View Journal | WJC Spring Fest

Welcome from the Rabbi

Dear WJC Family,

Like a painter's many precise brushstrokes, the artists of strategic community planning are required to imagine each person, policy, committee and idea, in its proper place to create the great masterpiece that is a thriving, successful Jewish community. It is no easy task. That is why the WJC family is so grateful to our Strategic Planning Committee and its dedicated chairs Joanna Liebman and Jonathan Berg.

For over a year these dedicated volunteers collected data, interviewed congregants and staff, processed information, appreciated who we are and imagined who we could be. Their report gives us the data points and creative energy to move into the future with joy, care, and authentic Judaism accessible for all.

Thank you to our honorees for pointing us towards our best future and making sure we aren't wandering in the desert. cont' next pg

Welcome from the Rabbi

page 2

I also want to express my thanks to our fabulous Spring Fest committee chairs, Susie Miller and Sherry Thaler. They took the idea of a Gala reimagined for all ages and ran with it. Susie and Sherry brought it to fruition with the assistance of their subcommittee chairs Jennifer Winters, Susan Lewen, Scott Aronow, Bea Goldstein, Hannah Shoffet and many others.

Thank you to all who have assisted to make this a great day for WJC.

An outstanding community like WJC doesn't just happen. Like Van Gough's paintings it is precise and carefully crafted - great artists only make it look easy. Mazal tov to our honorees and chairs for their dedication, drive, and grace that makes this community such a masterpiece.

From a very grateful rabbi,

RJA

Welcome from the WJC President

And now for something completely different....

Our Spring Fest this year is inspired by our recently completed Strategic Plan which encourages us to find reasons for the entire community to celebrate together. What better honorees than the two leaders of our Strategic Planning process itself: Joanna Liebman and Jonathan Berg and their incredible team of volunteers.

The event is a totally new FUNdraising celebration designed to tighten our connections between our community and the culture of Israel, our homeland. With something for every age group, this will be a full three-ring party that we hope can give us new ideas of how to celebrate as a community.

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Larry Thaler

Welcome from the WJC President

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I'd like to express my congratulations to Joanna and Jonathan who engaged in their strategic planning assignment with seriousness and determination, with a goal of looking forward five years to determine where WJC should be. Their effort took more than 18 months and engaged nearly 100 people and resulted in five key tenants and dozens of recommendations that will drive our efforts for years to come.

Both Joanna and Jonathan have made additional impacts as committee chairs, and as trustees. Jonathan also currently serves as an officer. They are well deserving of special recognition.

It is with deep appreciation to our honorees, to our event chairs Susie Miller and Sherry Gench Thaler, our office staff, our clergy and the entire community that I offer my thanks. WJC is the strong vibrant community it is because we have so many active volunteers and lay leaders.

Thanks for everything you do for WJC!

Now, let's go have some fun!

L'hitraot

Larry Thaler

Welcome from Celebration Chairs

What a thrill it has been planning this "reimagined" FUNdraiser!

We're delighted to recognize the dedication and accomplishments of

Joanna Liebman, Jonathan Berg and the Strategic Planning team.

Together, they developed a roadmap for our congregation's future aiming to strengthen connections and foster inclusivity, diversity and belonging within our WJC community.

A huge thank you to the Spring Fest Committee - Jennifer Winters, Susan Lewen, Scott Aronow, Bea Goldstein, Evan Schapiro, Katie Schlientz, Erica Strongin, Hannah Shoffet, and too many others to name. We could not have this event without the outstanding work of the WJC staff. You have all made such a difference in the success of this day.

Thank you all for coming out to celebrate and support WJC!

Susie Miller & Sherry Thaler

WJC 2024 Honorees

Throughout the strategic planning process, we were reminded of the importance of

welcoming and engaging all members and potential members of our community.

Our vision for WJC focuses on inclusivity and engagement, ensuring every member feels a sense of belonging and the opportunity to contribute. We are so gratified that this year's FestivALL honors and celebrates those same ideals.

Thank you to Sherry, Susie, and everyone who made this event a reality.

We recognize how difficult it is to create something from scratch, and

we appreciate your efforts in honoring the Strategic Plan.
Thank you to the wonderful WJC clergy, and staff in the office, facilities, kitchen, and schools for helping to make WJC the special place that it is and bringing this day together.

We also thank the Strategic Planning Committee members: Karen Abravanel, Rebecca Baron, Amy Bennett, Tracey Levy, Ron Mandel, Gail Marcus, Melissa Pianko, Sandi Rosenbaum, Kate Schein, Scott Sholder, Jacques Steinberg, and Jennifer Winters.

