It has been such a pleasure and privilege working with you all these years! 

Amy & Isio - We have seen, on a daily basis, your commitment to ensure that all our members' needs are met. We love and deeply appreciate your ever-present smiles, concern, and constant readiness to help, whether we've popped into the office or sent an after-hours urgent email. You've anticipated our needs so often on things dinner-related (and otherwise) and saved the day on more than one occasion!  We are so grateful to you and look forward to many more projects together.
Mira & Anton - Your thoughtful dedication and stewardship goes WELL beyond running the shul building itself.  You have somehow taken on the well-being of the shul members themselves. Of course, you nimbly and brilliantly manage the never-ending and always-changing needs of our buildings, but you also find time and space in your heart to make sure people are cared for, like making sure all leave shul accompanied when necessary. Thank you for being an example to us all of not only professional excellence but how to treat each and every human. Mira - You're also funny as heck and need to be in every shul video ever...   

 

Tamar and Jonathan
 

To Michelle
I am so grateful for whatever happened to be in the air the day you agreed to be board liaison for the dinner (P.S. nothing was in the air - you're just that gracious). You are quite simply amazing and have done such a spectacular job - taking all this on during a bar mitzvah year, no less!
I truly do not know how you not only do it all, but make it look easy with your preternatural calm and awesome sense of humor.
Thank you for being so darn smart, detail oriented, and responsible, and for having such innately good judgment. As I know your parents were so involved in the Riverdale community, it is clear to see that you are so beautifully and skillfully continuing their legacy with all the many things you do. Our shul is much the better for it!   
 
I look forward to working together on many more projects in the future and am so fortunate for your friendship!

Best regards,
Tamar
 

Dear Rabbi & Rebbetzin Axelrod,
We are endlessly grateful to both of you and humbled to be a small part of what is truly your night. 
You personify bitachon, lamdanut, kindness and generosity.  The wise, genuine and lovely people you are, coupled with the thought and effort you put into inspiring and supporting our community is not only awe-inspiring but incredibly impactful on ALL of us at YINR.
You also embody the concept of how magic happens when talent meets hard work. You are absolute naturals at what you do. You deliver divrei torah that are sophisticated, compelling and inspiring, and you also exemplify the extremely difficult skill of meeting people where they are at to help us get just a little better every day. At the same time, whether it's a creative new program to reach yet another demographic in our shul, or making a family feel embraced at a milestone in their lives through the delivery of a beautiful challah or sweet treat, you not only constantly and consistently show up, but time after time, you add even more to your beyond-full plates to benefit the community. 
On a personal level, our relationship with you both as our teachers (and our children's teachers), spiritual leaders, confidantes ,and friends means so much to us. You are role models to us in your relationship to Hashem, and in the ways you lead, parent and conduct yourselves.
What a bracha to our shul to have the Axelrods in our community and what a bracha to our family!  Wishing you and your incredible family a HUGE mazal tov and yasher koach!!

Tamar and Jonathan
 

Dear Rabbi and Rebbetzin Fink - 
It is with a lot of emotion that we give thanks to you both. You haven have been rocks, and dear friends, to our family for literally decades. You have tended to our immediate and extended family with deep wisdom, compassion, creativity and, always, with painstaking care and a huge heart. We say "painstaking" on purpose because, having worked with you both, we have seen you both agonize over how to treat a sensitive situation in such a way where all people feel heard, respected, and advised.
There have been moments when your brilliant halachic guidance and chizuk got us through some serious challenges. There have, thankfully, been other times when it's been your enhancement of our simchot with joy and humour (and, again, your brilliant halachic guidance) that has been so meaningful. 
All of these times have left an indelible impression on our family and we truly cannot imagine our Shabbatot without your words of scholarship and spirituality or our family without your leadership.   

