabbi Joel and Leora, best 8th and 10th grade parents!

Danielle, great working with you for Alumni involvement!

Asael & Michelle Meir

FRIEND

Mazal Tov to

Rabbi Joel Levenson & Leora Cohen
on this well-deserved honor.

May You Go From Strength to Strength!

The Board & Staff of the Mid Island Y Jewish Community Center

Rabbi & Leora, Mazel Tov on this deserving honor.

We are in awe of your dedication to Jewish living and learning.

On behalf of the MJC Community, Todah Rabah

Rabbi Karen Reiss Medwed, Genea Moore,

Evita Sokol, Sandi Bettan

Midway Jewish Center

FRIEND

Rabbi Joel and Leora

You are a true inspiration for Midway,
and the Jewish community at large.

We feel so lucky that you are ours!

Midway Jewish Center's
Sisterhood and Men's Club

Congratulations to the Honorees and
the Schechter School of Long Island

on its Annual Gala Celebration

Mitzner Family

FRIEND

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

May You Go From Strength to Strength!

Michele, Steven,
Sylvie, Max, Meir & Sarah Moscovitz

MAZEL TOV TO THE INIMITABLE JEFF SHLEFSTEIN!

Thank you for ALL you do to
enrich Judaism in our community

Susan Pavane,

President Shelter Rock Jewish Center

FRIEND

Plainview Jewish Center Congratulates Jeffrey Shlefstein, Rabbi Joel Levenson & Leora Cohen and Danielle Truglio. Yasher Koach and thank you for helping to make the Schechter School of Long Island an exemplary Jewish learning community.

Steven Conn, DD, Rabbi * Judith Merrick, Cantor * Morris Wolk, DMus, Cantor Emeritus * Michael Fruchter, Education Dir.

Mazal Tov to Rabbi Joel & Leora

We are blessed to have
them as exemplary educators
in our community!

Ellen & Rabbi Rafi Rank

FRIEND

Congratulations to the Honorees and SSLI on its Annual Gala Celebration

Rena & Andy Goodman

Jeff, we are grateful for your tireless dedication to

Schechter and to the broader Jewish community.

Mazel Tov on this well deserved honor.

Barbara & Jonathan Samuels

FRIEND

Mazal Tov to Jeffrey Shlefstein

with appreciation for all you do for the

Schechter School of Long Island, Shelter Rock Jewish Center, and the entire Jewish Community.

Shelter Rock Jewish Center

Congratulations to the honorees and
particularly to our own Jeffrey Shlefstein!

Yasher Koach and Todah Rabbah!

Rabbi Claudio Kupchik & Hazzan Larry Goller

FRIEND

Congratulations to the honorees

Jeff Shlefstein,

Rabbi Joel Levenson & Leora Cohen
and Danielle Truglio

We are thrilled to be back at the

Schechter School of Long Island

The Silvera Family

Mazel Tov to the Honorees and

Carly, Ariel & the Schechter Class of 2025!

We love you!

Jordan & Daniel Smith

Fay & Kenny,

Gabriel (SSLI '20) and Meira (SSLI '22) Duftler

FRIEND

President Jeffrey, Rabbi Levenson & Leora,
our school continues to be a beacon of
educational excellence thanks to your efforts!

Danielle, thank you for showing what it means to be an SSLI Alum!

The Tannenbaum Family

Amy & Peter, Rachel (SSLI 2012),
Maxine (SSLI 2015) & Sion Aronoff (GOA 2015)

Congratulations to the Honorees
and to the Schechter School of Long Island

on its Annual Gala Celebration

TMO Caterers

FRIEND

Congratulations to the
Honorees and the
Schechter School of Long Island
on its Annual Gala Celebration

Ronnie & Elliot Zolin

WELL-WISHER

Toda Raba Rabbi Joel & Leora for the devotion & warmth you bring to our community.

The Berkowitz's, Podell's & Schutzman/Rafe's

MYRON & BARBARA BLOOM are
proud to join Schechter School of Long Island in honoring
JEFFREY SHLEFSTEIN

To the remarkable Honorees

May your acts of wisdom, chesed and
leadership inspire others. Thank You and Mazel Tov.

Eileen Bohrer

WELL-WISHER

Congratulations to our spiritual leaders and good friends

Rabbi Joel and Leora
on this most prestigious and well-deserved honor!

The Charles Family

Mazal Tov to All Honorees
East End Neuropsych, Specializing in
Geriatric & Neurocognitive Disorders
eastendneuropsych.com 631-737-643

East End Neuropsych

Mazal tov to all of the honorees,

especially our friends Jeff, Joel, and Leora!

