HONOREES
HONOREES 2024
OUR STAR HONOREES
Dr. Steven Leibowitz has been a continuous member of Temple Emanuel for over 50 years when his parents Esther and Arnold (z”l) joined our congregation. Shortly after becoming a member of the Board of Trustees in 2008, and with the board leadership recognizing the impact of the global economic crisis, Steve was asked to deliver the first High Holiday Annual Fund Appeal on Yom Kippur. He has delivered the appeal every year since and has elevated the Annual Fund into an indispensable resource for all religious, educational, and social outreach programming here at Temple Emanuel. In 2020, with the pandemic looming, Steve was asked to spearhead the COVID-19 Medical Advisory Board. Working alongside Dr. Mark Tanchel, Rabbi Monosov, Roni Shapiro, and Lisa Cohen, the advisory board navigated our community through the dire early days of first having to shutter our doors, and then through the timely, incremental resumption of in-person worship and simchas and Hebrew and Jewish learning. This included being one of the first organizations, Jewish or otherwise, to meet the safety standards required to reopen an early childhood program in September of 2020.
As President, Steve has immersed himself in all aspects of synagogue functions, working closely with clergy and administrators in an effort to remain engaged with all the varied demographics of our congregation. Under his leadership, working tirelessly with the Executive Board, committee chairs and our devoted administrators, Temple Emanuel has revitalized our youth and teen engagement and programming. During his term, we have resumed our Hebrew High School and significantly expanded our adult education. Most importantly, since the horrific attack of October 7th, Steve has worked closely with all to prioritize enhanced security measures for those who entrust Temple Emanuel with the safety and security of their loved ones. As Temple Emanuel President, in the aftermath of October 7th and during the ensuing conflict, he has endeavored to best serve our community by fostering a sense of Jewish pride and unity through his speeches at rallies and at what he regards as his most cherished role as President - that of presenting the traditional congregational gifts to each and every Bar/Bat Mitzvah.
Dr. Leibowitz received his bachelor’s degree from Tufts University and his medical degree from Georgetown University School of Medicine in Washington, DC. He did his residency and fellowship at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center and Cornell University-North Shore University Hospital. He joined the gastroenterology practice of his father and had the blessing of working together with him for 30 years. Dr. Leibowitz has been repeatedly recognized as a “Top Doctor” by Castle Connolly as well as by New Jersey and Bergen magazines. He has also been fortunate to be able to blend two great passions – his medical career and The New York Giants – serving as a part of their medical team for over 2 decades.
But for Steve, none of his endeavors and achievements compare to the pride and joy he has being father to his two daughters, Estelle and Gabrielle, and husband to Susan. His enduring connection to Temple Emanuel is that three of the greatest days of his life happened in our sanctuary – Susan and Steven’s wedding and Gabby and Stellie becoming Bat Mitzvah.
Josh and Amanda Bakhash
Josh and Amanda moved to Woodcliff Lake in 2015 and shortly afterwards joined Temple Emanuel of the Pascack Valley. Their connection began through the Early Childhood Program, enrolling each of their three daughters: Ayla, Addison, and Ariana, and continuing them on to Religious School as they age in. As their oldest daughter began her time at the synagogue, so too did Josh and Amanda’s connection to the synagogue. Amanda has been an important leader in the Early Childhood Parents Association (ECPA,) first chairing the Sunshine Committee and ultimately becoming a co-President of the ECPA. Understanding the vital connection between the Early Childhood Program and the Religious School, Amanda serves as the liaison serving as a conduit between families and the synagogue. Josh began his leadership at the synagogue as a co-chair of the Men’s Club with his brother Ruben. Josh now serves on our Executive Committee; helping to shape the synagogue to enter the next century of its’ future.
For Josh and Amanda, the synagogue is a family affair. It is not uncommon to see one of them in the hallways of the building, as they both give so much of their time, energy, and resources to the synagogue. But don’t be surprised if you are in the hallway and see another Bakhash. Over the years, Josh’s brothers’ children have been in the ECP with Josh’s family; ensuring a cousin reunion.
