HONORING OUR GEMS
Joan and Dan Silna moved to Woodcliff Lake in 1971. They felt it was important to be a part of the Jewish community so they immediately got involved with UJA Federation, ORT, and the YM-YWHA. In 1974 they joined Temple Emanuel in Westwood and became active in Temple life. As part of the building committee, Dan was among the group that helped Temple Emanuel move to our current location and they took part in that wonderfully moving march with Rabbi Ungar and Cantor Biddelman from Westwood to Woodcliff Lake and “up the hill”.
One of their most significant and satisfying philanthropic endeavors was the building of REED Academy’s new facilities in Oakland, NJ, which provides one-on-one ABA Therapy for children on the autism spectrum.
Dan has served as president of UJA Federation, the YM-YWHA in Washington Township, and Temple Emanuel and the Gerrard Berman Day School in Oakland. Joan has served on the Jewish Federation of Northern New Jersey (JFNNJ) Women’s Board and on the PFA Board of Pascack Valley High School.
Their greatest contribution to the future are their children Tracy and Amy, their sons-in-law, Bobby and Bill and their grandchildren.
From the moment Beth and Gary moved into Woodcliff Lake they have been fully engaged in their quest to be integrated into Jewish life in the Pascack Valley. They are not just joiners, but provide leadership at every level. Prior to tonight, Beth and Gary have been honored by Israeli Bonds and the YJCC, as well as Gary’s industry association, for their activism. But it is the Temple that provides them with the greatest satisfaction. Beth has oft stated, “It is our integrated happy place.”
Beth is in her seventh year as an ECP teacher. She played a pivotal role in helping the transition of many families when the Y school closed and was absorbed into the ECP of Temple Emanuel. She was a Mommy and Me facilitator and co-chaired what remains the most successful holiday fundraiser, the Purim Comedy Night.
Gary has always been a familiar face in the Temple Emanuel community; leading shiva minyanim when called upon, being one of the weekly daveners at the Sunday Morning Services, and a regular Shabbat attendee. He worked closely with the regional AIPAC office and led numerous groups to the annual conference. Gary served on the YJCC Board for 20 years in various capacities and, ultimately, as its President for three years. Simultaneously, Gary served on various college committees at his beloved alma mater and for five years was on the Jewish Home Assisted Living Board.
Gary began his involvement with Temple Emanuel first as a member of the Board of Trustees. Later he became a Vice President and from 2008-2010 was President. His presidency was noted for a number of very positive changes, one of which is the transformation of our professional staff. Gary was integrally involved in the hiring of Rabbi Kniaz, as well as, a new ECP director and our current Executive Director. Most recently, he co-chaired both the Cantorial and Rabbinic searches, which resulted in the hiring of Cantor Sokoloff and Rabbi Monosov.
Since his presidential term, Gary has remained immersed in Temple life. Gary served as House and Grounds chair. Currently he is handling the monthly memorial lights and plaques, co-chairing the congregational field trips and theater trips, and serving as Ritual Committee Chairperson. He is a change agent and his continued immersion in Temple life demonstrates his lifelong commitment to our synagogue.
Beth and Gary are proud parents of three Temple Emanuel graduates, two of whom attended ECP at Temple Emanuel and Hebrew High. Raising Danielle, Carly and Alexa, is the ultimate honor in their lives.
Rabbi Shelley Kniaz is proud to be in her tenth year as Director of Congregational Education at Temple Emanuel of the Pascack Valley in Woodcliff Lake, where she is privileged to work with students from ages 3 – 94 years old. Rabbi Kniaz brings her talents for developing quality education in an enjoyable, stimulating learning environment for students, their families and the school faculty. Personal relationships are essential to her rabbinate. The TEPV religious school is known locally for its excellence; this reputation has spread nationally and in Israel. Rabbi Kniaz loves being part of a team. She is fortunate to have an outstanding Board of Education with exceptional chairpeople, and to have Mike Padva as her mentor. She works closely with Rabbi Loren Monosov and Cantor Alan Sokoloff and the ECP and enjoys a strong and creative partnership with Margie Shore. She is grateful to the office and maintenance staff for their support.
The TEPV religious school benefitted from a 2016 Covenant Foundation Ignition Grant for its project “EdTech Training for Congregational Schools” submitted by KULANU NNJ: a consortium of Reform & Conservative congregational schools and JFNNJ, which Rabbi Kniaz co-founded and co-directs. Currently she is applying for a three-year grant in Inclusion training. Rabbi Kniaz introduced the 7th grade online course “Mi-shoah Le-Tekumah: Remembering and Rebuilding,” developed for Temple Emanuel by JETSIsrael, now offered to synagogue schools throughout North America. She also helped develop their Shutafut online exchange program between students in Israel and the Diaspora. She serves on the Board of JETSIsrael in an advisory capacity.
Rabbi Kniaz has been a curriculum writer and trainer and has taught in both synagogue and Solomon Schechter Day Schools. She has a BA in Hebrew and Semitic Studies from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She received her MA in Jewish Education at JTS and was in the first class of women accepted into the Rabbinical School there. A resident of Teaneck, New Jersey, and active member of her “other shul,” Congregation Beth Sholom, she is married to Rabbi/Dr. Eliezer Diamond and is the mother of five and grandmother of three.