And the Honorees Are...
 

Elana Prezant
Elana Prezant is a devoted leader, volunteer, and advocate whose life reflects a deep commitment to family, community, and the Jewish people. Her journey of service at Schechter Bergen began as an enthusiastic and dedicated class parent for her oldest daughter, Stephanie, and continued long after her youngest child, Jacqueline, graduated in 2010. What began as joyful involvement grew into a lasting commitment rooted in connection and purpose.

Elana served on countless committees and chaired many of the school’s significant initiatives, including the Annual Breakfast, Auctions, Galas, and Holiday Foods Committee. She continues to play a central role in the school through her leadership of the annual Israel Night, which supports the eighth-grade Israel trip and is held in loving memory of her daughter, Stephanie z”l (‘04).

Elana’s passion for community extends far beyond Schechter Bergen. For many years, she served on the Board of Directors of the Kaplen JCC, where she led and supported programs including Holocaust education, Judaic programming, Early Childhood, fundraising, the Rubin Run, and the Maccabi Steering Committee. Following the tragic events of October 7, she devoted herself to supporting Israel and Israelis - engaging in advocacy efforts, participating in the weekly hostage walk in Central Park, assisting Nova survivors, and welcoming Israelis through the JCC’s Heart to Heart program. She also helped bring meaningful communal programs to life, including a powerful interview with Eli Sharabi, and led a delegation of 25 community members on a volunteer mission to Israel to bear witness and stand in solidarity. Prior to October 7, she spent eight years leading Open Hearts Open Homes, a transformative program supporting Israeli teens affected by terrorism.

Zionism has always been a cornerstone of the home Elana and her husband Jeff have built together. Their family’s strong bond with Israel is reflected in their children’s journeys: their son, Jonathan, who is married to an Israeli, lived in Israel for seven and a half years, and their youngest daughter, Jacqueline, has resided in Tel Aviv for the last almost eight years. Elana’s life is defined by devotion, gratitude, and purpose, inspiring all who have the privilege of knowing her.


Dr. Ilana Kustanowitz
Dr. Ilana Kustanowitz, warmly known as “Dr. Ilana”, has been an integral and deeply trusted member of the Schechter Bergen community since 2007, dedicating over 18 years to nurturing the emotional well-being, resilience, and growth of our students. She has helped shape a school culture that prioritizes empathy, self-awareness, and emotional health, creating an environment where well-being is foundational to learning. In her role as School Psychologist, she is a steady and compassionate presence for students, families, and faculty, bringing expertise, insight, and care to every interaction.

Dr. Ilana earned her Bachelor of Arts from the University of Pennsylvania, double-majoring in Psychology and Jewish Studies, and went on to receive her doctorate in School Psychology from Fordham University. Her professional philosophy is informed by research in positive psychology, particularly the study of character strengths. She believes that every child is uniquely equipped to navigate their mental health by understanding and building on their individual strengths. Rather than focusing solely on challenges, she emphasizes recognizing what is strong within each child and using those strengths as a foundation for resilience, confidence, and well-being.

We are deeply grateful to Dr. Ilana for her 18+ years of dedication, leadership, and care. Her impact is felt in countless moments of guidance, reassurance, and growth, and her contributions will continue to shape our Kehillah for years to come.


Justin Yehuda '15
Justin Yehuda, a proud alumnus of Schechter Bergen, embodies the core values of a Schechter education: thoughtful Judaism, principled leadership, and a deep commitment to the Jewish people and the State of Israel. From his formative years at Schechter, Justin developed a strong Jewish identity and a sense of responsibility to kehillah that continue to guide his life and work.

Justin remains actively connected to the Schechter Bergen community as the founder and co-chair of the annual Alumni Erev Iyun (Learning Event), held in loving memory of Rabbi Fred Elias z”l. Through this initiative, he brings alumni together for meaningful Torah learning, reflection, and connection, strengthening bonds across generations.

Justin is the founder of Iron Dome Coffee, a nationally scaled, mission-driven online coffee company that donates 18% of its profits to wounded Israeli soldiers through Belev Echad, an organization dedicated to rehabilitating Israel’s heroes in their time of greatest need. Since its founding, the company has served tens of thousands of customers nationwide, demonstrating how Jewish values, entrepreneurship, and moral clarity can be translated into sustained, real-world impact. You can find out more information at irondomecoffee.com.

In addition to his entrepreneurial work, Justin is a speaker and author who focuses on Jewish identity, Zionism, and values-based leadership in the modern world. Through his work, he engages both Jewish and non-Jewish audiences in thoughtful dialogue grounded in conviction, responsibility, and purpose.

Schechter Bergen is proud to honor Justin Yehuda for his leadership, initiative, and unwavering dedication to Israel, the Jewish people, and the values instilled through a Schechter education.


Morah Elyse Stein
Morah Elyse Stein, is retiring after more than 30 years of dedicated service at Schechter Bergen. Known for her warmth, attentiveness, and unwavering commitment to the growth of every student, she has been a beloved presence in the school community.

Morah Elyse’s name is synonymous with Schechter Bergen’s Early Childhood, and in this space, she shared her incredible devotion, teaching over 600 Schechter Bergen students and alumni. Whether offering one of her signature hugs, whispering encouraging words of wisdom, or laughing with her colleagues as she greeted everyone in the hallways, Morah Elyse’s presence will be deeply missed. As she embarks on this next chapter, she leaves us knowing that her legacy of warmth and care has shaped and touched countless students and families, and she will always be cherished by our community as a whole.