Messages | HERJC Gala 2024

Messages

Message from Rabbi Schlesinger

"75 and Counting"

Rabbi Michel Schlesinger

How can you determine the success of a congregation after 75 years of existence? As the Hewlett East Rockaway Jewish Centre celebrates its 75th anniversary in 2024, this is a pertinent question to ponder. As Rabbis typically do, I have an answer to offer to my own rhetorical question. To affirm that a congregation is successful after 75 years, you need to check two things: firstly, whether the congregation can retain its old members and keep them, along with their families, actively involved in the routine of the synagogue; the second question to consider is whether the 75-year-old congregation has the vibrancy necessary to attract new members who may not have any past connection with the Shul.

Regarding the first question, the Markowitz clan showcases Herjc's capacity to retain and stimulate its old traditional members. Myra, Alan, Marty, Tova, Stuart, Eitan, and Shoshana are active members of Herjc. It is a privilege to be the Rabbi of this multigenerational family of Herjc members. Each, in their own way, contributes to the growth of our congregation by lending their different talents for the continuous enhancement of the Hewlett East Rockaway Jewish Centre.

As for the second question, the commitment of Jason Meltzer (with Margo, Anna, Brielle, and Brian) to our congregation speaks volumes. In 2021, Jason and his family moved to Long Beach with the intention of joining a Conservative Congregation in the area. They fell in love with Herjc and quickly became beloved family members. Jason is involved in several different areas of the congregation, always ready to help wherever needed. As a Board member, Executive member, and Ritual Committee chair, Jason has already shown his amazing leadership capacity in such a short period of time.

In conclusion, a congregation celebrating its 75th anniversary that is capable of retaining its veteran members and their families with a high level of involvement, while simultaneously attracting new members and making them feel like an integral part of the family quickly and deeply, deserves to celebrate its next 75 years (to begin with). Blessed is the person who has the honor to be the Rabbi of this congregation.

Herjc: Yom Huledet Sameach!

Message from Hazzan Zakarin

בֶּן זוֹמָא אוֹמֵר, אֵיזֶהוּ חָכָם, הַלּוֹמֵד מִכָּל אָדָם,

שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר מִכָּל מְלַמְּדַי הִשְׂכַּלְתִּי כִּי עֵדְוֹתֶיךָ שִׂיחָה לִּי.

Ben Zoma said: Who is wise? One who learns from every person, as it is said, “From all who taught me have I gained understanding.” Pirkei Avot 4:1

It is my honor and privilege to be recognizing this year’s 75th Anniversary Gala honorees for their continued dedication to and hard work for our HERJC community. Our honorees this year have been in service to HERJC in their own ways for many years. They have been able to guide our community in the right direction to be inclusive, welcoming, and successful.

Our amazing Honorees, Alan & Myra Markowitz, Marty Abrams, Stuart & Tova Markowitz, Eitan & Shoshana Markowitz, have been pillars in our HERJC family for many generations. To be able to call them my friends is an honor in and of itself. When I came to this community, it was the Markowitz family that opened their homes and invited me in for Shabbat and holiday meals, travels to plays and sharing the love of music and camp! It has been my pleasure to get to know this generous, loving, incredible family.

Our emerging leader has been an amazing light in our HERJC community. Jason Melzer. Jason and his equally amazing family have quickly become MVPs in our HERJC family. Jason’s dedication to our Board of Directors, serving as an Executive board member and the chair of our Ritual Committee has allowed his leadership to shine through. It is such an honor and privilege to recognize Jason as our Emerging Leader this year. I truly hope that this is only the beginning for him here as a leader in our community.

I would personally like to wish our honorees this year a hearty Mazel Tov and Todah Rabah for their unending support of our HERJC community.

Chazak Chazak V’Nitchazeik - Be strong, be strong, and we will strengthen one another.

