View Journal | TBJ 2025 Gala

Diamond

Thank you, Michele and Abra, for your love and dedication to TBJ and our children.

Your tireless commitment, hard work and passion have created an exceptional and unequalled environment for Jewish education. You are both shining lights and we're so proud and grateful to have you in our TBJ family.

With love,

Amy & Jeff Kaplan, Lauren, Austin, Annabel, Michael AND Ava!

Diamond

Mazel tov, Michele and Abra!

With love,

Carol and David Sidman

Gold

Congratulations Michele and Abra! Your hard work and dedication are admired by all in the TBJ community! Michele - our amazing memories from our years in the ECC will remain forever in our hearts. We still live by your words and wisdom in our house, and you provided the strongest foundation for our children. You were right, the most important lessons in life are learned in nursery school! Abra - you manage the difficult task of making religious school work within the busy schedules of our kids' lives and somehow manage to even make it fun!
Thank you both for all you do for our children.
With love,

Erin, David, Lily, Sam and Harrison Schonbraun

Gold

The 11th Commandment should be...
Honor Thy Teacher!

Congratulations, Michele and Abra!

You have made a lasting contribution to the community.

With love and gratitude from the Karp Family,

Margie, Don, Jonathan, Katherine, Oliver, Henry, Eliza, Lucy & Alex

Gold

Congratulations Michele and Abra!

You've made a lasting contribution to our community, and also to our children, Melanie, Rachel and Noah.

With love,

Randi and Eric Sellinger

Silver

We are so fortunate to be able to support the Temple's ECC and Religious School. We were introduced to TBJ 23 years ago when our eldest son was 3 months old and have been members ever since. Our children grew up at TBJ, with both boys having had their Bar Mitzvah there. Our first friends in the area were those we met at TBJ. We are thrilled to honor Michele and Abra for all they have done and continue to do at TBJ.

Mazel tov!

Nancy and Andrew Wayne

Bronze

Dear Abra and Michele,
On behalf of the Board of Trustees, we extend our heartfelt congratulations and deepest appreciation for your outstanding leadership, dedication, and vision in guiding our educational programs. Your commitment to nurturing Jewish learning, fostering spiritual growth, and building a vibrant, inclusive community is truly inspiring. Through your tireless efforts, you have enriched the lives of our students and families and strengthened the foundation of TBJ. We are proud to celebrate your achievements and grateful for the wisdom, compassion, and creativity you bring to your roles. May you continue to go from strength to strength in your sacred work. With admiration and gratitude,

Jeffrey Rosen, President and TBJ Board of Trustees

Bronze

Congratulations, Michelle and Abra,

on this well-deserved honor!

Thank you for your dedication to our community and your tireless commitment to inspiring and educating the next generation of Jewish leaders. You have been a constant source of light, wisdom, and joy for our family and so many others.
With love and gratitude,

Debbie & Tony Wolk

Bronze

CONGRATULATIONS ABRA and MICHELE!

Your educational and spiritual imprint on the lives of our TBJ children is a legacy for the future.

Thank you and Bless you always,

The Dreifus Family

Bronze

Mazel tov!

We are so happy and honored to be celebrating both of you and all of your hard work and dedication to TBJ!

With love,

Julie and Frank Cohen & family

Bronze

Mazel tov, Michele and Abra!

With love,

Thelma & Richard Florin and Family

Emerald

Congratulations, Michele and Abra, on being Honored!

From your friends at Emerald Garden

James Opie and all the Emerald Gardeners

Emerald

Michele and Abra,

Our future is brighter because of the love, warmth and energy that you put into caring for our children. Thank you for being passionate and tireless educators - we love you so much!

Love, Cherie Werbeloff, President, and the Women's Association

Emerald

Michele and Abra,

Thank you for educating, loving, cultivating and nurturing our children and family. We would not be us without your indelible imprint on our family. You both represent the very best of Judaism and humanity. You deserve every moment of honor. We love you very much!

The Gewirtz/Rutkin Family: Matt, Lauren, Jake, Talia and Sadie

Emerald

Congratulations Michele and Abra on this very well-deserved honor!

You helped launch Courtney and Kyra in their educational journeys and we appreciate you for your professionalism and dedication to our children!

Jodi and Wayne Cooperman

Emerald

The biggest mazel tov to two women who have shaped - and continue to shape - the lives of each of our children.
We are so grateful to you, Michele and Abra.

Thank you for planting the seeds that have helped Cody, Chloe, Annie, and Brent become who they are today.
You are truly an extension of our family, and we are endlessly thankful for your love, education, support, care, and guidance.

With all our love and admiration, The Bravermans

Emerald

Mazel tov, Michele and Abra!

Thank you for your devotion to our children and our community.

