Messages
Dear HERJC Community,
אַל תִּהְיוּ כַעֲבָדִים הַמְשַׁמְּשִׁין אֶת הָרַב עַל מְנָת לְקַבֵּל פְּרָס, אֶלָּא הֱווּ כַעֲבָדִים הַמְשַׁמְּשִׁין אֶת הָרַב שֶׁלֹּא עַל מְנָת לְקַבֵּל פְּרָס
“Do not be like servants who serve the master in the expectation of receiving a reward, but be like volunteers who serve the community without the expectation of receiving a reward.” (Pirkei Avot 1:3)
This will be the second HERJC Gala that Juliana and I have attended. Our first, in 2021, was seen virtually from the privacy of our home in Sao Paolo, Brazil. I recall turning to Juliana and wondering how HERJC could “afford” to honor three congregants in a single event. After all, recognizing members means they have distinguished themselves in ways worthy of an honor. Customarily, a synagogue can find one of its members deserving of this distinction. Perhaps even two. But three? And, assuming you can find three such worthy members, would it not be impossible to find another three congregants in the following year and in the year after? Still, as we listened to the introductions of the 2021 Gala Honorees, Juliana and I were amazed at the incredible volunteer spirit each honoree embodied and humbled that our next journey in life would take us to such a wonderfully spirited community.
As Juliana and I prepare for our first in-person HERJC Gala in 2022, we remain in awe of the incredible attributes of this year’s honorees and their commitment to making HERJC a vibrant and welcoming synagogue:
Joe Sklar epitomizes the ruach HERJC members offer to their community. As the Chair of the HERJC Cares Committee, Joe oversees and encourages members to practice the aspirations to tikkun olam that are as much a part of Judaism as any ritual practice. Between his life-long work with the Hatzilu Rescue Organization, his support of HERJC’s Mitzvah Garden and the produce supplied to local food pantries, and his devotion to helping those in need in the HERJC community, Joe has achieved the highest of moral principles during his decades of membership at HERJC: treating others as he would himself. As such, Joe Sklar is a well-deserved recipient of HERJC’s Lifetime Achievement Award.
A congregation cannot survive without the infusion of youth. Just as our ancestor, Joseph, advised Pharoah to maintain a healthy supply of food for the future, so HERJC seeks to foster relationships with younger members with the capacity to serve as future leaders. Such is the case with Board member David Horton, whose work on the Religious School Committee and participation in HERJC’s Finance and Investment Committee make him the ideal candidate to continue HERJC’s mission into the future. A man of numbers, David is also a man of deep emotion. This commitment on David Horton’s part makes him a wonderful selection as HERJC’s Emerging Leader.
Finally, there are the Main Honorees of our Gala, Heidi & Steven Kreit. Often, a family’s contribution to a synagogue is weighted toward one individual. In the case of the Kreits, it is impossible to determine who deserves greater accolades. A long-time member of Sisterhood, Heidi has been at the forefront of HERJC’s efforts to improve the Jewish education of our schoolchildren. From her year-in and year-out role as a coordinator of HERJC’s annual Chanukah celebration, to her work with our school children in the Mitzvah Garden, Heidi is a model of professionalism, volunteerism, and humanity in all she does for the HERJC community. While Steven is the first to admit Heidi is more important than he is on all levels, Steven’s contribution to the fabric of HERJC is as impressive. A long-time member of HERJC’s Board of Directors and Executive Committee, Steven has navigated HERJC through rough economic waters for nearly a decade as HERJC’s Treasurer, including recently helping to secure vital PPP loans to bring HERJC through the financial devastation caused by COVID. Accordingly, it is fitting that Heidi and Steven should be honored as HERJC’s Main Honorees.
One, yes. Perhaps even two. But three? Juliana and I extend our warmest wishes and appreciation to ALL of this year’s Gala honorees. Each of you makes HERJC stronger by your devotion and actions. Each of you is an amazing individual who shines a positive light on our synagogue. Each of you deserves the recognition being bestowed on you tonight. Yasher Koach!
Rabbi Michel Schlesinger
To our honorees Heidi & Steven Kreit, David Horton, and Joe Sklar, and to all those in attendance tonight,
Over the years for me, HERJC’s Gala represented a time-concentrated effort to gather the HERJC faithful to collectively congratulate one another for the time and effort in making the year a successful one. As a former “Gala Gal,” I was so focused on the nuts and bolts of preparation – from the entertainment to raffle prizes, from attendance to food – that I never sat back and reflected on what it truly means to be honored by HERJC.
As I conclude my first year as President, I look beyond the details of centerpieces and sound systems in viewing this year’s Gala. Leadership is not a unilateral exercise; it depends entirely on those who devote themselves to making a difference and who, through their talents, make leaders look like they are doing an effective job. But make no mistake, the commitment by those at the center of tonight’s Gala is what is truly worth celebrating. A synagogue is only as good as the people who step forward and say, “I will handle this.” A truly admirable synagogue is one where volunteers do that in masterful ways. When viewed through this lens, this year’s honorees are truly wonderful ambassadors and role models for the HERJC community:
To know Joe Sklar is to see the innate goodness of a person without ego or fanfare. I have never heard Joe self-promote or seek credit for what he does. And what he does is truly remarkable as the Chair of the HERJC Cares Committee. From reaching out to people who are coming out of the hospital, recently lost a loved one or simply need assistance, Joe’s mission is straightforward: How can I help? In this way, Joe exemplifies the ultimate in charitable works, because his end goal is focused on those requiring assistance and not who should get accolades. I could not be happier for Joe that he is receiving this year’s Lifetime Achievement Award.
