Message from the President
Dear Friends,
I’m thrilled to invite you to Ansche Chesed’s 2025 Gala on June 22nd, where we’ll recognize the extraordinary leadership of our members Patty & Seth Goldman, Marge Goldwater, and Wendy & Avery Katz. Our honorees (each of whom I know well and have worked with closely) have contributed in so many ways to the strength of our community, and they serve as an inspiration to all of us as we look to the future.
Patty and Seth joined AC as they built their Jewish home, finding us through friends at the Heschel School – and we’re lucky they did! Commitment to community runs deep in their personal and professional lives, and they brought that spirit with them. They’ve long been dedicated volunteers, rolling up their sleeves to help with anything from social action projects to greeting newcomers. Patty pasted the new Prayer for Israel into hundreds of siddurim and remains active in vital roles on the Chesed and Kiddush committees while Seth serves as a Vice President of the AC Board and chairs the Building Committees. They both work tirelessly to improve our community in ways big and small.
Marge calls her ~34-year involvement with AC and Minyan M’at one of the great blessings of her life, and with her longtime commitment, she’s been a great blessing to our community as well. Her years of service encompass a lot, from community leadership – including both M’at’s Troika and the AC Board’s Executive Committee – to the very hands-on work of making and installing curtains in the gym for High Holiday services in Hirsch Hall when it was under construction. You might also know her from the distinctive expertise she brings to the Program Committee: if you enjoyed either our recent private tour of the Jewish Museum or our Rye + Rye whiskey/bread tasting (among others!), you have Marge to thank.
Wendy and Avery have been tremendous assets to our community since joining in 2005. From their participation in social action and davening to our leadership and finances, they have touched nearly every aspect of AC’s operations over the years. Wendy has embraced our aspiration to be “People of Kindness” through volunteering at the shelter and working to support our refugee assistance efforts. Avery has long been a steadfast leader on AC’s Board, particularly as our Treasurer, where he kept our finances stable throughout the pandemic years and helped lead us through our successful Rav Chesed capital campaign. We are so grateful for their years of service and stewardship.
I also want to express my deep gratitude to our talented gala co-chairs, Luciana Lederman and Dan Margolis, supported by Terry Zisowitz, Ellen Braitman, and David Shapiro, and Elana Weinberg, for planning a festive evening for all of us.
Please join me in demonstrating our appreciation for Patty, Seth, Marge, Wendy, and Avery by attending the gala and purchasing a journal ad. I am so grateful (in advance) for your participation!
Thank you!
-Juliet