 

Tamar and Jonathan
 

Thank you to the many people who worked so hard and so brilliantly to make this a memorable event for the entire YINR community:
 Ayala, Sophia and the Dinner Committee
Ellie, Teri and the Journal Committee
Jordana, Dana and the Raffle Committee
Shmueli, Stephanie, Stan, Elana, Naomi, Gary and the entire A/V crew
Abby and the Seating Committee
The Food, Beverage and Decor Committees
The Gift Committees
The Bio Writers
The On-air Talent
The Seating Committee
and many more...
Having been on the other side of this, we are EXTRA grateful for (and extremely touched by) the time you took out of your packed schedules and the incredible care and attention you put into making the dinner such a beautiful and meaningful night.  You made this process so lovely and smooth.  
We fully know how lucky we and the shul are to be the beneficiaries of such creativity, thoughtfulness, efficiency and expertise... 
Thank you! Thank you!
Tamar & Jonathan 
 

First and foremost, we give thanks to Hashem for every blessing we have and for the opportunity to serve Him in all ways.
To the YINR Community - As our collective home for 18 years (and Tamar's home for much longer than that), our appreciation to the YINR community is immense and manifold.
The deep friendships we have made have been the most wonderful gift.   Our hopes for how much of a "home" a neighborhood could be have been so vastly exceeded.  We look up to you, feel supported by you and are so deeply greatly for your enhancement of our family's lives.  
We are also so proud and humbled to be a part of this kehilah and privileged to have our children grow up in an environment that holds chessed so close to its heart.  
To learn how to be a contributing member of a community, one just needs to see YINR members in action. Tamar grew up watching members plan weddings for brides who needed that extra support for various reasons, volunteer material time to shadchanut, rally around members with special needs or with illness, take strong leadership roles in national Jewish organizations, and so much more. That spirit of service - and support of Eretz Yisrael, our members, and the local New Rochelle community - has only increased with time and, Iy"h, will continue to grow thanks to our incredible members and leadership. 
No doubt that our children are and will be inspired by our community members just as we have been.   
 

Mazal Tov to

Rabbi and Rebbetzin Axelrod.

We are so grateful for your leadership and commitment to our community. Your dedication is an inspiration to all of us and we are lucky to have
role models and Torah scholars like you to look up to.
Thank you for all you do, may Hashem always bless you and your entire family.

Yasher Koach to

Tamar and Jonathan Croog

on this well deserved honor.

Thank you for being pillars of our community and

generously giving of your talents, time and chesed.

May you continue to be blessed to do your good work.

 

 

On behalf of Jonathan's BCG colleagues, his work family as it were, we are delighted to extend our warmest congratulations to

Jonathan and Tamar

on this well-deserved recognition.

Those of us who have the privilege of working with Jonathan see every day the integrity, thoughtfulness, and leadership he brings to everything he does. He leads with both conviction and humility, earning deep respect not just for his professional accomplishments, but for the way he supports and uplifts those around him.
For anyone who has the distinct pleasure of observing Jonathan live his values every day, it is abundantly clear that those values extend far beyond the workplace. They reflect a broader commitment to community, to family, and to making a meaningful difference, commitments that Jonathan and Tamar clearly share.
We are honored to celebrate this moment with you and to recognize the impact you have made. Congratulations again on this special and well-earned honor.
 
 Christy, Derek, Lasse, Luca, Prabhpal, Russ, and Tanveer

 

 

We proudly join our community in extending blessings

and good wishes to our honorees this evening.

To

 

Rabbi Chaim and Yael Axelrod,

 

who have done so much to uplift our community with their teachings and spiritual energy and ever present warmth. Thank you!

 

Thank you to

 

Tamar and Jonathan Croog

 

for their selfless service and dedication to our community. May the Young Israel continue to grow and may your contributions and service continue for many years to come. 

 

Laurie Bilger and Eli Epstein

 

 

Rabbi and Rebbetzin Axelrod,

Mazal Tov on this well-deserved honor. It is hard to imagine that there was ever a time before you joined our community - you have brightened our lives since day one. Thank you both for your warm and inspiring leadership.

