Our friendship with the Croogs has deep roots traced through multiple shared paths; from elementary school through our adult years, raising our families together in New Rochelle. Tamar and Jon’s friendship has been a veritable giving tree - not only for us, but for the countless members of our community who have been embraced by their warmth and generosity.

If Jon is searching for Tamar at a shul kiddush or event, he will often mime a wide, dimpled smile to ask if anyone has seen her. He knows she is likely deep in conversation with someone she may not have known five minutes earlier, possibly from a different generation, with a good chance that she will soon invite them to stop by the Croog home—perhaps for some “casual” pool time. Of course, a gathering at their house is never simple: it typically includes a thoughtfully prepared spread and multiple families around the table. While Jon may not initiate these get-togethers, he is always a consummate host, bringing his signature humor, warmth, and an easy generosity that makes guests feel immediately at home.

Having grown up in this community, Tamar is deeply committed to ensuring that others feel welcome and experience a sense of belonging here. As Hospitality Committee Chair, Tamar has translated that value into action, making it her mission to ensure that new and young families feel included from the moment they arrive. Through thoughtfully organized social events, personal outreach to parents of children in the same grade, and the creation of an infant and toddler resource spreadsheet, Tamar has helped foster meaningful connections and a deep sense of belonging within the community.

Tamar has demonstrated an extraordinary commitment to the shul through ten years of Board service, including five years on the Executive Board. She chaired and coordinated the shul dinner for six years, including leading the first fully virtual shul dinner, which was, to our knowledge, the first of its kind. She also managed the Kol Nidre Appeal for three years, helped to build the toddler room, and served on the Board during the planning and execution of the shul extension.

Beyond the Board, Tamar’s volunteer efforts include co-hosting the Women & Spirituality Shavuot program, serving as a parent liaison for the 2024–2025 Bat Mitzvah program, volunteering with WIJS to publish community articles, and serving as a CSS volunteer. She is widely respected for her ability to collaborate, build consensus, and listen carefully to others while remaining grounded in her values. There is nothing she won’t do for her family, friends, or the larger community; she is living proof of the age-old wisdom that if you want something done, ask a busy person. While she resists recognition or praise for those accomplishments, she insists that she is just lucky enough to have the opportunity.

Speaking of busy people…after completing his MBA, Jon was unable to find a useful and meaningful career, settling instead for management consulting. Today he tells people (businesses) what to do for a living, which is fitting, because if you’ve had the good fortune of asking Jon’s advice about a business idea or career move, you’ve found that his gift is his ability to listen, understand, and guide. His self-deprecating humor and occasional cynicism belie the genuine empathy he has for those around him and his desire to see others happy. We in the community benefit from it, but none do more than Jonathan and Tamar’s children, Julia, Ben and Annie. Jon and Tamar’s dedication to family as parents, children and siblings is unparalleled.

Family aside, Jon’s unique impact on the community became no more visible than in June 2024 when he founded Jewventus Football Club, a serious yet totally unserious weekly pick-up soccer program. What began as a short-term opportunity to share his love for ‘the beautiful game’ with others has become a can’t-miss activity for many who are looking to get exercise, compete, and bond with others aged 16 to 60 with whom they may not otherwise interact. But there are two elements of JFC that are Jon Croog at their core: 1) all are welcome, and 2) negativity is not tolerated. Play hard and be a mensch on the field. And if you do, you just might make it into the Monday morning video highlight reel that Jon distributes each week while he asks AI to solve his clients’ business problems.

In different but beautifully complementary ways, Tamar and Jon have taught us that community is built on one conversation, one meal, one Sunday night soccer game, and one act of quiet leadership at a time. They make people feel seen, welcome, and valued — and they do it with humor, grace, and remarkable consistency. We honor not only what they have done, but who they are, and how profoundly they have shaped our YINR family. We are deeply grateful for all they give and proud to celebrate them.

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