Ira Kohler is a former IDF soldier in the Paratrooper Brigade. Originally from Plainview, Long Island, Ira was raised in the heart of our Jewish community – an active member of both the Schechter School and Midway Jewish Center communities. He then attended the University of Delaware, graduating with a BA in Economics, and several months later, moved to Israel.
Serving as a Lone Soldier, Ira enlisted into the 890th Battalion of the Paratrooper Brigade. On October 7th, Ira found himself in the heart of Israel’s hardest battles as he fought in Kibbutz Be’eri. From there, Ira went on to serve over 100 days inside the Gaza Strip.
Upon completing his service, Ira moved back to the United States, beginning public speaking engagements and sharing his story with communities throughout Long Island and beyond. Ira has spoken at synagogues, schools, youth groups, federations, rallies and more over the past year. He has passionately fought for the release of his friend Omer Neutra, who tragically fell on the first day of the war, and who is receiving this honor along Ira’s side.
Ira currently works at United Jewish Appeal (UJA) as a Development Assistant in the Wall Street and Financial Services Division. Furthermore, Ira is continuing his speaking engagements and sharing his testimonies from the war.
Lastly, Ira wants to acknowledge and thank his family and friends for this honor. Am Yisrael Chai, and may those we’ve lost continue to be in our memory.
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Braydon Cohen is a senior at Plainview Old-Bethpage JFK High School and has been a member of Midway Jewish Center for ten years. As a younger member he was enrolled in religious school and tichon at MJC while also attending Jr Kadima and Kadima weekly. Braydon’s involvement in the Midway community grew as he did, with Braydon acting as a Madrich (teaching assistant) for MJC’s religious school for four years while participating in MUSY events throughout high school. This was all before he had the honor of becoming the President of MUSY youth group for the 2024-2025 season. Braydon’s commitment to his faith is evident throughout the week as well, as he can often be seen attending Shabbat services and evening minyan with friends and family.
Braydon is committed to making a positive impact on the local Jewish community. Since the October 7 attacks, Braydon has been active in addressing antisemitism on social media and at school, where he spoke about the importance of courage and finding good in the world when his high school choir sang the Hebrew piece “Eili Eili”. In addition to that, Braydon can be found attending the Syosset/Plainview Run for Their Lives walk, where he once spoke on behalf of MUSY, calling for the immediate release of all the hostages held in Gaza.
Outside of MJC, Braydon is involved in many extracurriculars in and out of school. He is a member of his high school’s choir, vice president of the French Honor Society, and a member of the Rho Kappa Social Studies Honor Society & National Honor Society. He sings in Hazamir, the International Jewish Teen Choir and works as a camp counselor at Ramah Day Camp in Nyack. In summers past, Braydon demonstrated his devotion to Jewish values and culture as a member of USY on Wheels 2022 and USY EPIC Israel 2023, marking Braydon’s first time in Israel.
He enjoys cooking, spending time with family and friends, watching tv and listening to music. Braydon is delighted to receive the honor and wishes a mazel tov to all of the other honorees.
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Risa Rogers is a senior at the Schechter School of Long Island and an active member of Midway Jewish Center. She attends Shabbat and holiday services with her family, where she reads Torah and Haftorah, and she participates in Midway’s United Synagogue Youth (USY) chapter. Additionally, Risa serves as the President of the New York USY Region and as the International USY Religion/Education Vice President. In both of these roles, Risa helps teens foster their love and passion for Judaism by creating engaging and meaningful programs.
At school, Risa is the Co-President of the Robotics team and Co-Editor of the online daily newspaper. She also performs in the annual high school musical and is a member of Kesher Club, a club dedicated to fundraising for organizations and people in need. Along with her peers, they have raised money for organizations such as Sharsheret, which helps those battling breast cancer, and collected different types of supplies, such as books, clothing, and food.
Risa’s passion for helping those around her extends outside of school where she volunteers at Sunrise Assisted Living. For the past few years, she has packaged Mishloach Manot during Purim and distributed the packages to the residents at Sunrise. Risa also volunteers at the Plainview-Old Bethpage Public Library. There, she assists the librarian with running the monthly Lego Club for elementary school children.
Last summer, Risa participated in the Garcia Program at Stony Brook University where she conducted research on the diagnosis and treatment of brain aneurysms.
This coming fall, Risa will be attending Emory University where she will be majoring in Neuroscience and Behavioral Biology. Risa hopes to conduct cutting-edge research at Emory to improve the lives of people suffering from neurological diseases and disorders. Furthermore, she plans on becoming actively involved in Hillel and Jewish Life on campus.
Some of Risa’s other hobbies include traveling, playing board games, shopping, and hanging out with her friends and family.
Risa is honored to have received this award. She would like to thank her parents and two older brothers for all of their support. Mazel Tov to all of the other honorees!