 

TC and JC,

Mazal Tov on this incredible honor. We know it is difficult for you to be recognized publicly, but it is the least we as a community can do for all that you contribute, both the Nigleh and the Nistar. You are remarkable people and we treasure our bond. Having friends who are also role models is a rare gift. If ever in doubt as to how to handle a situation, all we do to get appropriately oriented is ask, 'what would Jon and Tamar do?'. We are so proud of you for this honor - you are the embodiments of our community's highest values. We look forward to many decades of meals, stories and laughter. We love you. -

 

Jill and Ami Goldfein

Chaim and Yael,

It is with gratitude and admiration we celebrate
Chaim and Yael on this remarkable milestone.

Your wisdom, compassion and unwavering devotion have strengthened
our community in countless ways.

Thank you for inspiring us, guiding us and being there for us
each day.

Mazel Tov on this well-deserved honor.

 

Tamar and John

Mazel Tov on this well-deserved recognition.

Your commitment, generosity and tireless devotion have made a
lasting impact on our community.

We are so proud to celebrate you and grateful for all you do.

 

Mazel Tov, 

ODE TO WORTHY HONOREES

Rabbi Chaim and Yael,

Our leaders Rabbinical,

They are kind, sweet, and thoughtful, Good natured, never cynical.

Their sunny dispositions Might just be contagious.

Their six children are perfect It's almost outrageous!

Dovi, Akiva, and Aharon Oh my! How they have grown!

Ever since they were little Exemplary Midos they have shown.

Three daughters, Nava, Esti, & Liba.

Not a single one acts like a "diva."

The Axelrods' Shiurim Are spellbinding, filled with Torah.

They brilliantly impart our beloved Mesorah.

Together with Rabbi Reuven and our dear Abby Fink,

Our YINR is the best shul we think!!

Rabbi Fink, Mara D'Asra, since 1981,

With our burgeoning shul His work is never done.

To our rabbinical scholars Rabbis Fink and Axelrod,

May you and your loved ones Be blessed by Hashem, our loving G-d!!

Best Wishes to Rabbi Chaim & Yael Axelrod on a well-deserved honor.

 

Ellen and Stanley Wasserman

 

Tamar and Jon,

You embody the very spirit of a YINR couple, leading with warmth, thoughtfulness, boundless hospitality and, most importantly, an ever-present positive outlook. Through your actions, you reflect what makes the New Rochelle community so special: a place where everyone feels welcomed and valued. Your endless dedication and commitment to the shul and your family and neighbors are truly inspiring, and your friendship means so much to us. We are delighted to celebrate you this evening and to see you receive this well-deserved honor. Mazal Tov!

 

Rabbi and Rebbetzin Axelrod,

From the moment we shared lunch with you on your probeh Shabbat, we sensed that you would be a wonderful fit for our community. How right that instinct proved to be! In the time since, you have enriched our family and so many others through your leadership, initiative and genuine warmth. From meaningful conversations to the thoughtful ways you consistently show up for people, your impact is felt not only in the shul, but in the everyday moments. On a personal level, our family is deeply grateful for your guidance, dedication and friendship, and all of us feel personally fortunate to have you in our lives. Mazal Tov on this ten year milestone! 

 

Shira and Andrew Wurzburger

 

Mazal Tov to

 

Rabbi Chaim and Yael Axelrod

 

With profound gratitude, we celebrate your ten years of dedicated service to the Young Israel of New Rochelle. You truly embody the theme of Aseh lecha Rav Ukneh lecha Chaver-as both our teachers and our friends. Thank you for your tireless wisdom, warmth, and guidance.

We are inspired by your family's commitment to Torah and chessed,

and we are privileged to have you as our leaders.

 

Mazal Tov

 

Tamar and Jon!

 

We extend our deepest gratitude to you for the many years of dedicated service and friendship. Thank you for your kindness and inspiration!

Your leadership and commitment have been a cornerstone of our community.