With blessings and love,

Hazzan Zakarin

Message from Stephen Moelis, President

Dear Fellow HERJC Members,

As we celebrate our synagogue’s Diamond Anniversary, we take tremendous pride in what HERJC has meant to our community. Since its birth in 1949, HERJC represents a linchpin of Jewish ethical and ritual practice on Long Island. Throughout our history, we have been blessed with inspiring clergy, exceptional directors, amazing educators, and phenomenal staff who treat HERJC as a place for good to flourish. Accordingly, commemorating the past 75 years is not simply about our physical location, but also about the manner in which HERJC has been at the forefront of Conservative, egalitarian values.

Ultimately, HERJC is defined by its members. From those families who first gave their support to HERJC’s creation through the recent influx in the past three years of over 70 new families who now call themselves HERJC members, our congregation aspires to live up to the precepts of our forebearers. We acknowledge those, past and present, who have been steadfast financial supporters of HERJC. We express our appreciation to the countless volunteers throughout the decades who added to HERJC’s vibrancy and energy. And we offer a collective thanks to all those whose commitment to our synagogue has cemented HERJC’s place within the tapestry of Conservative Judaism.

It is only appropriate, then, that our honorees this year are the Markowitz and Abrams families, together with Jason Melzer as HERJC’s Emerging Leader. The Markowitz and Abrams clans represent four generations of HERJC members. They have been involved in most aspects of our synagogue life: Ritual, Sisterhood, Israeli Affairs, Youth, Education, Patrons, Board, and all forms of Tikkun Olam. And they continue to carry on the legacy of their family ancestors who enriched HERJC in countless ways. It is my privilege to be the lay leader at a time when we can honor such important and deserving families.

Likewise, it is also my honor to join others in bestowing HERJC’s Emerging Leader Award on Jason Melzer. From the moment Jason and Margo came to HERJC, their family has made an indelible mark on our congregation. Jason exemplifies leadership: selfless, deliberative, strategic, and most importantly with the welfare of HERJC in every thought. In Jason, I see a future leader of boundless abilities. HERJC is the intended and primary beneficiary of all that Jason has done, and will do, for our synagogue.

Yasher Koach to all our honorees and to HERJC members on this special Diamond year celebration!

Stephen Moelis

President

Message from Cheryl Karp, Early Childhood Director

It is my pleasure to help celebrate a remarkable family that has left an indelible mark on the Hewlett-East Rockaway Jewish Centre — the Abrams and the Markowitz families. From the pillars of our community, Marty Abrams, and Myra and Alan Markowitz, to the next generation, Tova and Stuart Markowitz, and their children, Shoshana and Eitan, they embody the spirit of dedication and service that defines the HERJC community.

Marty Abrams and Myra and Alan Markowitz stand as the patriarchs and matriarch of this incredible family. Their wisdom, warmth, and unwavering commitment have set the foundation for a legacy that spans generations. As the Early Childhood Director, it is my honor to pay tribute to their invaluable contributions.

Tova and Stuart, carrying the torch from their parents, have continued the family’s legacy with grace and passion. Their involvement in everything from Ritual Committee to Sisterhood, and Stuart’s role as Torah Gabbai exemplify their commitment to the well being of our community. Their leadership and tireless efforts have seamlessly woven them into the fabric of HERJC’s rich history.

Shoshana and Eitan, the torchbearers of the next generation, represent the continuity of this remarkable family. Their youthful energy, creativity and love for Israel bring a vibrant spirit to HERJC ensuring that the legacy of the Abrams and Markowitz family endures. It is my pleasure to join my temple community in honoring this wonderful family.

It is with great pleasure and admiration that I take a moment to honor Jason Melzer, an emerging leader within the Hewlett-East Rockaway Jewish Centre. Although Jason and his family have been members only recently, their impact on our community has truly been remarkable.

Jason’s journey with HERJC immediately began after leaving his congregation in New Jersey, demonstrating a deep commitment to our spiritual home. In his short time with us, Jason has become an integral part of our community, serving on numerous committees and taking on the crucial role of heading the ritual committee. His dedication to preserving and enhancing our traditions is truly commendable.

What sets Jason apart is not just his leadership roles but also the warmth and friendly nature that accompanies everything he does. Whether engaging with fellow congregants or working diligently behind the scenes, Jason’s positive spirit is evident in every aspect of his involvement.