You all worked so hard and we hope you're proud of our progress.

Thanks to everyone who participated in community conversations, filled out surveys, or

shared their thoughts with us.

We couldn't have done this without you.

With gratitude, Jo and Jonathan

Honoree Family

Mazel tov to Jonathan and Jo for all your efforts and time

spent on the committee (we know first hand how much!)

We are very happy to be able to celebrate with you

such well-deserved honors.

Jonathan, we are so proud of you and are looking forward

to celebrating many more joyful moments with you

and the WJC community in the future.

Mazel tov on your celebration and we love you 3000!

Virginie, Sam, Noa and Gruff

Honoree Family

Congratulations to Jo (mommy), Jonathan, and all of the committee for this well-deserved honor! We're glad you're being recognized for the significant amount of time, effort and thought you put into this important project and for the impact it will have on the future of WJC.

"If you don't know where you are going, you might wind up someplace else." Yogi Berra

As three people who have benefited greatly from Jo's strategic planning for all of our lives (or at least adult life in one case), we can speak first hand as to how good she is at it. We're sure this project will be at least as successful.

We love you and are very proud of you! We're excited to celebrate this honor with you.

Jared, Nathan & Daphne

Pomegranate Pollinator

Mazel Tov Joanna Liebman and Jonathan Berg.

Thank you for all you do for WJC!

Cindy & Ben Golub

Pomegranate Pollinator

Mazel Tov

Joanna Liebman and Jonathan Berg

Thank you for all you do for WJC!

Barbara & Barry Novick

Olive Tree Tiller

Congratulations to Joanna and Jonathan

on a job well done!

The future for WJC looks bright.

Ellen & Howard Lazarus

Fig Tree Founder

Mazel Tov Joanna Liebman and Jonathan Berg.

Thank you for your efforts with Strategic Planning

and all you do for WJC.

Sherry & Larry Thaler and Family

Fig Tree Founder

One of the great joys of our roles as the clergy of Westchester
Jewish Center, is working with remarkable and committed
volunteers like Joanna and Jonathan and being part of important
and meaningful efforts like that undertaken by the Strategic
Planning Committee.

Thank you for helping us envision a future even better than
our present.

We feel blessed to have this opportunity to express our gratitude
to you all and celebrate this well-deserved honor.

May we go from strength to strength together!

Rabbi Arnowitz, Rabbi Dalton and Cantor Goldberg

Grapevine Grower

Jo, Thank you for all that you do not just for WJC,

but for each and every one of us!

You are the true definition of a community leader

and we are so grateful to always have you in our corner.

We love you! The Abrahms Family

And thank you to Jonathan Berg

and the rest of the Strategic Planning Committee

for all your hard work helping

to make WJC such a strong and special community!

Ali, Aaron, Phoebe, Lulu,& Teddy Abrahms

Grapevine Grower

Mazel Tov to Joanna and Jonathan

on this well deserved honor.

Cynthia Cohen & Glen Applebaum

Grapevine Grower

Mazel Tov Joanna Liebman and Jonathan Berg.

Thank you for all you do for WJC!

Hazzan Ellen & Graham Arad

Grapevine Grower

Todah Rabah to Joanna and Jonathan and the
whole Strategic Planning Committee for your
dedication to the future of WJC. So happy to
celebrate with you and the whole WJC family
and so grateful to all involved in planning
this beautiful event.

Mazal tov!

The Arnowitz Family

Grapevine Grower

Mazel Tov and Thank You to
Joanna Liebman, Jonathan Berg,
and The Strategic Planning Committee

We are so happy to

celebrate your
well-deserved honors!

Mark & Marcie Berger

Grapevine Grower

Mazal Tov to Joanna and Jonathan

Am Yisroel Chai!

Louise & Bobby Cohen

Grapevine Grower

Mazel tov to our honorees!

Joanna: you inspire us, always!

Elise & David Dowell

Grapevine Grower

Mazel Tov Joanna Liebman and Jonathan Berg.

Thank you for all you do for WJC!

Meira & Tom Fleisch

Grapevine Grower

Mazel Tov to the honorees

on your well-deserved honors.

Gail & Frank Julie

Grapevine Grower

Mazel Tov to the honorees

on your well-deserved honors.

Jennifer & Jeffrey Lavine

Grapevine Grower

Mazel Tov Joanna Liebman and Jonathan Berg.

Thank you for all you do for WJC!

Gail & Marty Marcus

Grapevine Grower

Mazel Tov Joanna Liebman and Jonathan Berg

We salute your dedication and commitment to

the WJC Community.