Josh and Amanda were attracted to the warmth and vibrancy of the community and the activities that speak to all generations; including scotch in the sukkah that Josh helped ensure continued under his Men’s Club leadership. Over the years, both have begun to place their mark on the community, and they are excited for their continued leadership roles.
When they are not at the synagogue, Josh is a finance professional with a robust academic background, holding a master’s in finance from Baruch College and graduating with honors from Montclair State University with a degree in finance. Furthering his expertise, he pursued certification as a Certified Financial Planner™ (CFP®) at Fairleigh Dickinson University. Alongside his brother, Ruben Bakhash, Joshua manages an investment and financial planning practice known as The Bakhash Team, affiliated with LPL Financial. They are focused on guiding individuals, families, and small businesses towards achieving their financial goals and aspirations, emphasizing a personalized, family-oriented approach.
Amanda is a dedicated pediatric speech pathologist based in Woodcliff Lake, NJ. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Communicative Disorders from the University of Wisconsin - Madison and a Master of Science in Speech Pathology from Seton Hall University. With her Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech Language Pathology (CCC-SLP), she has established herself as a proficient professional in the field. Amanda's passion lies in helping children overcome speech and language challenges, and she currently manages her own practice, providing specialized care to young ones.
Their greatest joy and satisfaction come from their devoted love for one another and their three daughters, Ayla, Addison, and Ariana.
Josh and Amanda moved to Woodcliff Lake in 2015 and shortly afterwards joined Temple Emanuel of the Pascack Valley. Their connection began through the Early Childhood Program, enrolling each of their three daughters: Ayla, Addison, and Ariana, and continuing them on to Religious School as they age in. As their oldest daughter began her time at the synagogue, so too did Josh and Amanda’s connection to the synagogue. Amanda has been an important leader in the Early Childhood Parents Association (ECPA,) first chairing the Sunshine Committee and ultimately becoming a co-President of the ECPA. Understanding the vital connection between the Early Childhood Program and the Religious School, Amanda serves as the liaison serving as a conduit between families and the synagogue. Josh began his leadership at the synagogue as a co-chair of the Men’s Club with his brother Ruben. Josh now serves on our Executive Committee; helping to shape the synagogue to enter the next century of its’ future.For Josh and Amanda, the synagogue is a family affair. It is not uncommon to see one of them in the hallways of the building, as they both give so much of their time, energy, and resources to the synagogue. But don’t be surprised if you are in the hallway and see another Bakhash. Over the years, Josh’s brothers’ children have been in the ECP with Josh’s family; ensuring a cousin reunion.
Josh and Amanda were attracted to the warmth and vibrancy of the community and the activities that speak to all generations; including scotch in the sukkah that Josh helped ensure continued under his Men’s Club leadership. Over the years, both have begun to place their mark on the community, and they are excited for their continued leadership roles.
When they are not at the synagogue, Josh is a finance professional with a robust academic background, holding a master’s in finance from Baruch College and graduating with honors from Montclair State University with a degree in finance. Furthering his expertise, he pursued certification as a Certified Financial Planner™ (CFP®) at Fairleigh Dickinson University. Alongside his brother, Ruben Bakhash, Joshua manages an investment and financial planning practice known as The Bakhash Team, affiliated with LPL Financial. They are focused on guiding individuals, families, and small businesses towards achieving their financial goals and aspirations, emphasizing a personalized, family-oriented approach.
Amanda is a dedicated pediatric speech pathologist based in Woodcliff Lake, NJ. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Communicative Disorders from the University of Wisconsin - Madison and a Master of Science in Speech Pathology from Seton Hall University. With her Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech Language Pathology (CCC-SLP), she has established herself as a proficient professional in the field. Amanda's passion lies in helping children overcome speech and language challenges, and she currently manages her own practice, providing specialized care to young ones.
Their greatest joy and satisfaction come from their devoted love for one another and their three daughters, Ayla, Addison, and Ariana.
