Elana and Sagi Genger

Elana and Sagi Genger met in Kindergarten when they both attended Morah Debbie’s class at Ramaz.  The two then spent the next 12 years ignoring each other.  The couple began dating after graduating from Ramaz in 1990.  

After high school Elana attended college and spent a year in Israel at Bar-Ilan University and Tel-Aviv University.  Sagi enlisted in the Israeli Army after graduation.  Upon completion of his service, Sagi attended the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania where he received his BA and MBA. 

Sagi and Elana married in 1997.  Sagi began his career in finance while Elana pursed an MBA at the Stern School of business.  The couple followed an interesting job opportunity to Israel where they lived until their first child was born.  Sagi and Elana now have four children all of whom have attended or currently attend the Chabad Early Learning Center.

The warmth of the Chabad of the Westside community has been an important part of the Genger family’s life. 

Danny and Naava Eckstein

Danny and Naava Eckstein had been searching for a shul that would remind them of their own hometown shuls and communities - a place to belong and to get involved.

Upon entering Chabad of the West Side, they knew their search was over. Despite the small space the place felt grand and more importantly warm. Every week they were greeted with Shabbat wishes from Rabbi Kugel, Rabbi Ossey, and Rabbi Fried and knew they had found a shul where the rabbis knew who they were and cared.

When their daughter Victoria was born, they named her at the shul and realized that Chabad would not only be their place to Daven, but the Chabad Early Learning Center would be a home away from home for their daughter.

Danny and Naava have been instrumental in helping to enlarge the Chabad community.  They have opened their  home to a shiur every week and helping to plan various Friday night dinners that are aimed at getting young and old, single and married, involved in the shul and in the community.  Naava  spearheaded a program to provide meals to new mothers and their families.  Their outgoing personalities make all feel welcome at Chabad and they make sure that a new face is welcomed and feels wanted.

Danny  traveled far from Melbourne, Australia before coming to New York City in September 2001.  He met Naava in December of that year and knew that he would make his life in NYC.  He himself is a product of the Chabad community and yeshiva in Melbourne.  He currently works for Royal Wine Corp (Kedem).

Naava is originally from Monsey, NY.  After graduating  from Queens College she moved to New York City. She currently works at Fein Property Management Corp, her family owned real estate business.

Sarah Abrahamson
Educator of Excellence Award

Morah Sarah was born in Omaha, Nebraska where she was home schooled with her younger brother Yosef until she left to attend Seminary in Crown Heights, Brooklyn. 

Sarah's education was unique in that during her early years it included along with her secular and religious studies, mentoring by news anchors and investigative reporters while her mother was employed with the Omaha ABC News affiliate KETV. 

Sarah later moved on with her Mom to the political world where she has worked on Campaigns for Mayors, Congressmen, Governors, Senators and one President. At 16 she was an assistant to the former Nebraska Governor Mike Johanns and acted as his hostess during his Inauguration. A 19 she Interned for Congressman Lee Terry and became not only the first Jew, but the first Jewish young woman to be selected to be a Page for the 2004 Presidential Republican National Convention that took place in New York. 

Sarah is still active in Nebraska Politics while working in her interest and passion for early childhood education, which led her to Chabad Early Learning Center four years ago. She feels privileged that she has had the opportunity to learn and hone her skills while working with Morah Suri.