Randi and Justin joined Temple Israel Center in 2010, shortly after moving to Scarsdale from the Upper West Side. It was a very busy time: Randi and Justin were adjusting to their NYC commutes and life in the suburbs, their son Ian began in the 3s program at TIC’s Nursery School, and they welcomed their second child, Abie (Abram). Earlier that year, Randi lost her mom, Audrey Joy, z”l, and TIC’s minyanim enveloped her, providing great comfort and uplift when she needed it most. Randi and Justin were overwhelmed by the warmth and support the TIC community provided. They soon found that TIC became their chevra, and the centerpiece of their lives from that time forward.

 

Randi first became involved in synagogue life through the Nursery School. She was an active parent volunteer and served as Co-Chair of the school’s Advisory Board. Inspired to return the warm welcome, Randi joined TIC’s Membership Committee, ultimately serving as Co-Chair. She developed the Ambassador Program, which formalized the process for helping new members make connections and find their way within the broader TIC community. Randi served on the Board of Trustees for ten years, including seven years on the Executive Committee. One of her most rewarding experiences was working with a small group of lay leaders and TIC staff to completely revamp the shul’s website, which (thankfully!) launched just before the pandemic in early 2020. Randi has also served on the Budget Committee, Education Council, Nominating Committee, Co-Chaired TIC’s Gala in 2017 and 2019, and served as the Gala EC Liaison for many celebrations.

 

Professionally, Randi is the Director of Communications at Ramah Day Camp in Nyack. Before joining Ramah’s year-round team, she worked on the Omanut (arts & crafts) summer staff while taking a break from corporate life. Randi began her career in strategic communications at a boutique NYC-based IR/PR firm, and later specialized in healthcare as Vice President at Cohn & Wolfe, a global PR agency. Randi received a BA from the University at Albany, SUNY.

 

Torah and basketball are two constants for Justin at TIC. Growing up, Justin read Torah during the High Holidays at his family’s synagogue in New Jersey, and he is grateful to have the opportunity to continue this tradition at TIC. He is honored to have become a regular Shabbat Torah reader and gabbai, and he enjoys attending Rabbi Annie Tucker’s Bible BaBoker class prior to Shabbat morning services (when he wakes up in time). Justin is also a regular at TIC’s Wednesday night basketball game, which is where many of his TIC friendships began. This is the third year he has coached Ian’s TIC basketball team, which includes helping them to a season-ending tournament win in 2020. Justin has also volunteered at many TIC Galas and served as the Music Chair in 2019.

 

Outside of TIC, Justin is a commercial litigation partner and the head of the New York litigation department at Dentons US LLP.  Justin’s pro bono work at Dentons includes leading the firm’s moot court and mock trial mentoring program for disadvantaged high school students. Since 2007, he has served on the Board of Directors of KEEN New York, a non-profit that provides free-of-charge sports and recreational opportunities to special needs children and young adults in NYC. Justin received a BA from Brandeis University and JD from Northwestern University School of Law.

 

Like many TIC members, there are days when Randi and Justin, and their kids, are at the building multiple times in one day, and the TIC security guards jokingly keep a tally. Ian (15) is a freshman at Scarsdale High School, volunteers at TIC as a madrich in Shorashim, and enjoys reading Torah, like his dad. Abie (12) and Aaron (8) are both students at The Leffell School, and Abie has just begun his Bar Mitzvah journey. From Shabbat services to basketball games, committee meetings to youth group events, the Kattan family is in the building… and they couldn’t imagine life any other way.

 

Randi and Justin wish a heartfelt mazel tov to Rikki and Barry Kaplan, whose long-time service to TIC, and to the broader Jewish community, is a true inspiration. The Kattans are honored to be recognized for their contributions to TIC and are grateful to the clergy team, professional staff, and members, for creating the most wonderful environment in which to raise their family.