Doreen & Neil Davidowitz

Jacqui & Andre Kaplan

Grapevine Grower

Kol haKavod to Joanna and Jonathan

on a well deserved honor.

Thank you for your thoughtful, dedicated,

and much appreciated work

to take WJC into the future!

Sandi & Dan Rosenbaum

Grapevine Grower

Mazel Tov Westchester Jewish Center

on the Spring Fest celebration.

Michael Potack & Jane Sandbank

Grapevine Grower

Mazel Tov Westchester Jewish Center

on the Spring Fest celebration.

The Shlesinger Family

Grapevine Grower

Mazel Tov to the honorees

on your well-deserved honors.

Suburban Carting Co.

Grapevine Grower

Mazal Tov to Joanna and Jonathan

on this wonderful honor.

Your dedication to our WJC community

and hard work leading the strategic planning committee

are greatly appreciated.

Jennifer & Ian Winters

Grapevine Grower

Mazel tov to Joanna and Jonathan

on this well-deserved honor!

Your leadership during the development

of the strategic plan

and beyond has been invaluable.

Wendy and Yale Zoland

Barley & Wheat Booster

Mazel Tov to the honorees
on your well-deserved honors.

Katie Becker McLoughlin

Mazel Tov to Jonathan Berg
and the Strategic Planning Committee.
We are so proud of all you do for WJC.

Esme, Roger, Juliette & Louis-Alexandre Berg

Barley & Wheat Booster

Mazel tov to Joanna and Jonathan.
Thank you for everything you do.

Gila & Jerry Fortinsky

Mazel Tov Joanna Liebman and Jonathan Berg.
Thank you for all you do for WJC!

The Goldman Family

Barley & Wheat Booster

Mazel Tov Joanna Liebman and Jonathan Berg.
Thank you for all you do for WJC!

Jackie & Sol Israel

Kudos to our dear friend Joanna,
her colleague Jonathan,
and the entire SPC
for their tireless efforts on behalf of the WJC community.

Debbie & Mark Jacoby

Barley & Wheat Booster

Congratulations to Joanna Liebman and Jonathan Berg
and the entire Strategic Planning Committee and to WJC
for inspiring us and providing a sense of belonging.

Paula & David Krenkel

Mazel Tov Joanna Liebman and Jonathan Berg.
Thank you for all you do for WJC!

Tracey & Evan Levy

Barley & Wheat Booster

Darling Joanna, I am so proud of you.
Congratulations for being honored and recognized
by your WJC community. I love you. Mom

Dana Liebman

Mazel Tov to the honorees
on your well-deserved honors.

Jill & Donald Miller

Barley & Wheat Booster

Mazel Tov Joanna Liebman and Jonathan Berg.
And kudos to the entire Strategic Planning Committee
for all your great work! WJC will be all the better for it!

Susan & David Miller

Thank you and congratulations to Joanna, Jonathan
and the entire strategic planning committee
for your service to our beloved WJC community. Yasher koach!

Robin Nichinsky & Seth Schafler

Barley & Wheat Booster

Mazel Tov to Joanna and Jonathan
and the entire Strategic Planning Committee. Thank you
for all of your hard work on behalf of our community.

Rina Beder & Irv Cohen and Pam & Howard Mizrachi

Mazel Tov Joanna Liebman and Jonathan Berg.
Thank you for all you do for WJC!

The Perl Family

Barley & Wheat Booster

Mazal Tov to the deserving honorees.
Thank you so much for all you do for WJC!

Bunny Benenson & Andy Roth

Mazel Tov Westchester Jewish Center
on Spring Fest celebration.

Lauren, Scott, Andi & Dani Sholder

Barley & Wheat Booster

Mazel Tov Joanna Liebman and Jonathan Berg.
Thank you for all you do for WJC!

Sharon & Jeff Silver

Mazel Tov Joanna Liebman and Jonathan Berg.
Thank you for all you do for WJC!

