Brandon Srot (MY 1999)

Where do you live? Sydney, Australia

What do you do for a living? Psychotherapist and Leadership Educator

Tell us how Herzlia shaped you? Alongside a solid education and lifelong friends, Herzlia instilled in me a strong commitment to the values of service and leadership, both in and outside of the Jewish world.

Who was your favourite teacher? There are so many! Ms Oram, Ms Dos Santos, Ms van Zyl, Ms Le Chat and more!

Do you have kids? No

Tell us a bit more about your family? I moved to Australia in February 2000 with my mum and brother (Jerome, also a Herzlia graduate). I live in Sydney with my American fiance, Ian.

Any other comments? So much of who I am today is the result of the positive and life-affirming experiences I had as a student at Herzlia; a school that gave me a platform to grow, learn, step into my leadership, build a strong Jewish identity and a commitment to tikkun olam.

 

Romy Kruger (MY 2003)

Where do you live: Cape Town

What do you do for a living? After more than a decade of running my own paediatric OT practices, I’m now helping my dad in his property business.

Tell us how Herzlia shaped you? Growing up and attending a school that was so much more than just a place of learning, but rather an extension of my own greater community, gave me a great sense of safety and accountability. Many of my school friends are still my closest friends today and I have been able to navigate my way through life with people who have known me since Grade 1 and earlier. That’s a very special thing and has been greatly influential on who I am. Herzlia provided a solid foundation for developing skills of independent thinking, leadership and connection to Judaism at whichever level felt right.

Who was your favourite teacher? Dana Silver from Highlands Primary.

Do you have kids? Zev is 4 and Ayala is 19 months.

Tell us a bit more about your family? I am married to Jonathan Ayache who was the year below me at Herzlia. We live happily in Cape Town with our two young kids. Zev attends Gan Aviv pre school and Ayala will join next year. We love being back in the Herzlia system, knowing our son enjoys a happy day in a place where he is loved and nurtured. Both of our brothers live in Cape Town with their families and we feel incredibly fortunate that our children can grow up with their cousins around them.

 

 

 

 

Tao Klitzner (MY 2013)

Where do you live? Tel Aviv

What do you do for a living? I am an Architect working at a firm in Tel Aviv that works on both architecture and landscape architecture projects. From buildings to parks and public open spaces to river and green corridor regeneration and public imaginaries. The office continues to be a very exciting and dynamic space to learn and grow.

Tell us how Herzlia shaped you? With the move to Tel Aviv and introducing myself to so many new people I realise how Herzlia has shaped me in the stories I share (from camps and trips, sport involvement and cultural events, and classroom memories), in the knowledge I have acquired (a journey of finding the subjects I enjoy, leadership opportunities and skills development) and in the friendships I cherish and nurture to today. I see and realise how Herzlia has very much been a part of my journey – a chapter I am extremely grateful and thankful for.

Who was your favourite teacher? I am sorry I can not pick a favourite! I am so grateful and thankful to everyone who taught me.

Do you have kids? I married my husband Nathan on the 10th of April 2022, guess I am Tao Esra now (no – we don’t have children yet).

Tell us a bit more about your family? I live with my husband in a cozy apartment with lots of plants and a view of trees onto a quiet street in Tel Aviv. Not far from the beach, we enjoy our sunset volleyball and early morning swims and enjoy riding our bicycles down the Sederot (avenues) and taking the bus to work. Coffees on Dizengoff, friends nearby and the shul a short walk away. We miss our families friends in Cape Town and Johannesburg, but look forward to every visit!

Any other comments? I am sorry that I am not present at the reunion in Cape Town. It would have been wonderful to see you all and catch up on these past 10 years in person – for what a crazy 10 years these 10 years have been. I hope that the journey of life since school – with its ups and downs, decision making and surprises – has been revealing and exciting in your own journeys of homebuilding, placemaking, growing, achieving and discovering. Until our paths cross again. I reflect on an old quote (of course!)– Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, today is a gift – that is why they call it the present. (Master Oogway – Kung Fu Panda)