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EAST WINDSOR: Gala celebrates Shalom Torah Academy

   Shalom Torah Academy, of East Windsor, celebrated its Gala Benefit Brunch at the Holiday Inn of East Windsor on June 9.
   In a jam-packed banquet hall, friends, former students, faculty, former faculty, and current and former parents from near and far represented a diverse spectrum of supporters from over two decades of allegiance to Shalom Torah Academy, according to a press release from the academy.
   ”The moment that I walked into the hotel, I was overcome by the electric atmosphere. Students of many different ages were reminiscing with each other and former teachers about the wonderful times and experiences that they had in Shalom,” Rabbi Yisroel Merkin, the school’s director of community relations, said. “The smiles on their faces told the story of how magical Shalom truly is.”
   Shalom Torah Academy is a Jewish Day school in East Windsor that has served the Jewish community of Central Jersey since 1984.
   Rabbi Merkin opened the gala by describing the close relationships that Shalom students have with each other and with their teachers. He challenged the parents and alumni to get involved and to become Shalom’s ambassadors throughout the world.
   During the gala, participants recognized Rabbi and Mrs. Menachem Chinn, of East Windsor, as guests of honor. Rabbi Chinn has taught in the school for the last 15 years, and he and his wife were recognized for their dedication to the school and the Twin Rivers community.
   Dr. Craig and Paula Ostroff were recognized as parents of the year, and Moshe Starkman and Ethan Lippman (Class of 2002) received the honor of alumni of the year. Leon Goldenberg and his wife, Agi, received an award for their dedication to Shalom. Shawlom Francis, a behavioral therapist, also received an award.
   ”After seeing all the amazing alumni and dedicated teachers, I walked away with a sense of pride and confidence,” Rabbi Merkin said. “I agree with Mr. Goldenberg that we are fighting a war today and the outlook doesn’t look promising. But with a school like Shalom leading the charge, with the foundations of Jewish pride and identity that they imbue in their students, I feel the tide may quickly start to turn in our favor and we will be victorious.”