Robin O'Hanlon and Sam Stabler
Robin O’Hanlon and Sam Stabler are ACI members who stand out for their contributions of time and effort over the past few years, especially to help the Center offer both in-person and virtual services and programming. Much of ACI’s smooth operation is due to Robin and Sam’s active participation in all aspects of the Center as well as their ongoing work to find ways to bring people together
Introduced by a mutual friend, Robin and Sam first met each other in Portland, Oregon in 2005. They began dating in 2007 and moved to New York in 2014 while Sam completed his PhD in Sociology at Yale University and Robin received a job at the Mt. Sinai Medical School library. Robin and Sam were married in 2013 in New Haven.
As new residents of Astoria in 2014, Robin and Sam looked for a synagogue to call home. Robin and Sam attended their first service at ACI, a Yom Kippur service. At that time, Robin was a preliminary member, taking part in Rabbi Pearl’s conversion class. Gradually, Sam, too, became more involved with the Center.
Robin and Sam note that ACI’s sense of community and the other members of the congregation are what keep them at the Center. They enjoy being part of a small congregation where there are many opportunities to volunteer and make a difference.
“More than anything, I really enjoy attending Shabbat services, and the sense of spiritual connection that comes from reading Torah and engaging in prayer with other members of the ACI community. I also loved participating in Rabbi Pearl's conversion class, our ACI trip to Philadelphia, helping out with Purim decorations, and Havdalah movie night. It has been so wonderful to watch the MASKIT kids grow up over the past 8 years and to attend life-cycle events, such as baby namings and bar/bat mitzvahs,” said Robin.
According to Sam, “The spirit of community at ACI drew me in as Robin became increasingly engaged as a convert. The ACI community has been a deep source of inspiration for me over the years. Being able to pray, learn, and joke around with members of the community has taught me so much about the power of faith and the centrality of Judaism in my own life. Most important have been the quiet conversations before services and after kiddish with various members of the synagogue who are all so wonderful.”
As Robin and Sam grew more and more engaged with the Center and its congregation, many special and memorable moments occurred for the couple. For Robin, watching Sam participate in the New Members ceremony is a fond memory. “It has been so wonderful to see Sam reconnect to his Judaism, and I have learned so much from him in my own journey as a convert.” Sam has also seen Robin’s involvement with ACI and Judaism evolve as they put down roots in the ACI community. Sam noted, “It has been such a joy to watch Robin fall in love with Judaism. I was filled with pride at her conversion ceremony, particularly when she read a portion of the v'ahavta. Nothing makes me happier than to hear her voice singing along with the prayers each Shabbat.”
Apart from their volunteer efforts at the Center, Robin and Sam enjoy all things art and entertainment, especially music. Sam has played the drum since he was a kid and also loves playing the guitar. Robin is learning to play the piano. Sam is also a prodigious doodler and loves painting. You can see some of his work at instagram.com/doodle.dally. Both Sam and Robin are avid readers, and Sam is also a writer. He and colleague Shai Dromi will publish a book next year titled Moral Minefields: How Sociologists Debate Good Science. In addition to all her work and volunteering, Robin is working toward her PhD in Criminal Justice at John Jay College of Criminal Justice.
Sam and Robin are thrilled to be ACI’s honorees this year, and they hope you will join them in supporting the Journal in any way you are able.