Honorees
Jonathan ‘88 & Hili Zimbalist
Jonathan studied at Yeshivat Har Etzion in 1988-1989 and returned in 1993 with Hili, after their wedding, to live on the Yeshiva’s Kollel campus. After learning at the Yeshiva, Jonathan attended the University of Pennsylvania, where he received a Bachelor of Science in economics at The Wharton School and a Bachelor of Arts in international relations at the College of Arts and Sciences. He is currently a partner at Nili Capital, an Israeli based private equity fund.
Hili learned at Bnot Torah and Nishmat and graduated from the University of Pennsylvania. She is a neonatal intensive care nurse having worked at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and Sheba Medical Center. In addition, Hili is a lactation consultant and works with One Family at the soldier rehabilitation unit at Sheba Medical Center.
Hili and Jonathan made Aliyah from Philadelphia in 2016 and live in Raanana where they daven at Ohel Ari. They are the parents of Eyden Zimbalist, who is currently a Shiur Heh student at Yeshivat Har Etzion. In addition to Eyden, their family includes Aleck (Nicola), Meital (Joe ’18) (Ilai), and Maayan.
Jonathan ‘96 & Nechama Price
Dr. Nechama & Jonathan ‘96 Price, accepted this honor in appreciation of the impact that Yeshivat Har Etzion has had on them and their family, especially their son Elisha, who is currently in his Shana Bet at the Yeshiva.
After attending Yeshivat Har Etzion in ’96 and ’97, Jonathan went to Yeshiva University and received Semicha from RIETS. He recently completed four years as President of their shul, Bais Medrash of Bergenfield (BMOB), in Bergenfield, NJ. Jonathan started as an intern, became an actuary and now heads the retirement practice at Segal, a leading HR and benefits consulting firm. He helps companies and organizations in the U.S. and Canada provide solid financial wellness and secure retirement for their people.
Nechama is the Director of Yeshiva University’s Graduate Program for Advanced Talmud and Tanach Studies (GPATS) and teaches Tanach and Halacha at Stern College for Women, where many of her students are alumnae of the Women’s Beit Midrash Program at Migdal Oz. After receiving post-graduate degrees from GPATS (certification), Azrieli Graduate School (MS) and Bernard Revel Graduate School (MA), Nechama received an Ed.D from Azrieli Graduate School focusing her research on the impact of female Torah scholar role models on high school students. She is a certified Yoetzet Halacha, and currently serves communities throughout New Jersey. Nechama is the author of Tribal Blueprints, which analyzes the lives and personalities of the twelve tribes.
Nechama and Jonathan’s proudest achievements are their four children. In addition to Elisha, their family includes Nava (Maayanot, 12th), Ariella (Maayanot, 9th) and Leora (RYNJ, 5th). They greatly appreciate the people and institutions which inspire the fullness of their children’s Torah growth and character, for which Yeshivat Har Etzion and its faculty serve as exemplars.
Rabbi Shmuel & Shari Hain
Rabbi Shmuel & Shari Hain have partnered together, over the past 19 years, to transform YIOZ of North Riverdale/Yonkers into a vibrant community shul. Under their leadership YIOZ has grown exponentially culminating in a recently completed major expansion project, highlighted by the dedication of a new sanctuary, Ohel Yosef, in memory of Yossi Mazurek (YHE ‘10), z”l.
In addition to his work as a pulpit rabbi, Shmuel is a passionate Jewish educator. He serves as Rosh Beit Midrash V’Torah Sheba’al Peh at SAR High School where he chairs the TSBP (Gemara) Department, mentors the Beit Midrash Fellows, and teaches advanced Judaic Studies classes. Dozens of his SAR HS students have gone on to study at Yeshivat Har Etzion and Migdal Oz.
As a community-building rebbetzin, Shari is a trusted resource for all members of YIOZ. She is especially gratified to serve as a Kallah Teacher for young women who have grown up in the shul. Professionally, Shari has worked for the past 22 years as Senior Physician Assistant of the Otolaryngology Department at Mount Sinai West Hospital.
The Hains identify with the mission and values of the Gush, and admire their illustrious Roshei Yeshiva. During his years as Rosh Beit Midrash at YU’s Graduate Program for Women in Advanced Talmudic Studies (GPATS) and as Chair of The Orthodox Forum, Shmuel had the great privilege to learn from, and work closely with, Rav Aharon Lichtenstein, זצ״ל. In recent years, the Hains have hosted and developed close relationships with Rav Mosheh Lichtenstein, Rav Baruch Gigi, Rabbanit Esti Rosenberg, Rabbanit Shayna Goldberg and many other prominent educators from both the Yeshiva and Migdal Oz.
The Hains’ ties with Har Etzion and Migdal Oz run deep. They are the proud parents of Eitan Hain (YHE ‘16) & Shira Wein (MO ‘15), Akiva Hain (YHE ‘19) & Reva Sanders, Judah (YHE ‘23), Nate and Rayli. They are thrilled that their two oldest sons married into Gush families. They are inspired by the Hesder service of their nephew Yoav Sussman (Shiur Hey), a commander in the Tank corps.