Giving

Annual Fund

The impact of the GOA Annual Fund is everywhere you look.
By providing immediate, unrestricted resources, charitable gifts benefit everyone by enabling us to meet needs and seize opportunities. Anytime. Anywhere.

That's why your gift means everything to our school.

Areas of Impact

ACADEMICS

At GOA, we provide a dynamic education that is responsive to our ever-changing world. New fields of study and innovative modalities of teaching are constantly emerging, which is why Annual Fund gifts are directed to priorities that keep GOA at the forefront of learning.

STUDENT LIFE

Our wide range of extracurriculars provide opportunities for students to explore their unique interests and cultivate their leadership and teamwork skills. The GOA Annual Fund provides resources for athletics, clubs, and other activities that promote their creative and social development outside the classroom.

FINANCIAL AID

The cost of a high-quality Jewish and general studies education is significant, but our commitment to affordability is, too. That's why the Annual Fund supports financial aid, which plays a major role in ensuring that today's classrooms remain filled with students who will become tomorrow's leaders. Each year, roughly $5 million in aid puts GOA within reach for nearly 60 percent of our families.

JEWISH LIFE

The GOA experience is designed to support students throughout the development of their Jewish identity. By providing resources for immersive learning across the spectrum of Jewish life at home and abroad, the Annual Fund helps create opportunities that connect them to their heritage.

CAMPUSES

Physical spaces can help enable high-quality teaching and learning. That's why the GOA Annual Fund plays an important ongoing role in maintaining campuses that match the excellence of our curricula and faculty.

Development Leadership 2025-2026

David Moss
Chair, Board of Trustees

Pamela Davis ’02
Development Chair, Board of Trustees

Dina Wiesen
Annual Fund Chair, Board of Trustees

Mindy Schall ’97
Chair, Major Gifts

Keren ’94 & Aryeh Lebeau
Alison Smith & Marc Glashofer
Co-Chairs, Chai Society

Anne Kroll
Campaign Chair, Parents of Alumni

Merisa Fink ’00
Jared Green
Co-Chairs, Parents Campaign

Naomi Kramer Mullen ’10
Rebecca Landau Shuster ’18
Campaign Co-Chairs, Alumni Society

Ed Zinbarg
Honorary Chair, Grandparents Campaign

Carrie Z. Siegel ’92
Head of School

Contact Our Team

List of 2 members.

  • Photo of Michael Bressman

    Michael Bressman 

    Director of Development
  • Photo of Stephanie Bash-Soudry

    Stephanie Bash-Soudry 

    Director of Institutional Advancement

Learn More

List of 8 frequently asked questions.

  • What is the money raised from the GOA Annual Fund used for?

    These funds support everything we do at GOA every day from academic and teaching excellence to professional development for teachers, extracurricular activities in the arts, sports and STEM. Funds also support experiential Jewish education and a multitude of leadership and enrichment opportunities for our students. The GOA Annual Fund ensures that the school can provide critical affordability and financial aid programs.

  • As current parents who already pay tuition, why is giving to the Annual Fund important?

    Like many other independent schools, annual fundraising bridges the gap between tuition and operating costs. At GOA, tuition does not cover all operating costs. Therefore, an additional $1M needs to be raised on an annual basis to ensure our school continues to deliver an excellent education to each of our students. We strive to achieve 100% parent participation at any level of support. Major donors and foundations look to parent participation as a positive indicator of community engagement and support.

  • Why do we need the support of school alumni?

    We need your help to make sure students of today have the same wonderful Jewish day school experience at SSDS/GOA. Today, more than 50% of our students rely on financial assistance to receive a Jewish day school education. The school provides more than $4 million annually to support financial aid. The GOA Annual Fund also supports alumni outreach programs such as the Alumni Professional Shabbat Dinner, College Alumni Basketball Game, freshman care packages and reunions.

  • Why do we need to give when we have a significant endowment?

    While we are blessed with a large endowment that helps ensure our future, we can only spend 5% of the endowment annually and retain the principle in perpetuity. Endowment income is also highly restricted and primarily funds financial aid and several specific donor-designated areas. Annual fundraising still comprises a critical percentage of our annual operating budget.

  • Are there giving recognition opportunities?

    Each year, events held for The Head of School Circle ($25,000 and above), Major Gifts Society ($5,000-$24,999), and Chai Society ($1,800-$4,999) gratefully recognize our most generous and committed donors.

  • How much should we give to the GOA Annual Fund?

    Any amount that is meaningful to you—whether $18 or $18,000 or anywhere in between—makes a difference and is greatly appreciated.

  • When is my gift due?

    Gifts for the 2024-25 Annual Fund are payable through December 31, 2025. You can make your gift online now at or mail it to: Office of Development, Golda Och Academy, 1418 Pleasant Valley Way, West Orange, NJ 07052. For more information, or to learn about other ways to contribute, please contact Michael Bressman, Director of Development or call 973-602-3667.

  • How do I become more involved?

    We have a team of more than 60 volunteers who help with our fundraising efforts as well as grade captains who communicate with families in their classes and help ensure we have 100% participation from each grade. We are always looking for people who care deeply about Golda Och Academy and are invested in its future. If interested, please contact Michael Bressman.

2023-2024 Impact Report

Wilf Lower School Campus

Eric F. Ross Upper School Campus