Aleta Grunberg was born and raised in eastern Pennsylvania in a small coal mining town which had a total of ten Jewish families. Her parents sent her to Hebrew school. They managed to keep kosher, traveling as far as NYC to do so. Aleta's father davened daily. As a result of her upbringing, and despite living in a predominantly Christian area, Aleta always loved and was extremely proud of being Jewish. She has a master's degree in elementary education and taught at Temple Emanuel (now Am Echad) in Lynbrook for twenty-five years.

Ariel Grunberg was born in Tel Aviv, and even though he left for Caracas, Venezuela at the age of three, his Zionist roots grew deep. His parents were not religious, but they instilled in him the love and respect he has for his homeland. When he was nine, his family moved to NYC. Ariel attended high school in London and has a Bachelor's degree in Business from Baruch College. He is partners with his brother in the real estate company founded by their parents.

Aleta and Ariel met in NYC in 1975. While visiting a friend in the city, Aleta went to listen to music at a bar. Ariel and his friend happened to have the same idea. So began their fairytale story. Ariel asked Aleta to dance and to this day they're still dancing.

Two things they both knew they wanted in a partner: that he/she be Jewish and that he/she loved to dance. It was beshert that they met. Besides, their Hebrew/Yiddish names are very similar: Ariel Moshe and Etel Mooshe. How could they not be a couple? They were married in 1977 and became the proud parents of Rebecca and Stephanie. In 1985, they moved from Queens to East Rockaway. Their aim was to live in a Jewish community within a good school district. They found both: Hewlett-East Rockaway Jewish Center and Lynbrook School District.

Rebecca was in kindergarten when they moved. They immediately joined HERJC and enrolled Rebecca in Sunday School followed by Hebrew School. Stephanie also attended Sunday School and Hebrew School. Both were Bat Mitzvahed at HERJC. It was very important to have Rebecca and Stephanie immersed in Judaism outside their home. As a result, they, too, know the importance of instilling Jewish values in their children: Emma and Bar (Rebecca and Michael) and Avi and Eli (Stephanie and David).

Aleta was active in HERJC's Sisterhood (secretary for two years) until she became President of Waverly Park PTA and returned to the work force. Ariel was a member of the Men's Club. He served/serves on several HERJC committees: the committee to locate a synagogue in Israel to receive our no-longer-used Torah; the Israel Committee, and the Finance Committee.

Aleta and Ariel are also proud members of the Patrons Society. They have always loved attending the HERJC Galas to honor those being recognized and, of course, to dance. Because of their love of Israel, they are very involved in Jewish organizations such as AIPAC, Jewish Institute for the National Security of America (JINSA), and CAMERA (Committee for Accuracy in Middle East Reporting in America,, Jewish National Fund USA (JNF), The Middle East Forum (MEF), Algemeiner (online newspaper), and the Jewish News Syndicate (JNS). Ariel is on the board of several of these organizations.

Aleta and Ariel are very grateful to have been selected as this year's honorees. They are very happy to be sharing this occasion with the other most deserving honoree, Carrie Rolnick.

Carrie Rolnick grew up on a small cattle farm in Rutledge, Georgia, where she attempted to befriend every animal that crossed her path and has the scars to prove it. She attended the Georgia Institute of Technology where she met her husband, Daniel, and graduated with a degree in Industrial and Systems Engineering. After college Daniel and Carrie moved to San Francisco where Carrie converted to Judaism at Congregation Sherith Israel. 

Carrie currently lives in Lynbrook with Daniel and their children Genevieve, Sayge and Jonah as well as their cats Kimchi and Ramen. The Rolnick family joined HERJC in the fall of 2021, the same time that Rabbi Schlesinger was beginning his new role. Jonah entered his last year of Religious School at our new synagogue and was immediately welcomed by Hazzan Zakarin and Rebecca Osder. They made what could have been an awkward transition an enjoyable and beautiful experience. Carrie appreciates how warm and welcoming HERJC has been to the many new families that have recently joined our community.

Carrie is a member of the HERJC Board of Directors and serves on the Finance and Ruach committees. She is thankful to be recognized as an Emerging Leader and is looking forward to joining the HERJC community for many more simchas to come.

Carrie thanks HERJC and the Gala Committee for this extraordinary honor and congratulates Aleta and Ariel Grunberg for being the HERJC Gala 2025 honorees.