Last Thursday night, the Torah Academy community came together at the Radisson Blu Mall of America to celebrate a remarkable milestone: the school’s 80th anniversary. With nearly 400 attendees, the event was a vibrant and heartfelt tribute to the school’s enduring legacy—and its promising future.
The evening began with a moving tribute to Mrs. Louise Halek, who is retiring after an extraordinary 40 years of teaching. Her career spans half of the school’s history, and honoring her dedication served as a powerful reminder of the passion and commitment that have shaped Torah Academy for generations.
Guests then enjoyed a grateful video salute to the Mall of America, recognizing its ongoing support and meaningful partnership with the school.
The evening then took a lively turn with a round of “Trivalry,” hosted by Boruch Perlowitz. Attendees enthusiastically competed in trivia covering school history and fun facts—from the year Torah Academy moved into its current building and how much it cost, to the most common last name among students today. One of the highlights? Rabbi Meir Smith proving he still had his “Color War game” after all these years. The interactive game brought the room together with laughter, pride, and a shared sense of community.
A standout moment of the program was a short documentary recounting the monumental effort to acquire the school’s building in 1982. The story of Louis Herman’s role as a pivotal anchor donor struck a deep chord, capturing the faith and resolve that made the dream a reality.
Smiles and laughter followed with a special music video from Jeff Victor, which also cleverly hinted at Torah Academy’s very soon-needed building expansion.
A video tribute to the school’s faculty was both emotional and uplifting—honoring the teachers whose consistency, care, and quiet heroism have been the heartbeat of Torah Academy for the past 80 years.
The program concluded with an inspiring address by Rabbi Nate Segal of Torah Umesorah, who urged the audience to stay optimistic through challenges and to always remember the sacred mission of supporting every Jewish child. His message left the room feeling energized and united.
After the program, guests enjoyed a beautiful dessert reception sponsored by Huntington Bank—a perfect close to a meaningful night of celebration, connection, and vision.
More than just an anniversary, the gala was a powerful reminder of Torah Academy’s past, a celebration of its present, and a promise for its future—rooted in community, education, and unwavering faith.
