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Saturday Evening, March 2, 2024, 7:00PM
HONORING
HONORING
Tova & Stuart Markowitz
Shoshana Markowitz
Eitan Markowitz
Shoshana Markowitz
Eitan Markowitz
Myra & Alan Markowitz
Tova & Stuart Markowitz
and Marty Abrams
and Marty Abrams
L'Dor V'Dor. The Markowitz and Abrams families have been linked for generations. Both families have roots at the Bayswater Jewish Center which have carried over to HERJC. The Markowitz affiliation with HERJC originates with HERJC's founding in 1949, when Rabbi Rubin Dobin, uncle of Myra Markowitz, became HERJC's first interim Rabbi.
Eleven years later, in 1960, Dr. Alan and Myra Markowitz were married at HERJC. In 1965, they returned from Philadelphia and joined HERJC as active members while continuing to grow their family. Throughout the years, Myra served as HERJC's Sisterhood President and participated on the Synagogue Sanctuary Beautification Committee. Both Alan and Myra continue to be members of the Patrons (Kassel) Society. In addition, Alan and Myra celebrated many simchas at HERJC such as the bar-mitzvot of their three sons (Michael, Richard, and Stuart), children’s weddings, and welcoming their grandchildren. When Sol and Henri Dobin (z"l) (Myra's parents) joined HERJC in 1982, three generations of the Markowitz family were now part of the synagogue.
The Abrams involvement with HERJC started in 1992 with Marty, Louise (z"l), and Tova. As synagogue enthusiasts, Marty and Louise became active in HERJC practically from the start. Louise served in various roles within Sisterhood, including being President. Marty revived the Men's Club as its President and also chaired the Adult Education Committee. Additionally, Louise and Marty were both Simchat Torah honorees. He currently serves on HERJC's Board of Directors, the Ritual Committee, and chairs the Greeters' Committee for Shabbat and holiday services. Marty was also the coordinator of the Israel Fair at HERJC. Marty and Louise's most savory contribution was serving their delicious matzo ball soup during the HERJC Sukkah Hop.
Rabbi Stanley Platek (z"l) was a significant connector between the two families. He was family friends with Alan and Myra and Marty and Louise through their affiliation with the Bayswater Jewish Center (Rabbi Platek's first congregation), and he ultimately united Tova and Stuart – Thank you, Cele Platek, for introducing the couple!! In August of 1996, Tova and Stuart were happily married at HERJC. In 1998, they became official members. Stuart's leadership involvement started when he was a child in HERJC's Junior Congregation. In 1980, Stuart won the prestigious Tefilah Award with the gift of a Tikun (which he still uses today). In addition, he was active in HERJC's USY program as the head of Ritual. Today, he serves on HERJC's Board of Directors, the Ritual Committee, and is chair of the Torah Gabbai Committee. Stuart is also a recipient of the Hatan Beresheit Award in 2019 during Simchat Torah. Tova is a member of Sisterhood and was HERJC's 2021 Torah Fund Honoree. The family continued to grow with Eitan and Shoshana becoming the fourth generation. They both celebrated their B'nai Mitzvot here and Shoshana was Vice President of USY.
We are thankful to HERJC for this special L'dor V'dor honor. We wish our dear friend, Jason Melzer, a hearty Mazel Tov on his well-deserved honor as HERJC's Emerging Leader.
L'Dor V'Dor. Let HERJC continue to thrive from generation to generation.
Jason Melzer
Emerging Leader
Jason grew up in Island Park, where he and his family were members of Island Park Jewish Center. He attended Binghamton University where he received a B.A. in political science in 1997. Jason graduated from Hofstra University School of Law in 2000 and served as an editor of the Hofstra Law Review.
After graduating law school, Jason began his legal career as a litigation associate at Fischbein Badillo Wagner Harding, LLP. He is currently a senior partner of Cole Schotz, P.C. and has been with the firm for the past twenty years. While his practice is primarily commercial in nature, Jason has a passion for constitutional law and successfully argued a constitutional case of first impression before the Supreme Court of New Jersey.