Michael Birnberg, President & The TBJ Brotherhood

Sapphire

MAZEL TOV to our amazing Mom and Mima on this well-deserved honor! We are incredibly proud of you and your unwavering dedication to every child, caregiver, teacher, and staff member who is part of TBJ's ECC community. As your family, we know that everyone in this building is your family, and you are a true role model to all of us and reflect the very best of our community's values. Your warmth fills every classroom and every heart. You lead with compassion, joy, and wisdom. It is really remarkable to consider the magnitude of your impact - you have ushered generations of students and parents throughout this community, and have left an indelible mark on the hearts and minds of thousands.
We are so fortunate to get to learn from you every day. Today we celebrate not only an inspirational preschool director, but the most loving and devoted Mom and Mima we could ever ask for.
We love you so much!
XOXOXO

Love, Amanda, Jordyn, Austyn, Craig & Ira

Sapphire

Michele and Abra,

Wishing you 180 more years of success and devotion to our kids, and to our community!

Love, Amy and Paul

Sapphire

Dear Abra and Michele,

Congratulations on this well-deserved honor. Thank you for decades of extraordinary leadership, love, compassion and commitment to our children, and our community!

With love, The 2025 Gala Chairs & Committee Members

Sapphire

Congratulations, Michele and Abra, on being Honored!

From Dan Poltrock and your friends at Cedar Hill Country Club

Ruby

Michele and Abra,

Mazel tov on this incredible well-deserved honor. Thank you for guiding us all for so many years and educating generations past, present, and future!

With much love and gratitude,

Karen, Liz, & Eloise / The Glazer Perolman Family

Ruby

Michele - To the community, you're a preschool director - but to the hearts you've touched, you're a builder of dreams, a champion of little voices, and a leader who leads with love. Tonight's honor is just a glimpse of the impact you have made.

We are so proud to call you our dearest friend.

Mazel Tov on this well-deserved honor!

With so much love, Andrea & Richard Shapiro, Beth & Richard Levine, Nancy and Kevin Persily

Ruby

Mazel Tov, Michele and Abra!

You have meant so much to our family and the TBJ community. Our kids were shaped by the ECC, Camp TBJ and Religious School. From Short Hills to Israel and back we are so very grateful for all that you do. With love and gratitude,

Jill, Craig, Samantha, Zachary and Isabel Parker

Ruby

Michele and Abra,

Words can't begin to thank you for your dedicated devotion, incredible talent and creativity in ensuring our next generation will embrace their Judaism with love and deep knowledge.

Mazel tov!

Love Linda, Todd and Jesse Levi

Ruby

Mazel tov Michele and Abra! Camp TBJ and the Religious School were such a big part of Alex's life. He was a happy camper, a student, a camp counselor, and a madrich. Thank you for showing him how to be a true light in the world.

Our family could not be more grateful.

Abundant blessings to you both!

Brian, Lisa, and Alex Margulies

Ruby

Mazel tov Michele and Abra!

Thank you for your commitment to our children and to the TBJ community. Your warmth, care, and love truly make TBJ a home.

Love, Miriam, Ben, Yael, Shani, and Lilah Kuritzkes

Ruby

"A woman of valor, who can find, for her worth is far above that of rubies."

Michele Feingold - wife, mother, grandmother, friend, leader/educator extraordinaire - a true woman of valor! Mazel tov, dear friend, on this well-deserved honor!

Love,

Robyn & David Schlossberg, Judy & Dan Schwartz, Robyn Tanne & Jim Higley

Ruby

Dear Michele and Abra,

Mazel Tov on Being Honored! Thank you for your devotion to our community, and your commitment to educating tomorrow's young leaders.

With love & gratitude,

Steven and Nancy Roth

Pearl

"A Good Leader Inspires Others with Confidence in Themselves." -Rambam

To Our Dear Friend, Colleague and Leader, Michele Feingold,
Your dedication, guidance, and unwavering support inspire us everyday. You model what it means to lead with heart, purpose, and kindness. Thank you for helping each of us grow, and for creating a community where children, families and staff all thrive.

And to our colleague and wonderful friend, Abra Lee,
Mazal Tov on this well deserved honor!
Your wisdom, warmth, and love of learning inspires us all!
With love always,

Andrea & Steve Kessler, Andrea & David Welt, Wendy & Layne Moskowitz

Pearl

Many Thanks to Michele and Abra for your passion and guidance to support our communities,
and for continuing to light the path toward a brighter future.
Cheers!... to a well-deserved Honor!

Your Friends at Bernheim Apter Kreitzman Suburban Funeral Chapel

Pearl

Dear Michelle and Abra,

Mazel Tov to two extraordinary educations who have made a difference in so many lives.

With love and tremendous gratitude,

Debbie, Jeremy, Hannah, Abby and Molly Klein

Pearl

Dear Michele and Abra,

Mazel Tov on Being Honored! Thank you for your devotion to our community, and your commitment to educating tomorrow's young leaders.

