Hello from Schechter Queens!

On behalf of the Solomon Schechter School of Queens welcome to 2016!

Whether you are a recent graduate, or one from a few decades ago, we hope you will remain a prideful member of SSSQ’s alumni community. Our alumni involvement is critical to the school's continued success not only because you are positive representatives of the school, but also because of the wonderful support our alumni bring to SSSQ. We are extremely proud of you and all you are doing as you continue on your paths through life mindful and celebrating the education and grounding you received as our students.

SSSQ alumni link the past with the future, and we welcome your involvement with the school and continued connection. Here are some ways to ensure you remain part of our family:

- attend reunions and alumni events
- share what’s going on in your life for the monthly news e-mail
- e-mail your Class Note for the Newsletter (family pictures too!)
- share career highlights on our website's "Spotlight on Alumni"
- make a donation to our annual campaign
- update your personal information here

We encourage you to stay in touch with classmates! If you have suggestions for alumni events in your area or ideas for improving communication, please let us know by contacting the Office of Alumni Relations, or any member of the school administration. We do want to hear your thoughts and suggestions.

When alumni stay engaged it gives everyone reason to celebrate. Your connection to your alma mater ensures that Schechter will remain true to fulfilling its mission of providing education of value and excellence to future students. Hope you’ll stay in touch with us!

Together, we can increase our outreach and expand our alumni community and involvement connecting with SSSQ alumni living around the world. Let’s ensure that the alumni perspective is incorporated and heard as SSSQ moves into its 6th decade!

Please be sure to keep SSSQ updated on your whereabouts so we can keep you informed of the exciting events and programs organized for you. Hope to meet many of you at future alumni events, and wish you all the very best in your future endeavors.

Naomi R. Horowitz
Alumni Coordinator
Office of Alumni Relations
[email protected]
(718) 591-9800 ext. 323

 

 

Director at White Cube

Sara is an art dealer and independent curator in New York City. In addition, Sara is Founder/Chairman of The Professional Organization of Women in the Arts - POWArts a membership-based association founded in 2008, to help advance women in the business of art. POWArts promotes the professional and personal advancement of their members through educational programming, professional leveraging opportunities and community service initiatives.

Sara's mission in life is to present beautiful things, have a positive outlook and be generous and gracious. "I can't say there was something that resonated early on career wise in a singular or straightforward sense that led me to where I am now. I had the passion, an intense work ethic and sought out the best experiences and people to learn from. I have been in the arts since childhood and my mother is an artist. That's where the passion comes from. I didn't want to be an artist, so I went the business route. When I was too young to work, I volunteered. When I was in college, I found internships during the school year and over summers - one in particular that led to my first full time paid job. I have had many important people in my life that have acted as mentors/supporters and championed me along the way. I never felt I was entitled to their support, I wanted to earn it. I often worked 2-3 jobs at once to learn as much as I possibly could. I worked my tail off and still do. I don't think career success (according to my definition which is pretty broad) necessarily comes from any single place, and less often from a single job. At its heart, I believe there needs to be clear vision, unwavering focus and a ton of hard work. And the wisdom to know what you don't know much about, and you should learn from the best of the best around you. And if you're lucky (and grateful) people will support you with both their time and smarts. I was willing to start at the bottom, do whatever I needed to do (all the nitty gritty included), learn from others, and build slowly and strategically. I say "thank you" often and include the people who supported me in the past, in my present and plans for future. Gratitude goes a long way. Individualism is outdated, especially among women. That's why POWArts is so important to me. It was started by a community of women, for a community of women and supported by both genders. Hard work, good choices, community, gratitude and generosity resonate with me today. I probably wasn't as conscious of those particulars nearly 20 years ago when I first entered the work force, but they are what guide me today."

Sara was recently awarded the Woman of Exception Honor by Parmigiani Fleurier, a tribute given to exceptional women honoring their accomplishments - for Sara, the art business. The title has nothing to do with celebrity or status rather it is a distinction that recognizes women who achieved something very exceptional in life and in the business world. The award is a celebration of authentic, creativity and selflessness, lauding those women who have been architects of their own success, a success they have shared with those less fortunate. They are women who are not out for themselves and are anything but egotistical, instead pursuing what they do for the sheer joy of it.

In her acceptance speech, Sara gave some background to exactly why she does what she does. "I'm lucky to be where I am, I have a career, a house, a bank account ... there are so many out there who have more skill than me, who are more intelligent, more driven, but most haven't been given the same opportunities. They're the people I want to help." When I founded POWArts it was never about me. It was never about us as individuals. So when I get an award like this it doesn't feel like it's just mine. For me, it's about the organization. Yes, it's about my achievements, which is lovely, but what's more interesting for me is that this organization is thriving and is being recognized - that's wonderful. I love the fact that Parmigiani celebrates very normal women; I'm not a supermodel, I'm not in film, I'm a kid from New York that worked really hard, had a clear vision and went for it. I want to keep doing that, so when I have support like this it certainly gives me an extra boost. Becoming well known is just a side-effect of standing out, not the reason for doing so."

Below are links to some ariticles that may be of interest

http://www.luxworldwide.com/magazine/watches-and-jewellery/lux-news-parmigianis-new-woman-exception/

http://www.thewatches.tv/en/editorial/woman-of-exception-initiative-by-parmigiani-fleurier/

Dina Zipkin '00 and Kyle Scherder (pictured right) on their wedding October 18. Many SSSQ alumni friends attended the wedding: Dina sisters, Aviva Zipkin Cuperstein '94 and Shoshana Zipkin Iannello '96, as well as: Alexandra Ozeri '98, Shira Segev '00, Yael Notkin-Kadar '00, Mazi (Yasoboof) Hanono '01, Elaine Gueron '00, Malka (Lesnik) Belgrod '00, Jessica Schonfeld '00, Amanda (Mushibayev) Shimunov '00, Lauren Abramowitz '99, Miriam (Weinberg) Janov '95, Julia Weinberg '95, and Judith Tesler '95.

 

 

 

Adam Weiler and Nika Buklova (pictured left) on their marriage.

Lee Landor '99 and Justin Marr who were married September 1. The wedding took place in Nes Harim, right outside of Jerusalem.

Matthew Reiman and Simone Strauss on their engagement.

Amy Panzok '01 and Gilad Harel on their engagement.

 

 

Yoel Dusi '13 (pictured above) gave a presentation to SSSQ middle school students on DNA and genetics. Over the summer, Yoel interned at a lab in Harlem studying DNA.


Peggy Gad Dahan '87 (pictured above) of Siderow Organization was profiled in Real Estate Weekly , November 25, 2015.

Rachel Klager Goldberg '93 who completed her MBA studies at Baruch College.

We welcome your feedback about this newsletter. Please share your comments and suggestions with us by sending an e-mail to Naomi at [email protected]

We regret any errors or omissions.