Upon returning from Israel, Ariella attended Yeshiva University’s Sy Syms School of Business, where she earned a degree in Business with a concentration in Finance and Economics. During college, she beat out 500 other applicants to become the first YU student to intern at the popular WABC News program, Live! With Regis and Kelly. In that exciting position, Ariella had the opportunity to collaborate with seasoned producers and to meet celebrities from the world of pop culture as well as news headliners on a daily basis.
Ariella’s enthusiasm for the medium of television and the valuable experience she gained during her internship led to 4+ additional years of working in television production. She helped produce many live and taped TV programs at networks including CBS, CNN, ABC, CNBC and Bloomberg Financial News.
Throughout Ariella’s years in television production, she remained in contact with YU’s Career Center, speaking about her experiences at Career Night, and sharing contacts that have helped other students find internships in the industry. She has been a real trailblazer in opening doors and changing longstanding views regarding potential careers for Orthodox Jews in TV production.
For the past year, Ariella has been enthusiastically working as the North Jersey Field Director for the Orthodox Union’s Advocacy Center. As a valued member of the Teach NJS team, she works to help increase Jewish political engagement in North Jersey and to develop communal support for critical legislation. Teach NJS works with New Jersey state legislators to help increase state funding on behalf of our day schools and synagogues. Ariella has enjoyed collaborating with wonderful representatives of the North Jersey Jewish Day Schools and other remarkable members of the Jewish community at large.
Today, Ariella lives in Teaneck and is the proud mom of Noam, 2 years old. In her free time, she enjoys taking Noam to the park, dancing, playing basketball and tennis, swimming, and going for a good run.
When asked about her memories of RPRY, Ariella responded, “When I think of RPRY, I think of the warm and loving environment which I was privileged to grow up in. Many of the friends I made in elementary school are still my closest friends today. Throughout high school, college, and now in my professional career, I often find myself remembering specific lessons that I learned in elementary school and applying them to my adult life today. I remember asking Rabbi Gross many times to please open a High School!”
Joining Ariella tonight are her son, Noam Zahner, parents Elana (former RPRY PTA president) and Howard, sisters Gaby (’06, starting dental school in September) and Talya (’06, first year dental student), and Talya’s fiancé, Dani Kaye (’03, graduating dental student). Also in attendance are Ariella’s maternal grandparents, Shirley and Dr. Ralph Sasto, paternal grandmother Helga Noveck, and aunts and uncles.
Please join us in congratulating Ariella on her many accomplishments in her young life and in wishing her genuine hakarat hatov for directing her talents and energy toward nobly serving the needs of the Jewish community. Mazal tov!