 

With love and appreciation,

Rachel and Gary Berger

 

Rabbi Chaim and Rebbitzen Yael

It has been deeply meaningful to watch your journey unfold, from the early decision to dedicate your life to serving Am Yisrael, through your steps along the way in your rabbinic roles, to this special milestone of celebrating a decade of service at the Young Israel of New Rochelle. Seeing that vision grow into the remarkable rabbinic leadership team you both embody today has been a true source of pride and inspiration.

You are truly an exceptional rabbinic couple, whose impact is felt across the community and beyond. Your Torah touches and inspires so many, while your warmth and genuine care allow you to connect with people of all ages and backgrounds. You set an example for others in your Avodas Hashem, your dedication to others, and the way you live your lives with purpose and meaning. 

With much love and admiration,
Mazal Tov on this well-deserved honor,

 

Shalom and Ruchie Axelrod & Family

 

 

We are delighted to celebrate our dear friends,

Tamar and Jon Croog,

on receiving this well-deserved Community Leadership Award. Your dedication, generosity, and unwavering commitment to strengthening our community inspire everyone around you. Whether through your leadership, your compassion, or the countless quiet ways you show up for others, you embody the very spirit of service this honor represents.

 

We are also proud to recognize

Rabbi and Yael Axelrod

on marking 10 years of devoted service.

Your sustained commitment and meaningful contributions have left a lasting imprint on our community, and this milestone is a testament to your generosity and heart.

 

Tamar and Jon, Rabbi Axelrod and Yael-

your collective impact reaches far beyond what can be measured. You bring people together, uplift those in need, and set a powerful example for all of us. Congratulations on these remarkable and well-earned honors. Our community is stronger because of you.

 

Carrie and Kevin Rose & Family

 

Rabbi Chaim & Yael Axelrod

It has been a pleasure to support Rabbi and Rebbetzin Axelrod in their many contributions to the community. Their professionalism, warmth, and constant readiness to serve are evident in every interaction. Through the Rabbi's Torah classes and the Rebbetzin's educational efforts, their influence is felt throughout the community, and reflected as well in their family.

Tamar & Jonathan Croog

It has been humbling and inspiring to witness Tamar and Jonathan's chessed and commitment to the community over the years. Their dedication is evident in all that they do. Tamar consistently brings kindness, professionalism, and focus to her volunteer work, with genuine warmth and grace. Truly exceptional individuals, whose impact is felt throughout the community.

Marcia and Isio Jacobovitz 

To

Rabbi Chaim and Yael Axelrod,

Our community is profoundly enriched by your presence and your leadership. We have watched with admiration as you have dedicated yourselves to the spiritual and social growth of our shul. Your warmth, wisdom, and tireless commitment to the Associate Rabbi's office are a true inspiration to us all.

 

To

Jonathan and Tamar Croog,

To our dear friends-your devotion to our community is matched only by your friendship. Whether through your quiet acts of kindness or your active leadership, you embody the very best of our shul's values. We feel truly fortunate to walk this path alongside you.

 

To both couples, This honor is a testament to the countless hours you contribute and the heart you pour into everything you do.

May you continue to lead with such grace and go from strength to strength.

 

With deep affection and respect,  

 

Mazal Tov to

Tamar and Jonathan Croog

on your well-deserved honor as recipients of the Community Leadership  Award.
I can't think of 2 more deserving people than you!
To say that it is an honor to work with you is an understatement.
You bring joy to my job, and I really enjoy every opportunity we have to work together.
 
Mazal Tov to

Rabbi Chaim and Yael Axelrod.

This honor is a testament to all the hard work you do every day for the YINR community.
I feel honored to have the opportunity to work with you on a daily basis. Whenever I have a question, you always have an answer! I always know that you are here to help if needed.
The YINR community is so blessed to have you.
 

 

Amy and Eli Stein

 

Yeshiva University High School for Boys (MTA) and

Yeshiva University High School for Girls (Central)

extend a heartfelt Mazal Tov to this year's YINR Guests of Honor

       

Best wishes to our friends

Rabbi Chaim & Yael Axelrod

and

Tamar & Jonathan Croog

on this most deserving honor.
We are thrilled to be able to share this special night with you.