Alitta Irwin, or ‘Savta Litty’ as she is affectionately known, has been a proud part of the Jewish Educational Center family for nearly 60 years.  Savta Litty has children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren who have attended and graduated from JEC schools.  In fact, the family and Mr. Joel Glazer - Bruriah’s famed American History teacher - made history themselves a number of years ago when they became the first ever three-generation student-teacher combination with Shari Irwin, her daughter Yaffa Faleck and her daughter Aliza Walzman all graduating Bruriah after learning from Mr. Glazer.  Savta Litty proudly celebrated with her great-grandson JJ last year when he graduated JEC Middle School before moving on to the JEC High School and in just a few weeks, Savta Litty hopes to celebrate with her great-grandsons Gavi and Eli as they graduate the JEC High School and Middle School respectively.  

Savta Litty has 6 children, 18 grandchildren, and 37 great-grandchildren who live throughout the United States, in Australia, and Israel.  Fridays are spent on the phone Facetiming Shabbat Shalom with almost all of them!

Alitta was born into a home that was infused with the practice of Jewish traditions, the immersion in Hebrew language and the love of the land of Israel.  Her father was the founder and dean of Herziliya, the premier Hebrew Teachers’ Institute in New York City. The important themes of Judaism, Zionism, and love of the Hebrew language were echoed in the homes she shared with her beloved husband, David Zauder, z”l, in Brooklyn and Clifton, and then with her beloved husband, Abraham Irwin, z”l in Passaic and West Orange.  They were ardent supporters of both the day schools and shuls of their communities and their beloved State of Israel.

Alitta enjoys art classes, knitting, needlepointing, swimming, reading the Wall Street Journal cover to cover and playing Rummi-Kub.  But her favorite activity is spending time with her family!