With love & gratitude,

Genesia, Steve, Anna & Emily Kamen

Pearl

Dear Michele and Abra-

Sending the greatest thanks, hugs and kisses to you both!

Michele: there is no one more dedicated, precise, or caring than you! You know the name of every student and parent in the ECC, can spot a crooked bulletin board from three classrooms away, and somehow also make sure every blueberry at the Blueberry Festival is perfectly juicy for our little ones. I love working alongside you in my second (and sometimes first!) job on the PTO. You make everything run seamlessly (and beautifully), and we're all so lucky to have you!

Abra- thank you for being so dedicated to ensuring our children's religious education is meaningful and fulfilling!! You do everything you can to make the REC engaging, thoughtful, and welcoming! We feel so lucky to have Jackson under your care and can't wait for Noa to join the fun soon, too!

With all our Love, Laura, Paul, Jackson & Noa Giske

Pearl

Dear Michele and Abra,

Mazel Tov on Being Honored!

Thank you for your devotion to our community, and your commitment to educating tomorrow's young leaders.

With love & gratitude,

Jason and Philippa Miller

Pearl

In honor of two exceptional Jewish educators whose dedication, wisdom, mentorship, and kindness have profoundly impacted our family. Thank you for all you do to strengthen our community for future generations.

Mazel Tov!

With love and admiration, Nancy Nelson-Goldsmith and Howard Goldsmith

Pearl

Congratulations Michele and Abra on this well deserved honor! Michele - we are so fortunate to have had you in our corner so many years ago! You told us to give Carly the gift of time and you were so right - even when we didn't want to hear it! Thank you for your words of wisdom and for being the most incredible cheerleader - we are so lucky to have you in our life. The ECC has only continued to grow bigger and brighter because of you. We love you! Abra - thank you for making religious school such an enriching and memorable experience for Carly - especially during the pandemic. Somehow you made what seemed impossible possible and kept everyone engaged and happy! Watching her become a Bat Mitzvah and confirmed at TBJ was something we will never forget and it is in large part due to you. Through Collins, Heritage and LHS - you were always the sweetest and will hold a special place in our hearts forever!!! With Love and Admiration,

Susie, Peter and Carly Polow

Pearl

With admiration for two extraordinary Jewish educators whose dedication, leadership, and unwavering commitment enrich the lives of the families of Temple B'nai Jeshurun. Your devotion to teaching and community strengthens the spirit of TBJ for generations to come. Mazel Tov!

Ricky, Rosy, Frank, Aaron and Jacob Bagolie

Pearl

Dear Abra and Michele,
Our tradition tells us, "Find yourself a teacher, make for yourself a friend..."
To me and so many others, you have been both and much more.
Thank you for your wisdom and friendship. My family and I are endlessly grateful.

With Love, Sarah, Doug, Ben, and Max Silversten

Pearl

Dear Michele, Abra & Clergy Team,

Thank you for creating a home away from home at TBJ. Your dedication, guidance and commitment to our children have shaped their Jewish identity and nurtured their spirits. We are deeply grateful for the time, energy and love you have shared so generously over the years.

Jason, Sara, Sofie, Jacob and Chase Singer

Pearl

In appreciation of the Rabbis, Cantors, Teachers, Educators and All TBJ staff for the wonderful education and events for our children! Mazel Tov to Michele & Abra for their years of dedication and invaluable contributions to that critical mission!

L'Dor Va Dor!

Stefanie & Hadley Feldman

Pearl

Dear Michele & Abra,

Mazel Tov on Being Honored!

With love & gratitude

The Alcosser Family

Pearl

In Honor of Our Incredible Leader, Michele Feingold -

Your dedication, creativity, and warmth nurture not only our children, but all of us who work beside you. Thank you for guiding us with heart, purpose and joy. Your vision has created a place where children flourish and teachers grow.
May you continue to go from strength to strength - me'chayil el chayil - inspiring children, families, and teachers through your compassion and love!

With gratitude and love,

Your Early Childhood Family

Pearl

Dear Abra,

Your guidance, wisdom, and selfless leadership are an inspiration to us all.

Mazel tov!

With Love, Your REC Faculty Past & Present

Messages

Dear Michele and Abra, Mazel Tov on Being Honored! Thank you for your devotion to our community, and your commitment to educating tomorrow's young leaders. With love & gratitude,
Lisa Duggan & Michael Kasdan

Dear Abra and Michele,
Mazel Tov! You mean so much to our family and to our entire TBJ community. Thank you for the immeasurable role you've played in helping our children develop strong Jewish identities, grounded in joy, community, and a deep sense of belonging.
With love, Susie, Steve, Seth and Sarah

Messages

Michele,

Your dedication and accomplishments are inspirational!

With love, Tracy Persily and Brandon Weiss