Let’s enjoy an unforgettable evening as we celebrate our HERJC community in the vibrant spirit of Havana Nights! Set against a backdrop of tropical charm and rhythmic melodies, we gather to honor outstanding individuals whose dedication and passion continue to enrich our congregation.
Honoring Aleta & Ariel Grunberg
Aleta and Ariel’s journey together is a story of love, commitment, and deep Jewish values. From Aleta’s small coal-mining town upbringing, where her family maintained Jewish traditions against all odds, to Ariel’s Zionist roots stretching from Tel Aviv to Venezuela, their shared devotion to Judaism has shaped their lives.
Since joining HERJC in 1985, Aleta and Ariel have been pillars of our community, ensuring that Jewish values are passed on to future generations. Whether through their active participation in Sisterhood, Men’s Club, and multiple committees, or their unwavering support for Israel and Jewish causes, the Grunbergs have exemplified leadership and dedication. Their love for dancing—fittingly intertwined with our Havana Nights theme—has been a constant expression of their joyous spirit and commitment to Jewish life.
We are proud to recognize Aleta and Ariel Grunberg as this year’s HERJC Gala Honorees for their enduring impact and dedication to our congregation.
Emerging Leader: Carrie Rolnick
Carrie Rolnick’s path to HERJC has been one of discovery, commitment, and leadership. Originally from Georgia, where she grew up on a cattle farm, Carrie’s journey led her to Judaism, embracing the faith and values that have become central to her life. Since joining HERJC in 2021, she has played a vital role in strengthening our community, serving on the Board of Directors, and contributing to the Finance and Ruach committees.
With warmth, enthusiasm, and a dedication to inclusivity, Carrie has helped welcome new families into HERJC, ensuring that our synagogue remains a vibrant and engaging home for all. We are thrilled to honor Carrie Rolnick as our Emerging Leader, recognizing her inspiring contributions and her bright future within our congregation.
And now, let’s dance the night away at the HERJC Gala 2025 – Havana Nights!
Message from Lisa Stein, Executive Director
The HERJC Gala is always a special night celebrating wonderful people! In fact, in May of 2022, the first HERJC event I attended was the Black and White Gala. I had accepted my position just a few days prior and was invited to come and meet everyone and see what the HERJC family is all about. And I was so glad I came to see for myself what HERJC’s biggest fundraiser entails, because it is such an incredible evening! Each year is unique: the theme, the food, and, of course, the honorees. And this year is no exception. The committee’s plan to create a fun, celebratory evening entitled ‘Havana Nights’ is sure to be a great party, with Latin style foods, rum, and vibrant music to keep things lively.
It is my absolute pleasure to add my voice to the recognition being so deservedly bestowed on Aleta and Ariel Grunberg and Carrie Rolnick. The Grunbergs’ commitment to Israel is admirable and their generosity, ideas, and involvement have helped us to keep Israel at the forefront of our programming over the last eighteen months. Aleta and Ariel are always willing to lend a hand to assist when help is needed and their presence at many HERJC services and functions is so appreciated. I am looking forward to our recognizing the Grunbergs for their many contributions—and I am looking forward to watching these amazing dancers hit the dance floor on May 22nd!
HERJC is lucky to have a strong Emerging Leader in Carrie Rolnick. In her short time as a member, Carrie has jumped in with both feet as an active participant of the Ruach committee, the Finance Committee, as well as the Board of Directors. Carrie was also instrumental in helping us with our MLK Day of Service program. It is clear that to Carrie and Daniel, synagogue life is a value that they hold dear and they are generous with their resources to ensure a successful event or program. Carrie’s experience with budgeting and finance have been unparalleled in the help she has given working in partnership with me to create systems that will benefit HERJC for years to come. I appreciate Carrie’s ability to juggle multiple projects and move things forward with diplomacy, thoughtfulness, and determination.
I extend a tremendous thank you to Aleta, Ariel, and Carrie for all you do for HERJC! And I would also like to take the opportunity to thank the Gala Committee, made up of these impressive women—Stefanie Atiyas, Tamar Barbash, Rachel Cooper, and Elaine Garver, under the leadership of Audrey Polinsky—without whom this fabulous evening would not be possible. This committee has been working for months to create a fabulous event that would be meaningful, appealing, and helpful in raising much-needed funds for our beloved synagogue.
And now, let’s enjoy!
It is with great pleasure and admiration that we honor Ariel and Aleta Grunberg at this year’s HERJC Gala. While their involvement with our Early Childhood Center began after their children had already graduated, they have become beloved and essential members of our community through their warmth, kindness, and unwavering support.
From the moment they became part of the HERJC family, Ariel and Aleta embraced our Nursery School with open hearts. Their dedication to Jewish values and community has always been evident, and they have consistently supported our mission of fostering a love for learning, Jewish identity, and inclusivity. Ariel and Aleta may not still have had children enrolled at the ECC, but their presence has been felt by every child, parent, and teacher.
Aleta, with her deep appreciation for Jewish education, has always been an advocate for providing children with meaningful experiences that help them grow both intellectually and spiritually. She has supported countless events and initiatives over the years, always eager to help in any way she can, whether through the Sisterhood or other volunteer efforts. Her leadership and generosity have contributed to making our school a warm and welcoming place for all families.
