The Ra’anana campus is the new home of AMIT’s groundbreaking approach to revolutionize education in Israel and beyond. Made possible by an anonymous donor gift, the center is an exciting and significant milestone on Audrey Lookstein’s lifelong journey with AMIT.
The Lookstein family’s long history with AMIT began when Audrey and Rabbi Haskel Lookstein met through Mizrachi HaTzair, the youth branch of Mizrachi Women, as AMIT was previously known. Years later, after they married, they spent Shabbat of their honeymoon in Israel at the Kfar Batya Youth Village in Ra’anana. “They always talked about the spirit of Kfar Batya,” her children said.
Later, Audrey was co-founder and first president of the Gayle Schechter Chapter on the Upper East and West Sides of Manhattan, as well as chair and vice president of the National Board of AMIT. For many years, she and Rabbi Lookstein were honorary chairs of AMIT’s President’s Circle.
“There’s not as much in the public sphere about our mother, so this anonymous donation is so special. It’s beautiful that someone wanted to honor our mother and all the work she’s done over the years and the many ways she has contributed,” said her children.
A quintessential educator, Audrey taught second grade at The Ramaz School for several years. Later, when her own children had grown, she went to Teachers College of Columbia University for her master’s degree in English as a Second Language (ESL), teaching that subject at Queens College for 15 years. She loves and remembers all her students.
This dedication bridges two of the passions that have shaped Audrey’s life: education and AMIT. Her children remember their mother always attending AMIT meetings. “She always spoke so glowingly about all the women she partnered with. My father had Kehillat Jeshurun and Ramaz, which of course my mother was also very engaged in, and AMIT was her thing,” they said.
Audrey’s family—her four children, 16 grandchildren and many great-grandchildren—are her greatest joy and central to her life. She has long set a high bar for personal and professional achievements and continues to lead by example.
The educational focus of this gift is fitting, as Audrey, along with her husband, has devoted herself to educating the next generation. Her legacy will now have an even greater impact on future learners and teachers as AMIT continues to innovate at Kfar Batya.
