Recently, groundbreaking ceremony for the Reich Hebrew Academy, formerly known as The Hebrew Academy, was held.
In attendance were Marlboro Mayor Jon Hornik, Assemblyman Gerry Scharfenberger, Assemblywoman Victoria A. Flynn, Senator Declan O’Scanlon Jr., rabbis from several local synagogues, representatives from the Jewish Federation in the Heart of New Jersey, the school’s professional and lay leadership, alumni and current families, community leaders, representatives of the Marlboro Police Department, and the Macnow and Reich families, among others.
The Reich family, who have spearheaded the project, dedicated the new school name in memory of Samuel and Bertha Reich, Holocaust survivors. Daniel Reich, class of 1998, has been steadfast in his commitment to building a school campus in the community in order to combat rising antisemitism. The Reich Hebrew Academy will raise the bar for Jewish education in New Jersey and far beyond.
Along with the name change, are plans for modernization and expansion which include additional state-of-the-art classrooms, a full-size gymnasium, a commercial-grade Kosher kitchen, a cafeteria, and a sanctuary. Head of School, Yoti Golan shared, “we are not just building walls and rooms, we are building a future.” Maxine Macnow, Chair of the Path to the Future Committee added, “when all this is accomplished, we will have developed a campus where the Jewish community could come together and empower our students and families with additional resources and tools to stand against antisemitism and create deeper bonds with the Jewish community and the State of Israel.”
Golan continued, “now, more than ever, with the rise of rampant antisemitism on college campuses, on social media, and in our own backyard, it is imperative that we keep our Jewish community safe, educated, and connected to Israel. Investment in our children’s futures is paramount if they are to continue to participate in and practice their Jewish faith.”
Marlboro Mayor, Jonathan Hornik stated, “Reich Hebrew Academy has been a valued part of our Marlboro Community since 1979. The school has grown in size, but the goals and mission have never waivered; to provide an integrated general and Judaic curriculum that maintains a high quality of education in a challenging and supportive environment aimed at cultivating well-educated and ethical individuals.”
The Reich Hebrew Academy will remain true to the principles which have guided it since its founding in 1979. Its student body includes children of all Jewish affiliations from 33 hometowns. It is the only non-Yeshiva day school in Monmouth, Middlesex, Mercer, Ocean, and Somerset Counties. Reich Hebrew Academy will prepare the Jewish leaders of tomorrow with a solid foundation to combat whatever will challenge them in the future. Whether it is antisemitism on the college campus, in the workplace, or in the community, Jewish education is essential to its existence.