Ariel, too, has been an integral part of our community. While his role may have been less public, his steady support and quiet contributions have been invaluable. Whether serving on committees or attending events, his presence has always been a reminder of the strength of community and the importance of giving back.
Together, Ariel and Aleta embody the values we strive to instill in our students each day: love for learning, respect for others, and a deep commitment to Jewish life and tradition. They have always gone above and beyond to ensure that our Nursery School thrives, and their ongoing involvement continues to make a significant impact on the lives of our children and their families.
On behalf of the entire Early Childhood Center staff and families, we thank Ariel and Aleta for their generosity, their dedication to our mission, and their unwavering commitment to helping our community grow. We are honored to celebrate them tonight and grateful for all they do to make our nursery school such a special place for every child who walks through our doors.
Keep Dancing!
Warmly,
Cheryl Karp
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It is truly an honor to celebrate Carrie Rolnick tonight. As a devoted member of HERJC, Carrie’s presence within our community is felt in so many positive ways. Her dedication to the values of family, friendship, and Jewish tradition shines through in everything she does. Since joining HERJC, she has embraced our community with warmth and generosity, making a lasting impact on everyone she meets.
As a member of the HERJC Board of Directors, Carrie’s involvement on both the Finance and Ruach Committees shows her commitment to our synagogue’s growth and vibrancy. Her behind-the-scenes efforts have helped create a welcoming environment for all, especially for new families like hers, navigating the transition into our community. Whether it’s through her leadership or her personal touch, Carrie consistently fosters a space where all feel included and supported.
Beyond her professional contributions, Carrie’s enthusiasm for being a part of the HERJC family—whether celebrating simchas or lending a helping hand—is what truly makes her stand out. She embodies the spirit of community, and her infectious energy has made HERJC a brighter, warmer place for us all.
Carrie, on behalf of the Early Childhood Center and all of us at HERJC, we thank you for your unwavering commitment, your thoughtful leadership, and your kind heart. We look forward to many more years of shared experiences, growth, and celebration with you.
Mazel Tov on this well-deserved honor!
Warmly,
Cheryl Karp
Message from Chari Nacson, Religious School Director
It is such a pleasure and an honor to attend my first HERJC Gala. I’m thrilled to be part of the celebration and to join in honoring our distinguished guests. Although I’m still relatively new to HERJC, and haven’t yet had the opportunity to personally meet the honorees, I look forward to getting to know them and learning more about their remarkable contributions.
I recently had the privilege of working with Carrie Rolnick on the Religious School budget for the upcoming year. Her calm, kind demeanor made what could have been a daunting task much more enjoyable than I had anticipated. She was incredibly helpful, offering thoughtful answers and advice whenever I had questions, and I look forward to collaborating with her again in the future.
Though I haven’t yet met Aleta and Ariel Grunberg, I feel we have much in common, as I share their love for dance and have lived in Israel as well. From everything I’ve read about their dedication to both HERJC and the broader Jewish community, I am confident they are more than deserving of this honor.
Congratulations to all of our honorees. I’m grateful to be part of an organization that recognizes such deserving members of our community.
On behalf of Sisterhood, I extend our congratulations to Ariel and Aleta Grunberg, and to Carrie Rolnick, as they are recognized at this year’s HERJC Gala.
Ariel and Aleta, I met you at different times in my life. Aleta, you had just finished your term as secretary of Sisterhood when I first joined the Sisterhood Board, and you had moved on to being President of the Waverly Park School PTA. I met you at a PTA meeting when my son started elementary school. Ariel, I think the first time I talked with you was at a meeting in the HERJC boardroom. At the time, I knew only your name. Then I got to know both of you when I saw you at HERJC events. I am thankful to you for bringing programming to HERJC that supports Israel. I admire you for your strong commitment to Jewish organizations and staunch support of Israel. Over the years, our paths have crossed many times (in and outside of HERJC) and I always enjoy talking with both of you. I couldn’t help but notice that you moved to this neighborhood for the same reason that I did, though you moved here 3 years earlier. I, too, was looking for Jewish community and a good school district (and my husband and I actually picked HERJC before we picked our house).
Carrie, I smiled when I read in your bio that you attempted to befriend every animal that crossed your path at your family cattle farm. It was clear to me, even before I read your bio, that you have a good heart. I met you, and benefitted from your good heart, long before you joined HERJC. I had been meeting up with Daniel while walking to the train station in the mornings for a few years. One morning, I was very late and was literally running to get to the train on time. When I had almost caught up with Daniel, I tripped and went flying, landing on my face. With a huge gash on my chin, I realized that Daniel was right, that I needed to go to a doctor, not to work. I was going to take a taxi to go home since my husband was still sleeping, but Daniel offered to call you. He assured me that – even though you didn’t know me – you wouldn’t mind coming to pick me up and bringing me home. And he was right! I am forever grateful to you for taking care of me that morning. I was so happy when I heard that you and your family were joining HERJC, and I love seeing all of you at HERJC events and services. You are a great addition to our HERJC family and HERJC Board, as well as to the Finance and Ruach committees. It is so nice to see you being recognized as an Emerging Leader at HERJC.
Everyone gives back to the community in different ways. My interactions with all of you, while some are not related to HERJC, show your involvement in and care for the well-being of our local community, of our HERJC community, and of Israel.
Sisterhood and the entire congregation congratulate all of you! We are proud to count you as members of our HERJC family and to honor you for your leadership in our HERJC activities.