GOA takes stand at pride festival

GOLDA OCH ACADEMY’S Gay-Straight Alliance took a stand at the North Jersey Pride Festival by sponsoring a booth at the May 9 event in Maplewood’s Memorial Park. GOA participants were among 3,000 attendees who gathered in support of the LGBTQ community.

GSA copresidents and founders Larissa Rosenberg of West Orange and Dana Dobrowski of Short Hills were joined by faculty adviser Lori Jaffe, Parent Association president Jessica Wise, and lower school program coordinator Gena Rosenberg.

Newark Mayor Cory Booker stopped by the festivities and addressed the gathering.

According to Jaffe, GSA members are determined to make GOA a safe and comfortable environment — not just for LGBTQ youth, but for all of those who may be discriminated against. Jaffe said that the alliance has made a meaningful impact on the school community; its members participated in a National Day of Silence in support of LGBTQ youth on April 19, and students presented a program at the annual high school Shabbaton weekend.

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