Gala Event Journal

M rs. Brenda Willner grew up in Boston and attended the local elementary school there. She furthered her formal Jewish education in Yavneh in Cleveland and finally in Bais Yaakov Seminary in Williamsburg. She began studying at Brooklyn College, planning to major in Biology, but instead moved to Baltimore when she married her husband, Rabbi Zvi Willner. It was at that point that Mrs. Willner began teaching in Bais Yaakov and brought her lifelong love of learning to her classroom where she transmits her passion for Torah to her students each day. Mrs. Willner has been a much beloved and esteemed teacher and administrator in Bais Yaakov for over fifty years. She has immeasurably enhanced the lives of generations of students and it has become a true rite of passage to learn in her classroom. In her inimitable and dignified style, she greets our high school students personally each morning; a living example of kol kvoda bas melech pnima. Involved in every aspect of student and faculty life, Mrs. Willner is an exemplary role model to teachers and students alike. She recognizes the inherent beauty and quiet strength in Jewish women as bnos Melech and encourages all to utilize the talents that Hashem has bestowed upon them to reach their full potential. With a listening ear and a warm heart, Mrs. Willner tirelessly devotes herself to making sure each student has a proper seminary placement. She transforms the often arduous and challenging seminary process into a palatable one in which students feel supported and know they have a staunch advocate who won’t rest until she best meets their unique needs. With her extensive knowledge in all areas of Tanach and a deep ahavas Torah, Mrs. Willner expertly prepares stimulating and engaging lessons on Chumash, Navi and Historia. She develops strong analytical and critical thinking skills in her students, as together, they delve into the text and draw hashkafa from it. She has a special gift of showing students how Torah applies practically to every aspect of their lives. The consummate educator, Mrs. Willner gives her students the tools to be able to learn on their own. Mrs. Brenda Willner MRS. LEAH STEINHARDT A”H CHINUCH HABANOS AWARD The wisdom of Mrs. Leah Steinhardt A”H was legendary. Her breadth of knowledge in all areas of Tanach and her ability to quote the words of chazal and pesukim with ease was exceptional. She was a master educator who truly cared about the wellbeing and success of each of her students. She modeled refinement and decorum and her strength of character, sense of purpose and unfailingness to stand up for what was right was extraordinary.

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