While working in Manhattan, Jason was introduced to the love of his life by a mutual friend. Jason immediately fell in love with Margo’s compassion, intelligence, and elegance, and the two were engaged in less than a year. In 2003, Margo and Jason were married at the Valley Regency in Clifton, New Jersey. Margo and Jason welcomed their first son, Aaron Matthew, into the world on July 29, 2007. Not so long after, they were blessed with their triplets, Anna, Brielle, and Brian on April 5, 2009. Jason and Margo worked long hours both at their respective careers and caring for four children under two years old. Through trying times, Jason and Margo’s love for each other and commitment to a Jewish household grew manyfold.
After losing Aaron in a tragic accident in 2019, Jason and Margo decided to move from their home in Montville, New Jersey and return to New York to be closer to family. This was a difficult decision, especially because it meant leaving their congregation at Pine Brook Jewish Center. While moving back to New York presented challenges, it was made so much easier by finding their new spiritual home at HERJC. Their family was embraced with open arms by the entire community and quickly it became clear that they had found a very special place. Jason, Margo, Anna, Brielle, and Brian have all been growing in their Jewish learning and observance and the opportunities provided by HERJC have been so crucial in that process. Loving friends, compassionate clergy, and committed leadership at the synagogue have all played such a critical role.
Jason and Margo seek to give back and contribute to the community as much as possible. To that end, Jason currently serves as a Vice President of the Board and Chair of the Ritual Committee, in addition to serving as a member of various other committees. Margo is a teacher at HERJC’s Early Childhood Center and delivers food to families in need for Hatzilu. Both Jason and Margo look forward to serving the community for many years to come.
Thank you, HERJC family, for this wonderful honor tonight. Heartfelt congratulations to all three generations of the Abrams/Markowitz family also being honored at this Gala. May HERJC go from strength to strength: Chazak, Chazak, V'nitchazek.
After graduating law school, Jason began his legal career as a litigation associate at Fischbein Badillo Wagner Harding, LLP. He is currently a senior partner of Cole Schotz, P.C. and has been with the firm for the past twenty years. While his practice is primarily commercial in nature, Jason has a passion for constitutional law and successfully argued a constitutional case of first impression before the Supreme Court of New Jersey.
While working in Manhattan, Jason was introduced to the love of his life by a mutual friend. Jason immediately fell in love with Margo’s compassion, intelligence, and elegance, and the two were engaged in less than a year. In 2003, Margo and Jason were married at the Valley Regency in Clifton, New Jersey. Margo and Jason welcomed their first son, Aaron Matthew, into the world on July 29, 2007. Not so long after, they were blessed with their triplets, Anna, Brielle, and Brian on April 5, 2009. Jason and Margo worked long hours both at their respective careers and caring for four children under two years old. Through trying times, Jason and Margo’s love for each other and commitment to a Jewish household grew manyfold.
After losing Aaron in a tragic accident in 2019, Jason and Margo decided to move from their home in Montville, New Jersey and return to New York to be closer to family. This was a difficult decision, especially because it meant leaving their congregation at Pine Brook Jewish Center. While moving back to New York presented challenges, it was made so much easier by finding their new spiritual home at HERJC. Their family was embraced with open arms by the entire community and quickly it became clear that they had found a very special place. Jason, Margo, Anna, Brielle, and Brian have all been growing in their Jewish learning and observance and the opportunities provided by HERJC have been so crucial in that process. Loving friends, compassionate clergy, and committed leadership at the synagogue have all played such a critical role.
Jason and Margo seek to give back and contribute to the community as much as possible. To that end, Jason currently serves as a Vice President of the Board and Chair of the Ritual Committee, in addition to serving as a member of various other committees. Margo is a teacher at HERJC’s Early Childhood Center and delivers food to families in need for Hatzilu. Both Jason and Margo look forward to serving the community for many years to come.
Thank you, HERJC family, for this wonderful honor tonight. Heartfelt congratulations to all three generations of the Abrams/Markowitz family also being honored at this Gala. May HERJC go from strength to strength: Chazak, Chazak, V'nitchazek.