David Horton and I were originally connected by our mutual love of the New York Rangers hockey team. And yet our connection has grown each year. From seeing him regularly at Gala events in the last several years to joining HERJC’s Board of Education. From being part of that cadre of young families who have made such a significant impact on the HERJC community to joining our Board of Directors. From celebrating with Allison and his sons, Charlie & Gabriel, in HERJC’s expanding social network to now serving as our Treasurer’s right hand person tending to HERJC’s financial well-being. The Emerging Leader Award connotes expectations for the future. However, David has already become a fixture of leadership at the highest levels at HERJC.
Finally, to this year’s Main Honorees, my very good friends, Heidi & Steven Kreit. I will smile all night because of you two. I will pretend, for the night, that I am a newcomer at HERJC, listening to the attributes you share and the good deeds you do and be newly awestruck by what each of you and both of you mean to the HERJC community. I will think about the fact that you speak plainly and honestly, that you act from the heart, that you walk the walk, and consider myself all the more fortunate to call you my good friends. I will take pleasure in the fact that there are no two people, individually or collectively, who are more deserving this year to be HERJC’s Main Honorees.
The fine details have been ably tended to this evening. The focused work to make tonight perfect was consistent from the start. All that is left is for those in attendance to thank those being honored for making HERJC the special place it is, and for bestowing the gift of their endless efforts to make our community strong.
With respect & admiration,
Stephen Moelis
President, HERJC!
בֶּן זוֹמָא אוֹמֵר, אֵיזֶהוּ חָכָם, הַלּוֹמֵד מִכָּל אָדָם,
שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר מִכָּל מְלַמְּדַי הִשְׂכַּלְתִּי כִּי עֵדְוֹתֶיךָ שִׂיחָה לִּי.
Ben Zoma said: Who is wise? One who learns from every person, as it is said, “From all who taught me have I gained understanding.” Pirkei Avot 4:1
It is my honor and privilege to be recognizing this year’s Gala honorees for their continued dedication and hard work for our HERJC Community. Our honorees this year have served HERJC in their own ways for many years. From our Executive Board, Board of Directors, School Board and HERJC Cares committee, they have been able to guide our community in the right direction to be inclusive, welcoming, and successful.
Our amazing Honorees, Steven and Heidi Kreit are a power couple within our community and in the community at large. We are so lucky to have their leadership and knowhow to help our programs grow and remain successful.
Our Lifetime Achievement Award recipient, Joe Sklar, has been a force on our HERJC Cares team for many years. Most recently, he has taken on all the deliveries for our chesed baskets, and he has been an amazing educator in our Religious School, teaching all our students about the great organization of Hatzilu and how they can get more involved with this Mitzvah project.
Our Emerging Leader has been a leader in my book for many years. David Horton has been a pillar of our School Board and has been such an amazing supporter of our Religious School programming. His ideas and forward thinking keep us on our toes and push us to think out of the box and create new programming each year.
I would personally like to thank all our honorees this year for their unending support of our HERJC community.
Chazak Chazak V’Nitchazeik - Be strong, be strong, and we will strengthen one another.
With blessings and love,
Hazzan Zakarin
As a Jewish early childhood educator, I have the unique opportunity to supervise a curriculum that is gentle, multi-dimensional, and joyous. Yes, joy. It’s the secret ingredient of a Jewish early childhood program that sticks with each child long after their earliest years. It intercepts a world that is increasingly digital and less personal, and balances educational settings that have become more about testing than expressing. And joy is contagious. Parents experience this joy as they meet other parents and form their own communities of families – places where they belong, with people they are connected to, and, for many, a synagogue they will be connected to for many years.It is with great joy that I join my colleagues in honoring Steven and Heidi Kreit at this year’s Gala. Steven and Heidi are truly a wonderful couple who are devoted to the HERJC community. Working closely with Steven on Nursery School budgets and other financial issues has truly given me an appreciation of the amount of time Steven devotes to all areas of the synagogue. With Steven as our Treasurer, and Heidi, who devotes so much time to the Purim Carnival, the Chanukah party, and the Mitzvah Garden, they are truly the dynamic duo!
The joy continues as I congratulate a past Nursery School parent, member of the School Board and wonderful HERJC advocate, David Horton. I am honored to be able to work alongside someone who, although his children are no longer in our school, is still an avid supporter of early childhood education.
Last but not least, is a gentle-man who has brought so much joy to the Nursery School community, in addition to all that he has done for the synagogue. Joe Sklar has volunteered in our four-year-old class and has brought with him his incredible warmth and ability to connect with our youngest learners. He is our official world traveler, who always comes back with stories, photos, and trinkets from his latest adventures.
It is with gratitude (and, of course, much joy) that I congratulate our honorees this year.
Cheryl Karp