Heritage Florida Jewish News - Central Florida's Independent Jewish Voice

Amid surging enrollment at Orlando Torah Academy, the school welcomed a new beautiful library.  Jean Gould, together with her children Bruce Gould and Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey Gould and joined by many friends and community leaders, celebrated the dedication of the brand new Gould Family Library at Orlando Torah Academy. The beautiful new library was dedicated in honor of Jean's late husband, Norman S. Gould, ob'm.

For all those that know them, the Gould family and books have long been synonymous. Norman and Jean Gould started Gould Publications in the 1950s and grew it into one of the nation's leading law book publishers. The Gould's have also been dear supporters of Orlando Torah Academy for almost 10 years. They combined their passion for books with their passion for the Jewish people to make this very special dedication. These are more than books, they are tools to help educate and mold the future of our special nation.

One of the highlights of the ceremony was when the entire student body gathered together to greet and thank the Gould family as they walked to the new library unveiling. Jean Gould expressed how emotional the experience was of seeing the shining faces of over 100 children. With so much talk about declining Jewish identity, it was so special to see the bright future of Jewish Orlando blossoming at OTA. Two 4th grade girls read aloud their original poems they wrote for the event and Jean was presented with a beautiful OTA Library picture collage with a picture of Norman and Jean in the center. Bruce and Jeffrey both addressed the assembled crowd and Bruce, together with Rabbi Wachsman put up a mezuzah on the stunning new glass doors. The attendees then enjoyed a tour of the school and OTA kindergarteners got to hear a book read aloud by Bruce and Jeffrey.

Now entering its 12th year, OTA's enrollment has surged over 20 percent to more than 140 students this year. Serving preschool through 8th grade OTA has become the premier destination for Jewish education in Orlando. With its excellent dual-curriculum Judaic and General Studies programs and experienced, warm and caring staff, Orlando Torah Academy has quietly grown into Greater Orlando's largest Jewish Day School.

For more information or to schedule your own private tour and see what makes OTA so exceptional please email office@orlandotorah.com.