The Garbuz family name is synonymous with chessed, dedication and commitment. Whether to YINR, SAR or most importantly their family, Adina and Lawrence demonstrate by example what it means to help others. They moved to New Rochelle in 2002 and immediately became involved in the YINR community. Adina and Lawrence are always willing to “get their hands dirty” on any project.
In addition to currently serving on the YINR Executive Board as Treasurer, Adina has held multiple positions in all areas of our shul. Adina has served as Women's League President and Treasurer after being involved in the New Mother’s committee as well as more than once spearheading the mishloach manot project. She has for the past few years worked tirelessly on High Holiday seating and as a member of the Simcha Committee. Her sound advice and perspective made her a perfect choice for the Board, and Executive Board. Adina is probably one of the few women recruited to assist the Men’s Club with the Rabbi Yisrael Meir Lau Shabbaton.
Lawrence has also found his own way to connect to YINR, forging a strong friendship and learning partnership with Rabbi Fink as well as attending for many years daf yomi. He also assisted the Men’s Club, helped organize the very successful Saturday night ping pong tournaments and for many years distributed mishloach manot in Brooklyn. Very impressively, Lawrence completed the Westchester Triathalon with our own YINR Skippy’s Team. He is also often called upon to handle sensitive matters for our members who are need of his professional expertise.
In addition to Adina and Lawrence’s commitment to YINR, they are supporters of their alma mater Cardozo Law School, the Bronx Jewish Community Council, and the Joint Distribution Committee. But their strongest commitment is to their four children Ella, Liav, Jonah and Eva whom they raise with their strong values of giving to others and to one’s community.
Adina was no stranger to the YINR community, as she born and raised here. She was the first Bat Mitzvah at YINR under the leadership of Rabbi and Abby Fink. Lawrence is very much an “out-of-towner.” He was born in Los Angeles, grew up on Miami Beach, and only came to New York to attend NYU. Lawrence’s father was born in Cuba and his mother was born in Johannesburg which might make Lawrence the only Cuban member of the shul. Both Lawrence and Adina learned from their parents the importance of community involvement, dedication to Israel and commitment to family and friends. Lawrence’s family was instrumental in the Cuban Jewish community, actively imploring the government to accept Jewish immigrants and warmly welcoming those who immigrated to Cuba.
Adina and Lawrence are a tremendous asset to the YINR community and we are incredibly fortunate to call them our friends.
In this the 50th anniversary year of the YINR move to the North End of New Rochelle, there cannot be a more fitting couple to honor than Ruth and Bob Lewis. Ten years after its founding on Coligni Avenue in south New Rochelle, YINR moved to (our church building on) 1228 North Avenue in June,1967. In July, 1967 Ruth and Bob joined that small group of founding pioneers in the Jewish wilderness of Westchester. Since their arrival the Lewises have been a significant presence in our community.
Early on, Ruth with Rita Steimmauer Schiller prepared Shabbos kiddush and Bob corralled Jewish passersby to complete the sparse Friday night and Shabbos morning minyanim. Ruth was the head and motivating force of the committee for the formation of our eruv. Bob was a YINR vice president and a member of the search committee that hired Rabbi Fink. The Lewises have hosted the Bonnie Crest Friday night minyan since 1987. “Dr. Ruth“, an internist and renowned endocrinologist has consulted on many of the more complicated medical problems of our members. ‘Dr. Bob‘, an OB-GYN, has delivered a number of our offspring and even served as the Mohel for several of them.
Of all their accomplishments, the Lewises feel their greatest achievement has been their three daughters, Debbie, Adina, and Beth who have spent virtually their entire lives in New Rochelle and with their husbands have produced their remarkable eleven grandchildren. Debbie with her husband David Isaac, and Adina with her husband, Lawrence Garbuz, following their parents’ example, have become valued, effective, respected members of our New Rochelle community. Beth and her husband, Yoel Greenbaum are highly thought of in their Teaneck community. Hats off to a truly treasured YINR couple.