Donna Klein Jewish Academy Celebrates 40 Years as a School at Annual Gala

A celestial evening awaited guests at Donna Klein Jewish Academy’s annual ball, which took place late last month at the Polo Club of Boca Raton. The K-12 school celebrated its 40th anniversary, while paying tribute to three honorees for their exceptional dedication to the school and the community.

 

Since being renamed Donna Klein Jewish Academy in 1987, by Sam Klein after his late wife, DKJA moved to its current location on the Richard and Carole Siemens Jewish Campus, in 1991. Seven years later, a high school was added, and this year Claire and Emanuel G. Rosenblatt High School at DKJA will celebrate its 18th graduating class. 

 

The High School’s 2009 class of graduates also celebrated their 10-year reunion prior to the event, with champagne toasts and plenty of reminiscing. DKJA boasts alumni at prominent institutions such as Princeton, MIT and Dartmouth and claims successful graduates in high profile positions such as Cleveland Browns kicker Greg Joseph, Project Runway fashion designer Alex Snyder and award-winning chef Ben Goldman.

 

The three honorees included Shirley Enselberg, who received the Linda R. Kaminow Visionary Leadership Award. Enselberg was instrumental in the founding of the South County Jewish Community Day School, which eventually became DKJA. 

 

Myrna Gross was given the Lesley Zafran President’s Award for her passion for Jewish education and leadership as President of the Board of Trustees as thoughts of a high school were beginning to emerge. 

 

Finally, Jonathan Louis helped usher in his award’s namesake, the inaugural Jonathan Louis Alumni Award for his steadfast dedication and generosity to his Alma Mater. Louis became the first graduate to enroll his children at the school and has graciously donated his time and talents to DKJA.