Arlene & Neil Wexler

Barley & Wheat Booster

Mazel Tov to Joanna and Jonathan
and Members of the Strategic Planning Committee

WJC Cemetery Association

Orange Tree Overseer

Mazel Tov Joanna, Jonathan
and the Strategic Planning Committee!
Karen Abravanel & Jonathan, Emmett & Isaac Yaeger

"Karma takes all my friends to the summit ... " :o)
Mazel tov, Joanna!!! So grateful for all that you do for WJC!
The Baron Family

Mazel tov to Joanna
on this impressive and well-deserved honor!
The Brenner and Cetron Families

Orange Tree Overseer

Mazel Tov Westchester Jewish Center
on the Spring Fest celebration.
Cerini & Associates, LLP

Hazak! Hazak! V'Nithazek! to Joanna and Jonathan for all
you do to make WJC the CENTER of our Jewish lives.
Joan & Elliot Forchheimer

Thank you for your wisdom, patience and diligence in
all you do for WJC. Mazal tov on this well-deserved honor!
Cantor Ethan & Rabbi Shoshi Levin Goldberg

Orange Tree Overseer

Jo, We are so fortunate to have you in our lives & community. Jonathan, Thanks for everything that you do for WJC!
Veronica, Robin, Leo, Alina & Liv Högasten-Nazarzadeh

Joanna, we are so grateful for your friendship
and commitment to community.
With love, Your JCC/Momentum Sisters

Mazel Tov to the honorees
on your well-deserved honors.
Amy & David Kriss

Orange Tree Overseer

Mazel Tov Joanna Liebman and Jonathan Berg.
Thank you for all you do for WJC!
Andrea & Howard Leaf

Mazel Tov Joanna Liebman and Jonathan Berg.
Thank you for all you do for WJC!
Dvora Rabino & Herb Leventer

Mazal Tov to the honorees!
Thank you for all you do for WJC!
Susie & David Miller

Orange Tree Overseer

Mazel Tov & Todah Rabah to the honorees.
Your WJC family appreciates your talents.
Marilyn & Bob Reader @ WJC since 1982!

Mazel Tov Westchester Jewish Center
on Spring Fest celebration.
Right Click Solutions LLC

Mazel Tov to the honorees on your well-deserved honors.
Rodriguez Landscaping

Orange Tree Overseer

Mazel Tov Joanna Liebman and Jonathan Berg.
Thank you for all you do for WJC!
Eve & Mark Russ

Congratulations Joanna and Jonathan!
We're proud of you and all your hard work for WJC.
Iris & Lee Scopp

Mazel Tov Joanna Liebman and Jonathan Berg.
Thank you for all you do for WJC!
The Taubenfeld and de Sa Families

Orange Tree Overseer

Mazel Tov to the honorees
on your well-deserved honors.
Jill & Barry Viuker

Name Listing/Milk & Honey Mensch

Susan & Allan Abravanel

The Arditi & Wittick Family

Rachel & Scott Aronow and Family

Ilene & Marshall Bellovin

The DiVito Family

Severine & Michael Greenspan

Joanna and Adam Gross

Anita & Art Kaplan

Susan & Barry Lewen

Jennifer & Philip Lindenbaum

Name Listing/Milk & Honey Mensch

Susie & David Miller and Family

Cheryl & Bill Natbony

The Pasqua-Landry Family

Leslie & Harold Porosoff

Elizabeth Ehrlich & Leon Potok

The Rabina Family

Beth & Eric Rudich

The Schulmann Family

Linda & Neil Schwartzreich

Danielle & Stu Seltzer

Name Listing/Milk & Honey Mensch

Melissa & Don Shokrian

Bonnie Silverman & David Nanus

Ken Goldberg and Erica & Chloe Strongin

Fern & Myron Tannenbaum

The Tretiak Family

Robert Weisz

Lisa & Ritchie Zeitoun

Debbie & Andrew Zelenetz

Judy & Howard Zweig

The Shuk

The Shuk Business Listings

Manuel Arellano Landscaping

Tom Broderick - State Farm Insurance

Carpet Trends Inc., 5 Smith Street, Rye, NY

DeNigris Monuments and Mausoleums

Foley's Hardware - 2088 Boston Post Rd, Larchmont, NY

Harrison Paint Supply - 59 Purdy St. Harrison, NY

Stephen L. Herzberg, D.D.S., P.C., 1255 North Avenue, New Rochelle, NY

Jack's Automotive - 2067 Palmer Ave, Larchmont, NY

Jack's Barbershop - 151 Larchmont Ave, Larchmont, NY

Kael Contracting

The Shuk Business Listings

Lanza Insurance - 18 Halstead Avenue Harrison, NY

Paulo's Contracting - 15 Edward Street West Harrison NY 10604

Salon Teddy

Stanz Cafe

The Scoop Shop - 1074 Wilmont Avenue Scarsdale, NY

Tom Trister Cleaning Systems Co.

Villa Maria Pizza - 6 Chatsworth Ave, Larchmont, NY

Village Square Bagels

William A. Smith & Son Insurance

Jeremy Zucker