Equally significant is the invaluable addition of Jason’s wife, Margot, who serves as a teacher at our Early Childhood Center. Her contributions to our educational programs have been outstanding, making her a cherished member of our community. It’s heartening to note that, on occasion, we were fortunate enough to find Jason in the classroom, ready to lend a helping hand.

The Melzer family, including their children, has seamlessly become an integral part of our HERJC family. Their willingness to contribute extend to the nursery school, where the entire family pitches in to create a nurturing and supportive environment.

In recognizing Jason Melzer as an emerging leader, we celebrate not just his individual achievements but the collective impact of the Melzer family on our community. We are grateful for their dedication, warmth, and commitment to making HERJC a place where everyone feels welcome and supported.

It is both my privilege and pleasure to express my heartfelt appreciation for his outstanding contributions to the Hewlett East Rockaway Jewish Centre.

Message from Beverly Wachtel & HERJC Sisterhood

75 years! A Diamond Jubilee! Now that is something to celebrate! On behalf of Sisterhood, I want to congratulate the honorees of our celebration.

The Markowitz/Abrams family has been involved at our synagogue since the beginning, with three generations of family currently involved. That is also something to celebrate! The women of this family have been valuable members of our Sisterhood. Myra Markowitz, a longtime member of Sisterhood, was Sisterhood President before I joined Sisterhood over 30 years ago. Tova Markowitz joined Sisterhood soon after she joined HERJC, and she attended Sisterhood events with her mother and mother-in-law. I would be remiss to not also mention Louise. Louise Abrams, may she rest in peace, was installed as President of our Sisterhood in 2018 and served as President for a year before she succumbed to her illness. She previously served as Corresponding Secretary, Recording Secretary, Book Club Chair, Torah Fund Co-Chair, and Purim Shaloch Manot Data Base Chair. In addition, Louise chaired events including Sisterhood Shabbat, Israeli Dancing, and Square Dances for couples. Louise was also a staunch supporter of Torah Fund. We honored Tova at our Torah Fund event the year Louise passed, presenting her with her mother’s Torah Fund pins beautifully displayed in a shadow box. Through her love, involvement in the Jewish community and commitment to HERJC, Louise served as a wonderful role model to Tova, Stu, Eitan and Shoshana, who are now all very active in the Jewish community. As a Sisterhood we thank Marty not only for his service to the congregation, but also for his service to Sisterhood as Louise’s driver - bringing her to HERJC for all of our meetings and events. Additionally, Marty Abrams is a Member of the Board of Directors and Chair of the “Greeters”, and previously served as Men’s Club President and Adult Ed Chair. Stuart Markowitz, in addition to growing up at HERJC, has recently joined the Board of Directors and Ritual Committee, and serves as Torah Gabbai at Shabbat services. Alan and Myra Markowitz have been longtime members of the Patrons society. The whole mishpachah attends services together. From volunteering to financial support, this family has done it all! Congratulations on being recognized for your commitment to HERJC.

The longtime involvement of members is the lifeblood of a congregation. Yet, it is not enough to have only longtime members. There are many congregations that thrived “back in the day” but whose memberships are dwindling as the members move away and pass away. To keep a congregation vibrant, it is necessary to also bring in new blood. We are fortunate at HERJC to have new members joining, getting involved and volunteering. Our new members include members of all ages, including young members with children. Jason Melzer is just such a member, and he is mensch in every sense of the word. He has a positive attitude and friendly nature. Everyone I spoke with who is on the ritual committee told me that he runs the committee the way it should be run. Congratulations Jason for being recognized for your leadership at HERJC as a Board Member, VP and Ritual Committee Chair, as well as for serving as a role model by attending Shabbat Services with your family and getting involved with them at HERJC events.

I am reminded of the Girl Scout song that my mother taught us as our troop leader when I was in the Brownies. “Make new friends, but keep the old, one is silver and the other’s gold.” The longtime members of HERJC are our gold, but we also need silver to complete our treasure. On behalf of Sisterhood, I congratulate all of our honorees for being recognized for the treasure that they are.