Giving

Annual Gala

Meet our 2024 Featured Speaker & Honorees

NOA TISHBY

2024 Featured Speaker

Noa Tishby is a NY Times best-selling author and Israel’s former Special Envoy for Combating Antisemitism and Delegitimization.

A Tel Aviv native, Tishby served in the Israeli army before landing a starring role on the nation’s highest-rated prime time drama. After becoming a household name in Israel and appearing in numerous TV shows, films, theater productions and fashion campaigns, Tishby moved to Los Angeles, where she sold the Israeli TV show “In Treatment” to HBO, which made history as the first Israeli TV show to become an American series. “In Treatment” was nominated for fourteen Emmy and Golden Globes and won a Peabody Award.

Tishby has been a leader in pro-Israel activism for over a decade, co-founding and initiating several organizations and projects, including Act for Israel, Reality Israel and Eighteen: an institute to combat antisemitism and inspire Jewish pride. She is the author of the New York Times bestseller Israel: A Simple Guide to the Most Misunderstood Country on Earth and is among the best known pro-Israel figures on social and legacy media, her content reaching millions of people daily across all platforms.

Tishby recently announced her second book: Uncomfortable Conversations with a Jew, cowritten with NY Times best-selling author Emmanuel Acho, forthcoming from Simon Element, Simon & Schuster, April 30, 2024

Tishby resides in Los Angeles and she is a proud Jewish mother to her son Ari.

RONEN MEIR

2024 Rabbi Jacob E. Segal (z"l) Award

Ronen Meir has been ensuring the safety and security of Hillel’s students and staff as its Director of Security since 2003. Ronen, who moved from Israel in 2002, is beloved by Hillel’s students, staff, parents, and alumni. Whether patrolling the school, doling out Hershey kisses to the ECC students, or chaperoning Hillel’s eighth grade trip to Israel, Ronen is known for his altruism and, yes, sense of humor. Thanks to Ronen’s tireless efforts, Hillel is considered a model for institutional safety. Hillel owes an invaluable debt of gratitude to Ronen for his unwavering dedication and tireless efforts in safeguarding Hillel, and even more so since the tragic events of October 7. Since then, Ronen has exhibited exemplary leadership, implementing additional security measures and demonstrating a steadfast commitment to the safety and well-being of Hillel’s students, faculty, and staff. Ronen’s vigilance, professionalism, and proactive approach ensure Hillel’s secure and supportive learning environment.

Ronen, a member of the Jewish Community Security Incorporated (JCSI), has completed extensive training programs and holds countless certifications. He served in a special combat unit in Israel, where he was born and raised. Ronen is a graduate of the College of Business in Eilat, Israel with a certificate in PC and Communication Network Technology. In addition to his work at Hillel, Ronen is a part-time Marine Deputy Sheriff and a reserve deputy Sheriff for Oakland County.

Ronen is married to Renae, Hillel’s Director of Facilities and is the proud father of Kelly, Hillel Class of 2016, and step-father to Ashley. When he is not protecting Hillel, Ronen enjoys kite surfing.

The entire Hillel community deeply appreciates Ronen’s dedication to Hillel and is immensely grateful for the sense of security Ronen instills in our students, faculty, staff, and parents. For his indefatigable vigilance, consistent leadership, and for his unwavering dedication to Hillel Day School, we are proud to bestow upon Ronen Meir the Rabbi Jacob E. Segal (z”l) Award.

OWEN ALTERMAN (class of 1991)

2024 Distinguished Alumni Award

Owen Alterman is Senior Correspondent at the Israeli international television channel i24NEWS. In his work, Owen gives wide-ranging commentary across the channel’s broadcasts on the latest in Israeli diplomacy and politics and in international affairs.

During his tenure at the channel, Owen has interviewed foreign prime ministers and foreign ministers and has traveled abroad with both Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Isaac Herzog. His foreign assignments have included, among others, the Trump-Kim summit in Singapore and the signing of the Abraham Accords at the White House.

Prior to joining i24NEWS, Owen served as a research fellow at the Institute for National Security Studies in Tel Aviv and, prior to that, as an associate at Allen & Overy LLP in New York. Owen holds an A.B. (summa cum laude) in Near Eastern Studies from Princeton University and a J.D. from Harvard Law School.

Owen grew up in the Detroit Jewish community where, as examples of his community involvement, he served as president (“aleph godol”) of Michigan Region AZA, was active at Adat Shalom Synagogue, and graduated in Hillel Day School’s Class of 1991. Owen’s parents, Susan and Irwin Alterman z”l, served in leadership positions in the community.

Owen lives in Petah Tikva, Israel, with his wife Talya and their two young children.

List of 3 items.

Silent Auction Sponsors

The Frehsee and Tamaroff Families
Israel Shomrim Sponsors

Mari & Ken Barnett
Penny & Harold Blumenstein
Lisa & Eric Bronstein
Gretchen & Ethan Davidson
Nadine & David Farbman
Terri Farber & Yossi Fleischmann
Susan & David Feber
Niki & Todd Fink
Cathy & Nate Forbes
In Memory of Beatrice and Max & Dina and Herman
Jennifer & Brian Hermelin
Huntington Bank
Kaufman Insurance & Financial Group, Sabrina & Brian Kaufman, Karen & Jerry Kaufman
Sue & Alan J. Kaufman
Lori & Maurice Pogoda
The Schostak Family
Jane & Larry Sherman
Kara & Gabe Schuchman
Telemus Financial Life Management & Fischman Insurance Group
Friend of Hillel Sponsors

Hillel Day School PTO
Shari & Alon Kaufman
Lisa & Danny Kurzmann
Metro Air, Inc. | Jay Levin
Marissa, Ruby, and Dana Ruben