Golda Och Academy celebrates 60 years
The Golda Och Academy will hold its annual spring gala on June 4, celebrating 60 years of educational excellence and honoring Lori and Steven Klinghoffer of Short Hills, devoted community leaders, philanthropists, and school grandparents.
Since opening as a small start-up co-ed Conservative Jewish day school in 1965, GOA has grown into a premier Pre-K through 12th grade institution, nurturing generations of students who are confident thinkers, compassionate leaders, and proud members of the Jewish community. Throughout its history, the school has remained steadfast in its mission to inspire a lifelong love of learning, a strong Jewish identity, and a commitment to making the world a better place. This year’s gala will honor the vision of its founders, the dedication of teachers, and the passion of students and families who have helped shape the school’s remarkable journey.
“Our 60th anniversary is not only a celebration of how far we have come as a school, but a tribute to the people who made its success possible,” Carrie Zucker Siegel ’92, GOA’s head of school, said. “Lori and Steven Klinghoffer exemplify the spirit of generosity and leadership that defines our community, and their impact will be felt by generations of students to come.”
The Klinghoffers are proud GOA grandparents and respected community leaders. From 2022 to 2025, Mr. Klinghoffer chaired the school’s board. Under his leadership, the school conducted the $20M GO Forward capital and endowment campaign dedicated to supporting faculty excellence, financial aid, student support services, and capital improvements. Mr. Klinghoffer also chairs the Essex County Improvement Authority and is a member of the American-Israel Educational Foundation’s board. He has been a trustee for AIPAC, United Jewish Communities of MetroWest, Temple Beth Ahm Yisrael, the Jewish Agency for Israel, and the New Jersey-Israel Commission.
Since 2009, Ms. Klinghoffer has been on the board of governors of the Jewish Agency for Israel, where she has been chair of the Partnerships Global Network subcommittee, co-chair of the Partnerships Global Council, and Deputy Chair of the Committee for the Unity of the Jewish People. She is immediate past chair of United Israel Appeal and a board member of the Jewish Grandparents Network and the Jewish Democratic Council of America.
The Klinghoffers are both past presidents and general campaign chairs of the Jewish Federation of Greater MetroWest. Their volunteer leadership there began in the 1980s, when Mr. Klinghoffer was president of Jewish Family Service. Ms. Klinghoffer’s work as Israel and Overseas chair and president and campaign chair of Women’s Philanthropy led to national leadership roles for Jewish Federations of North America, where she now is a trustee. The couple also is on the board of the Valcor Engineering Corporation.
“We are humbled to have been chosen as this year’s gala honorees, especially as we celebrate 60 years of the school’s growth and impact,” the Klinghoffers said. “During our journey with Golda Och Academy, we could not be prouder of the nurturing community and environment, which make offering an incredible Jewish education possible. Perhaps more critical today than ever before, the focus on raising a generation of proud, articulate, strong Zionists is a priority we continue to embrace.”
They are the parents of Lisa Buber (Felix) and Rachel Marcus (Noah), and grandparents of Marlo ’28, Theo ’28, Rae ’32, Frayda ’35, and Moshe.
For information, go to www.goldaochacademy.org/gala, email Michael Bressman, GOA’s director of development, at mbressman@goldaochacademy.org, or call (973) 602-3667.