Joy Avitan, Teacher of the Year

We are honored to acknowledge Joy Avitan as Educator of the Year, for her eleven years of service as our dedicated Judaic studies teacher.

Joy was raised in Woodmere, L. I., by her parents Anna and Asher J. Matathias of Greek Jewish descent. Her father was born in the midst of the Holocaust, surviving by hiding with his family in a mountain cave. Our honoree graduated from SUNY Albany with a B.A., and received a joint Master’s degree in Linguistics from Hebrew University and University of Liverpool, UK. She has lived in Israel and is fluent in Hebrew, Greek, and English.

Her dedication to Jewish continuity is exemplified both inside and outside of the classroom.  Joy teaches Hebrew enrichment and Torah stories in the school’s early childhood division and each Shabbat she assists in the program run by Toby Einsidler. Joy often encourages and brings friends and families to participate in this “hands on” Shabbat program.

She has been involved in the Sephardic Educational Center, UJA, JEP, and B’nai Brith and is an active member of the Manhattan Sephardic Congregation and hosts monthly Torah class in her home.

Joy’s husband, Peri Avitan, an engineer and founder of CCI-Systems, provides technological solutions to Healthcare facilities. They have two beautiful children: five year old daughter Raquel, and two year old son Daniel-Asher. Both attend the Rabbi Arthur Schneier Park East Day School.

Mh- New York Jewish Guide.com