AJA Hosts Night of Honors
The academy honored Educator of the Year Rebecca Hemperley and Rabbi Daniel Estreicher.
On Jan. 26, Atlanta Jewish Academy held a night of honor for two deserving honorees: 2024’s Educator of the Year, Rebecca Hemperley, who started at AJA as a student teacher in 2017, and the long-serving Rabbi Daniel Estreicher, who started at what was then the Yeshiva High School of Atlanta 50 years ago.
A sense of joy permeated the night, a very appropriate emotion according to Renée Kutner, who noted a particular thing both honorees had in common.
“Have you ever not seen Rabbi E or Ms. Hemperley smiling?” she said.
“Mrs. Hemperley, since joining AJA in 2017, you have gone above and beyond for your students in this school,” said Dr. Chanie Steinberg, President of AJA Board of Trustees. “You gave generously of your time, staying after school for students who need extra support. Beyond being an exceptional teacher, you are an incredible team player and true cheerleader for AJA. Your commitment and positivity make a lasting impact, and we are so fortunate to have you as part of our community.”
Students and staff shared several stories about Hemperley and her passion for teaching math, and dedication to her students as a whole. Two of her fellow educators, Robyn Cooper and Dr. Missy Rivner, created a mathematical theorem that Hemperley was the ultimate teacher of the year, and guided the audience through an entire, over-a-dozen-step proof.
Hemperley herself, who noted that teaching was a passion, a “lifelong journey of learning and growth,” noted that the honor of the night was not hers alone.
“It belongs to the remarkable students who motivate me with their curiosity and resilience,” she said, “It belongs to my fellow educators who continue to share ideas, encouragement, and unwavering dedication. It belongs to the families, and community members, who trust us to guide and nurture the next generation.”
She also noted the importance of the rabbi she was sharing the night with.
“I am so honored to share part of this evening with such an incredible and outstanding educator, Rabbi E,” Hemperley said. “His legacy and dedication are an inspiration to all teachers. Mazel Tov, Rabbi E, on this well-deserved recognition.”
Rabbi Estreicher was honored for his 50 years of dedication to the Atlanta Jewish community by a whole host of former students, relatives, and colleagues, including his son, Rabbi Naftali Estreicher, who gave the d’var torah for the evening, and Rabbi Adam Starr of Ohr Hatorah, who teaches part-time at AJA.
“Yes, Rabbi Estreicher has been 50 years, but there are many more important numbers than the 50 years,” said Starr, “It’s the hundreds and hundreds of students, and the thousands of thousands of offspring from those students, who will carry on the tradition and love of Torah and mitzvot, thanks to our Rebbe.”
The true scale of that became evident from the many speakers who had deep ties to Rabbi Estreicher. Dr. Steinberg, who also had learned from Rabbi Estreicher as a student at Atlanta Hebrew Academy and Yeshivah Atlanta in the 1980s, walked through how multiple members of her family, from her father to her stepbrothers, and now her children, had all learned with or from Rabbi Estreicher.
“He has not just taught Judaics,” said Daniel Cohen, Yeshiva Atlanta, Class of ’96, “he has taught how to care for others, how to open your heart, and how to be a better Jew.”
As Rabbi Estreicher approached the stage, the entire crowd rose and applauded, before he gave a detailed history of his relationship with the school. It had been his first position as a teacher of Torah. He had, in his own words, “accepted the position based on the advice of a friend who had held the position before him. And upon asking this friend if he should take the job, he told him ‘Yes, it’s a good first position.’”
The crowd laughed. He then went on to compliment his wife, Bluma, whom he noted he could not have accomplished anything without. As he left the stage, the crowd rose again, and many of his students began to sing.
Immediately afterward, Dr. Rebecca Winter announced the conclusion of an effort in Rabbi Estreicher’s honor, led by Alexa Szegedi.
“To pay tribute to the Torah that Rabbi E has given us,” said Dr. Winter, “98 of Rabbi E’s colleagues, friends, family, and most importantly, his students, have collectively learned all 525 tractim of mishnah.”
Six sets of school alumni, Rabbi E’s former students, and their children, Rabbi E’s current students, representing the six parts of the mishnah, took the stage, leading a conclusion of study, each taking a couple minutes to share a part of what they’d learned.
As soon as they had finished, Rabbi Estreicher joined them on stage, celebrating the conclusion of study by dancing – as he is known to love to do – for nearly an hour, with three full generations of his students and colleagues, before engaging in the traditional celebratory meal.
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