Snow has been falling through the night and we prepare to close the driveway for the morning minyanim, only to find that it has already been plowed - Anton was there at 5:00 am….

 

We have two aufrufs and a bar mitzvah in Shul, and within the span of an hour the entire Social Hall is transformed from the 8:15 Minyan setup into a full 9:00 am Minyan hot kiddush, all while the 8:15 Minyan hot kiddush goes on. Not only is everything ready in time but Mira is coordinating with a smile on her face, supervising a group of child volunteers she knows by name, who enjoy “helping” her….

 

YINR is a large and vibrant facility, and keeping it running smoothly takes a powerhouse couple!

 

Mira and Anton lovingly take care of our shul, every day, week after week, at all hours, and are at the heart of all that happens here.  They anticipate every need and we depend on them in countless ways. They joined YINR as custodians of our Shul buildings in the summer of 2009, and we have been the fortunate beneficiaries of their hard work, dedication, and commitment to excellence for more than 15 years.

 

Hailing from Albania, the Tucis chose to raise their children in the United States. Anton pioneered the way in 2000; Mira and their three young sons joined Anton in 2004, settling in Yonkers.  Two years later they moved to Scottsdale, Arizona. Anton worked in the construction business; Mira at JW Marriott, first as a housekeeper, then as a supervisor, working her way up the hotel management ladder.

 

The call came in 2009 from YINR’s former custodians, Marta and Mark, who happen to be Anton’s cousins. Marta and Mark were planning to step down and YINR was looking for new custodians. In May, 2009, a hesitant Mira visited YINR and began to learn from Marta about our Shul, Shabbat, and Orthodox practice. Coming from their own religious background, the Tucis felt an immediate connection to our values and traditions. Although it was a difficult decision to leave Arizona, the Tuci family decided to make the move east, and so began the beautiful relationship between the Tucis and YINR. Mira recalls fondly how Abby and Rabbi Fink, among others, were so welcoming and worked hard to help the family adjust to life in New York. And now, fifteen years later, the boys have become adults, New York-born Melisa is a current eighth grader, and Mira and Anton and their family remain a beloved and indispensable part of YINR.

 

What does it mean to be YINR’s custodians?  Mira is at Shul every weekday evening and throughout Shabbat looking after our main building – ensuring it remains as clean and pristine as the day we moved in, and looks after the house next door and the old Shul building as well. She works tirelessly keeping our Shul in shape and setting up and breaking down rooms, arranging kiddushes (often multiple kiddushes on any given Shabbat), working with outside vendors, ensuring the correct Siddurim/Chumashim/Machzorim/Megillot/Selichot books/Yizkor books are put out at the right time of the year, and doing a myriad of other tasks. Anton comes on weekends – from Friday afternoon until after Shabbat ends, helping at the busiest time of the week, and additionally takes care of tasks as needed during the week.  Their sons pitch in when called upon, despite the fact that they now have their own full-time jobs.  Mira and Anton prioritize their Shul responsibilities ahead of their family schedule. Outside of the Shul, Anton has become a highly sought-after contractor, and you will often see his unmistakable truck around the neighborhood, especially as Sukkot approaches.

 

Aside from their official responsibilities, Mira and Anton have been known to help YINR families whenever they see or anticipate a need – escorting an elderly member on their walk home from Shul or helping someone get to the hospital in an emergency – because aside from being great employees, they are exceptionally good people.  So many of us have been the recipients of their kindness and generosity. We have joined with them and they with us, in times of both celebration and hardship. They are truly a part of our YINR family.

 

Mira and Anton’s children - Alex, Altin, Frrok (Roku) and Melisa - are their pride and joy. Alex is engaged to be married this fall in Albania, and wouldn’t you know – the first thing Mira did when they were choosing a wedding date was pull out a Jewish calendar to check when the High Holidays are, to make sure they would be available to YINR when YINR needs them most. 

 

It is YINR’s great privilege to honor Mira and Anton with its Distinguished Service Award.

 

Judy & Bob Friedman

Dina & Marc Sterman