Messages from WJC Leaders
Dear WJC Family,
It takes three things to make a synagogue: a building/space, a rabbi or cantor, and people. One person might suggest that the building is most important. After all, the clergy and the people change over time, but the building rarely moves. Another might suggest that the clergy is most important. After all, it is common for the clergy and the synagogue to merge into one in people’s minds (as in, ‘I went to WJC. Oh, is that Arnowitz’s shul?’).
But both of those suggestions would be mistaken. The most important element of a synagogue is the people. After all, the Hebrew word for synagogue is beit knesset, the house of gathering. Without people to gather, there is no synagogue. You are like the cells, the very building blocks, of WJC. Without people, the synagogue would just be a space and a rabbi teaching to himself.
At WJC, we are blessed with the most unbelievably talented and committed people. I got to know Evan and Tracey very well on spring Saturday mornings in 2020. We wanted to make a minyan on-site in the sanctuary so it would count for all those joining by live stream. Yet, we balanced that desire to keep it to as few “pods” as possible. Evan and Tracey would come, week after week, with their four boys in tow, making up more than half of the minyan by themselves. That commitment to the rest of the congregation was just a hint of what would come.
Tracey has been extraordinary in guiding the Spiritual Life Committee through the complications of exiting the Covid lockdown, during the strategic planning process, and with all the subsequent issues that have arisen. Now she serves the congregation as an officer as well. Evan has become the steward of the congregation, assuming the duties of gabbai on Saturday morning, facilitating each Torah service, including everyone’s simchas like b'nai mitzvah and aufrufs. Evan brings joy and ruach (spirit) to everything he does, whether it is on Saturday morning, for Simchat Torah, while marching in the Israel Day parade, or on Purim. The Levy’s are among the most generous, devoted, and talented synagogue members I have ever met, and it is a privilege to serve as their rabbi.
Mark and Marcie Berger have been integral parts of WJC since joining 20 years ago. Mark is an officer of the synagogue, an active member of the Spiritual Life Committee, and as head of our security committee, spends more time thinking about the safety of everyone here at WJC than anyone. It can be demanding and intense, and Mark handles it all with calm and grace. Mark is also our regular Saturday morning leader for P’sukai Dezimra, a responsibility that requires both skill and a commitment to get to shul quite early on Saturday morning. Marcie has been an active member of WJC, especially with our schools and youth programs, serving on the board of education and religious school committee, as well as a consistent member of our Bikkur Holim Committee. Together, the Berger’s have made WJC a more friendly, safe, and spirited place, and we are so grateful for all of their efforts.
I also want to express my thanks to our fabulous Gala Chairs Joanna Shlesinger and Erica Strongin. They are making this magnificent evening possible with the assistance of their subcommittee chairs: Decorations: Glenna Lee, Scott Aronow, Shanee Cohen, and Janisha Batista; Raffle: Jacqui Kaplan, Jennifer Winters, and Isabelle Arditi; Sign-Up Parties: Amy Bennett; Food/Drink: Ann Colin; Journal: Sherry Thaler, Lisa Zeitoun, and Amy Fastenberg; Music: Scott Sholder; Communications: Lauren Sholder and Evan Schapiro. Thank you to all of you, as well as to all the others who have assisted in the Gala planning.
It truly is a privilege to serve such excellent people as the members of the Westchester Jewish Center, and tonight we honor two couples who exemplify everything that makes this such a special congregation. Mazal tov to Evan and Tracey & Mark and Marcie.
Mazal Tov,
RJA
I am so excited to celebrate with our entire community on May 18th. It will be my final Gala as your President, and I am delighted by the strength of our new leadership team set to begin in June. The past three years have literally flown by, but I am amazed at the progress we have made. WJC is a growing, vibrant, energetic institution thanks to the efforts of our Clergy, staff, officers, trustees and countless community volunteers who worked so hard to tighten the fabric of our community. Our honorees each played a critical role in those successes and my excitement for this year’s Gala emanates from the deep friendship achieved through working in the trenches with each of them.
Marcie and Mark Berger have been members for nearly a quarter century and raised their two children at WJC. Marcie spent many years engaged in our ECC & Religious School parent committees and is active in our Bikur Cholim (healing the sick) team. Mark has long served as an officer and oversees our thriving synagogue arms: Sisterhood, Brotherhood, and Cemetery Association. Mark is the first one to take on thankless jobs, whether negotiating a contract with a Clergy member or chairing our security committee, and he is often seen leading our davening.
Although Tracey and Evan Levy have been members since 2008, they became very active beginning in the early 2020s. Both of them engage nearly every day in the spiritual life of our synagogue. Evan serves as our Shabbat Gabbai, and works behind the scenes supporting WJC in countless other ways. Tracey is a trusted advisor on personnel matters, a WJC officer and the current chair of the Spiritual Life committee. As a couple they have been incredibly supportive of Jewish education, Israel and making our synagogue fun!
I would also like to express deep appreciation to our committee co-chairs Joanna Shlesinger and Erica Strongin, their entire committee and our amazing staff for their love of WJC and simply incredible party planning talents.
Looking forward to celebrating with all of you! Let’s make some new friends!
L’hitraot
Larry
It has been such a pleasure planning WJC’s Throwback to the 80s gala!
We are thrilled to recognize the dedication and achievements of Marcie and Mark Berger, as well as Tracey and Evan Levy. Marcie and Mark have been active members of WJC since their children were young in the ECC. Marcie has contributed to several committees supporting WJC's youth and those in need, while Mark serves many roles as a WJC Officer, including overseeing Security. Tracey is also a WJC Officer who wears many hats including chairing the Spiritual Life Committee. Evan is most well-known for his role in enhancing our religious services as the gabbai, coordinating honors. Their lasting contributions to WJC will continue to have an impact for years to come.
A big thank you to our Throwback to the 80s Committee -- to Scott Aronow, Shanee Cohen, Janisha Batista & Glenna Lee for overseeing Decorations; To Isabelle Arditi, Jacqui Kaplan & Jennifer Winters for overseeing the Silent Auction; To Amy Fastenberg, Sherry Thaler & Lisa Zeitoun for coordinating the Journal; To Ann Colin for managing Food/Drink; To Amy Bennett for organizing the Sign Up Parties; To Scott Sholder for coordinating Entertainment logistics; To Lauren Sholder for guiding marketing strategy; To Andrea Fagon for keeping our communications on track; To Evan Schapiro for designing the tubular invitation and assets for the website.
To our set up crew and everyone that made phone calls and reached out to publicize and ensure the financial success of the event. Thank you!
We could not have this evening without the outstanding work of our WJC team of David Goldstein, Beth Weiss-Dunn, Rachael Candoni, Kim Lewis, Jose Luis Fonseca, and the entire building staff.
Thank you all for coming out to WJC’s Throwback to the 80s, celebrating our honorees and supporting WJC!
We hope you have a blast!
Joanna Shlesinger and Erica Strongin