Enid z”l and Ed were inseparable, especially when it involved our synagogue! They became members in 1965.
Enid began her involvement with Sisterhood and was its President in 1980, the year the congregation migrated from Westwood to Woodcliff Lake. She chaired the Catering Committee of the Temple Board for many years. Ed, in conjunction with Elliot Blumenthal then chair of the Finance Committee, developed the financial projections package for the purchase of our present congregational home, presented it to the congregation for approval and successfully negotiated financing for the purchase. He was President of the congregation in 1986, the year Rabbi Ungar celebrated his 25th Anniversary as our spiritual leader.
Together in 1983, Enid and Ed arranged to secure the Holocaust scroll on our Bema from the Westminster Synagogue in London. In 1994, they were honored by the Jewish Theological Seminary. In 2005, they conceived the notion of a stained glass window project for our sanctuary and saw it through the completion, the project having raised $1.25 million for the synagogue. In 1997, they were honored by Israel Bonds, the event having raised in excess of $1.5 million.
Ed has been very active in both the Jewish and secular communities. In 1977, he joined the Board of Jewish Family Services in Bergen County and was its President in 1982. In 1985, he was elected to the Board of Family Service America (FSA), a non-for-profit embodying 400 social service agencies in North America. In 1988, he became chair of FSA. In 1990, he was invited to join the Board of Holy Name Medical Center (HNMC) and became its chair in 1992. He continues to sit on the HNMC Board and is currently chair of its Finance and Human Resources Committee.
Professionally a CPA, Ed was appointed to the NJ Board of Accountancy by Governor Byrne in 1977 and was its President in 1979. He is a retired senior partner of Deloitte, the International Accounting and Consulting Partnership.
Enid and Ed have two children, Bruce and Ellen, B’nai Mitzvahs of our congregation: Bruce and Linda are the proud parents of Aaron and Miranda and live in Houston; Ellen and Joe are the proud parents of two sons, Jason and Adam, both celebrated their becoming B’nai-Mitzvah in our synagogue. Ellen, Joe and the boys reside in Westchester.
Religious School Administrator
Marjorie Shore has served as the Religious School Administrator at Temple Emanuel for over 36 years. She assists the Director of Congregational Education, Rabbi Shelley Kniaz, in planning and implementation of programming for the school and, until recently, for the congregation.
Margie is committed to making Jewish education exciting as well as educational. Bringing technology to the classroom is one of her passions. She has successfully written grant proposals that have brought Smart Boards to Temple Emanuel.
Margie lives in Congers, New York with her husband, Murray. Her daughter, Jennifer, lives in Westchester with her granddaughters, Davie and Lyla. Her son, Michael and daughter-in-law Paula, live in Rockland with her grandsons, Richard, Miles and Leo.
Jewish values and community played an important role in both Renee and Brian’s upbringing and they wanted to raise their children with those same values and experiences. They found the perfect place to do so 8 years ago when they moved into Woodcliff Lake. They quickly became involved with the Jewish community at TEPV.
Renee has been serving as the Religious School Board of Education co-chair and a Board of Trustees member for the past 2 years. She is currently serving as the Temple’s Early Childhood Program’s Treasurer and is very passionate about the success of the ECP and Religious School programs. Renee has also served on the temple board’s nominating committee. This past year, she co-chaired the ECP and Religious school’s successful Handbag Bingo event.
Brian began his involvement at Temple Emanuel as a participant in the second Leadership Development Group. This experience led to the creation of the Sukkah Social, an event that brought together members from all demographics of our Jewish community, which he co-chaired for 5 years. Brian then went on to serve as the Men’s Club co-president for 4 years. In this capacity, he hosted many successful and well attended events, including annual Purim Carnivals, Guys Night Outs, and Scotch in the Sukkah. Brian has also served on the Temple’s Board of Trustees, youth committee chair and a minyan service leader.
Brian and Renee are the proud parents of ECP and Temple Emanuel Religious School students Eva, Max, and Sam. Raising them with core Jewish values is their ultimate goal and honor.