More than four decades since it first opened its doors with a dual mission of providing students with a top notch education and a strong Jewish identity, Shalom Torah Academy continues to maintain its high standards of excellence as it kicks off the 2017 – 2018 school year.

It was Rav Shneur Kotler z’l who took the first steps in creating a day school that would serve central New Jersey’s large unaffiliated Jewish population by having caring educators offering a well rounded, top notch curriculum in an exceptionally warm environment. With Rabbi Yisroel Kellner taking the lead on the project, the school taught its first classes in 1974 in a building located on a farm donated by Solomon Rieder. Two generations later, that tradition continues in a state of the art building in Morganville, with an enrollment of over 150 children taking part in an outstanding program where a love of yiddishkeit and appreciation of mitzvos are as fundamental as learning the ABC.

There was an overwhelming need for an Orthodox Jewish day school in the area, explained board member Avrumi Rieder, who is continuing in his father’s footsteps as a passionate supporter of the yeshiva.

“When the school was created there was a huge vacuum for Jewish education and identity for kids growing up in the area and Shalom has been filling that void for 40 years,” said Rieder.

That need continues today and, in fact, Shalom Torah Academy is the only Orthodox day school in the Marlboro area which more than 35,000 Jewish residents, most of whom know little of their religious roots.

“There are literally hundreds of children who became observant through Shalom and our student body continues to grow,” noted chairman of the board Leon Goldenberg. “90 percent of the graduates in our most recent class went on to yeshiva high schools and if we can keep them in yeshiva through high school we can pretty much guarantee that they will stay observant.”

General studies principal Aviva Hoberman, who worked in the Marlboro public school system for over twelve years, brought a wealth of experience with her to Shalom, with students enjoying a high level program that is both challenging and exciting. Educating children in today’s distraction-filled high tech world is no easy task, observed executive director Rabbi Nachman Greenwald.

“All of our classrooms have smart boards,” said Rabbi Greenwald. “We have robotics lab and two computer labs. The only way to combat technology is to use it as a tool for education.”

Shalom welcomes all Jewish children, giving them a chance to immerse themselves in a school that teaches the beauty of yiddishkeit.

“We had one mother come in to register two beautiful girls in the school,” said Rabbi Greenwald. “She grew up in an irreligious home less than half a mile from the school and told us she wanted to give her kids the opportunity she never had. It sent shivers up my spine and is the reason why we are here.”

Hoping to reach as many families as possible, the school works closely with local rabbis.

“I tell them all ‘this is your school and your community and you have to feel that every simcha is your simcha,’” remarked Rabbi Greenwald. “There are so many Jewish children all around us and we hope to have so much siyata dishmaya that we will be forced to expand so that we can continue our mission of furthering Jewish education in central New Jersey.”