Judy & David

Etz Hayim at Hollis Hills Bayside

WELL-WISHER

Mazal Tov to the most deserving couple,
Rabbi Joel & Leora.

Thank you for all you have done for our grade and for our school!

The Families of 10th Grade

Mazal Tov to our fellow 11th grade parents - Jeff, Joel, & Leora! Our community is better because of you! Mazal Tov Danielle!

The Families of 11th Grade

Mazel Tov, Levensons!

Expressing our deepest gratitude for your
support and dedication to our community.

Love, The Families of 8th Grade

WELL-WISHER

Thank you to Jeff Shlefstein
& all the honorees for all that you do for
the Schechter School of Long Island

Lynne & Arnie Gordon

Yasher Koach to Jeff Shlefstein and all the honorees.
We appreciate your dedication and leadership at SSLI.

Robin & Howard Guzik

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

May You Go From Strength to Strength!

Rabbi Lev & Lisa Herrnson

WELL-WISHER

Mazal Tov to

Rabbi Joel Levenson & Leora Cohen for the

work they do every day to further the Jewish community.

Marion Jacobson

Mazel Tov to Two Extraordinary Educators,
Joan Cohen & Sandy Pensak

With Love,

Arlene & Bob Kagan

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

May You Go From Strength to Strength!

Lori & Steven Kantorowitz

WELL-WISHER

Congratulations to all!!

It's our honor and pleasure to partner with

the Schechter School of Long Island. Enjoy!

Mid Island Transportation Inc

Todah Rabah Rabbi Levenson & Leora Cohen
for your leadership & dedication to the Schechter,
Midway and broader Jewish communities!

The Executive Committee, Midway Jewish Center

Rabbi Levenson & Leora,

we are so fortunate to have you
as leaders and friends to Midway and Schechter.

Midway Morning Minyanaires

WELL-WISHER

Kol Hakavod to Jeff Shlefstein

We are inspired by your leadership
and blessed by your friendship

Dr. Hugh & Martha Pollack

Mazal Tov Rabbi Joel & Leora!

Your dedication to Jewish education
and community inspires us.

With gratitude,

Joan, Aren & Ram

Yasher Koach & Mazel Tov To a Very "Special" Couple

RABBI JOEL & LEORA

Hugs & Continued Success...

JILL & IRWIN RUDERFER

WELL-WISHER

Joel & Leora, Mazal Tov on this most deserved honor! Our community is blessed to have you lead us.

The Schessler & Fields Families

Mazal Tov to all the Honorees!

Thank you for your dedication and leadership
to SSLI and the Jewish community!

Renee, Raphy, Michelle & Avi Soussan

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

May You Go From Strength to Strength!

Robin & Philip Spencer

WELL-WISHER

Mazal Tov to the Honorees on this well-deserved honor.
May You Go From Strength to Strength!

Genia, Stewart, Alexander, Benjamin & Isaac Taub

!אור זרוע לצדיק

Mazal Tov to Jeff Shlefstein on this Great Honor

The Mermelshtein, Hirsch & Korngold Families

Mazel tov wishes to Jeff Shlefstein

on this well deserved honor.

Carolyn, Jeff, Samantha, Emily, Sydney,
Sam, Mike and Jake

WELL-WISHER

Mazal Tov Rabbi Joel & Leora Levenson!

You inspire us all every day to be our best selves and use our hands, hearts and feet to change the world. The CYJ Sprout Lake Community is proud to have you as part of our community.

Young Judaea Sprout Lake Camp

Mazel Tov Jeff on this well deserved honor!

May you go from Strength to Strength!

Ruth and Gary Zelman

GRADUATE & SIYUM

Mazel Tov to Ava and her fellow Gansters
on their upcoming Siyum!
THANK YOU to Mrs. Post and Dorit,
we are forever grateful!
The Bidner Family

Congratulations Zev and the Gan Class of 2025!
Love, Grandpa and Safta Cardell

Joan & Keith Cardell

Mazel Tov to Zev and the 2025 Gan Class!
Such a joy to watch you learn and grow.

With love and pride, Aunt Marcia

GRADUATE & SIYUM

Chamoody & Family Send Best Wishes &
Mazal Tov to Sammy and Zamir Mildron on their

moving up and graduation.

Love you!

Mazal Tov to the graduates of the 2025 class.

You are all spectacular!

Sam Palter, so proud of you and love you!

Steven & Michele Palter