The Teach NJ Annual Legislative Dinner, which took place at Congregation Ahavath Torah in Englewood, included a one-hour program, with one New Jersey legislative leader speaking at the start, Deputy New Jersey Assembly Speaker, Assemblyman Gary Schaer and another speaking at the conclusion, New Jersey Senate Democratic Conference Chair and Senate Education Committee Chair, Senator Vin Gopal.
Ma’ayanot commemorated Yom HaShoah with an emphasis on the heroism, courage and legacies of students’ relatives who survived the atrocities of the Holocaust. Students were honored to hear the stories of Henry Schanzer and Dr. Bernard Schanzer, twin brothers, the grandfather and great uncle of sophomore Raimee Schanzer. The brothers’ story of survival was a poignant and emotional reminder that even during the Holocaust there were righteous gentiles who protected Jews on the run. The brothers shared stories of their escape from Belgium and their “new life” of hiding in the South of France, where they lived with Adolphine Dorel and survived the war under her care. The twins formed a strong and affectionate bond with Dorel whom they called La Meme. After the war, the twins were reunited with their mother and sister who survived as well. Together they moved to the U.S. and settled on the Lower East Side. Their mother worked hard to rebuild their family and always stressed the im