Evening of Honor
Save the Date for March 5, 2023!
Evening of Honor, a long running AJA tradition, is a time for our connected community to gather and celebrate individuals who have dedicated their time and passion to our school and community.
This year, we are fortunate to be able to invite our honorees and community members to ALL join us IN PERSON to celebrate and honor!
Please submit your ads by Monday, February 20th!
*Scroll down for ads, sponsorships and registration.
Our 2023 Honorees
Franeen Sarif, Honoree
A native of South Africa, Ms. Sarif graduated from the University of Cape Town and taught Math and Science and coached tennis. Upon her emigration from South Africa, she joined GHA as a Middle School Math and Science teacher.
After five years at GHA, in addition to teaching classes, she took on an administrative role as Director of the Middle School. She then shifted to full-time Administrator, serving as the Director of the Middle School. During this time she began to assume the responsibilities as the Executive Director as well and when GHA and YA merged to become AJA, Ms. Sarif was the Executive Director at AJA. She also moved into the role of Interim Head of High School, along with her Executive Director role to continue strengthening our High School after they moved onto our Northland campus. She was selected as the Interim Head of School for the 2022-2023 school year as the search for a permanent replacement is underway.
Ben Flusberg, Volunteer of the Year
Ben Flusberg and his wife Keren Fisher (AJA/Yeshiva Atlanta alum) are the proud parents of one AJA graduate (class of 2022) and four current AJA students. Ben has served on AJA's Board of Trustees and Finance Committee since 2020, and he and his family are members of Congregation Ohr HaTorah in Toco Hills. Professionally, Ben has spent the past 20 years delivering technology and business innovation across a variety of industries. He is currently the Senior Vice President of Data Solutions at Cox Automotive in Atlanta, and he previously worked at The Boston Consulting Group in Atlanta and at a biotechnology startup in Silicon Valley. Before that, Ben earned a Ph.D. in Applied Physics from Stanford University and a B.A. in Physics from Harvard University.
Joel Rojek, Educator of the Year
Mr. Rojek has worked at YA & AJA for 20 years as a teacher and administrator. As General Studies Principal, he works with students and faculty to accomplish their goals and reach new heights. As an English teacher, he has enjoyed working with high school students to develop their reading, writing, and critical thinking skills. He believes students learn best by directly engaging with material, by actively practicing skills, and by demonstrating mastery in a variety of ways.