30 | JULY 11 • 2024 
J
N

A

pproximately 750 people 
gathered at Hillel Day School’s 
Annual Gala, themed Israel 
and Hope, on May 19. 
In keeping with the theme, Ronen 
Meir, Hillel’s director of security, 
received the Rabbi Jacob E. Segal (z’l) 
Award for his more than 21 years of 
unwavering dedication and tireless 
efforts ensuring the highest level of 
safety and security at Hillel. 
Owen Alterman, Hillel Class of 1991 
and senior diplomatic correspondent 
for i24NEWS in Israel, received the 
Distinguished Alumni Award. 
Noa Tishby, two-time New York 
Times bestselling author, former Special 
Envoy for Combating Antisemitism 
and Delegitimization and a leader in 
pro-Israel activism, shared her wealth 
of knowledge as the evening’s featured 
speaker. 
Guests enjoyed an evening filled with 
an exciting silent auction, a strolling 
dinner, and pre-glow meet-and-greet 
with Tishby for major donors, all 
within the beautiful campus. 

The evening’s program included the 
Detroit Shinshinim singing “Hatikvah,” 
eighth-grader Noa Feinberg singing 
the “Star-Spangled Banner,” fourth-
grader Alma Soleimani leading the 
Avinu Shebashamayim, the Prayer for 
the State of Israel, and eighth-grade 
speaker Talya Horwitz, whose remarks 
highlighted the 195,870 miles that her 
parents have driven between Windsor, 
Canada, and Hillel Day School over the 
last 10 years to ensure that Talya and 
her siblings received a Hillel education 
and were instilled with a commitment 
to Judaism, Zionism and Jewish values. 
Tishby touched on important 
issues surrounding the current rise of 
antisemitism and advocating for Israel. 
She also recognized the incredible 
strength of the Detroit Jewish 
community as her ally in pro-Israel 
activism. 

Hillel’s Annual Gala directly enables Hillel to fulfill 

its mission of helping families provide a Hillel 

education to their children. If you would like to 

honor Ronen, Owen or support Hillel, go to www.

hillelday.org/giving.

Hillel Day School 
Shines at its Gala

PHOTOS BY BRETT MOUNTAIN

faces&places

Featured speaker Noa 
Tishby with Owen 
Alterman

Detroit Shinshinim 
sing “Hatikvah.” 

Owen Alterman received the 
Distinguished Alumni Award.

Ronen Meir receiving the Rabbi Jacob 
E. Segal Award from Dr. Darin Katz

Ronen Meir, Noa Tishby, Owen 
Alterman and Dr. Darin Katz

Eighth-grade 
speaker Talya 
Horwitz

