ANNUAL JOURNAL DINNER fie MOUNT SINAI JEWISH CENTER Mirasha Moore & Noam Katz Guests of Honor receiving The Herbert Harwitt Community Builder Award The Koenigsberg Family Keter Shem Tov Award Daniel Shlian & Eleorah Sandman Rabbi Yehuda Hilewitz z”l Memorial Award Kayla Blum Community Service Award SUNDAY, JUNE 2ND 2024 כ״ה בְּאִיָיר תשפ״ד
Mount Sinai Jewish Center Annual Journal Dinner 2024 Rabbi Yaakov Taubes, Rabbi Racheli Taubes, Yoetzet Halacha Rabbi Yoni Rabinovitch, Rabbinic Intern Mirasha Moore, Executive Director ST Feldman, Associate Director Nike Prroj, Building Manager BOARD OF TRUSTEES Officers Gilad Kopelman President Shani San Solo Vice President Michael Altaras Recording Secretary Shira Garber Financial Secretary Ari Rieser Treasurer Trustees Atara Blicker Evan Finkelstein Shaya First Becca Gelberman Davida Kollmar Batsheva Loeb Arel Levkovich Sarah Ratner Michael Rudin Sarah Schnoll Rivka Press Schwartz Daniel Shlian Gila Stadler SHUL STAFF
Mirasha Moore & Noam Katz Guests of Honor receiving the Herbert Harwitt Community Builder Award Rabbi Akiva and Chaya Sima Koenigsberg & Family Keter Shem Tov Award Honorees
Honorees Eleorah Sandman & Daniel Shlian Rabbi Yehuda Hilewitz z”l Memorial Award Kayla Blum Community Service Award
The central theme of last week's Parasha, Bechukotai, is the Tochacha, or the Admonition/Rebuke. Most of the focus from classical commentators is directed towards the curses threatened by God if the Torah is neglected, with less attention paid to the Blessings promised to the Bnei Yisrael for their adherence to the Torah. This discrepancy partly stems from the brevity of the blessings section compared to the curses. This in turn is connected to the fact that the highest level of blessing is peace, an absence of conflict or strife, something that requires far fewer words to describe. Yet, even in their brevity, the Blessings offer profound insights into the Torah's perspective on prosperity and well-being. LETTER FROM Rabbi Yaakov & Racheli Taubes
Among the blessings listed is that the threshing will be so abundant, it will last until the harvest and the harvest will last until it is time to plant (Lev. 26:5). Rabbi Naftali Zvi Yehuda Berlin, known as the Netziv, explains that this blessing signifies productivity and purposeful activity. While one might assume that the ultimate blessing is leisure, the Torah considers idleness detrimental, promoting instead the virtue of industriousness. Over the past year, Mount Sinai Jewish Center has embodied this blessing by being busy, offering minyanim, shiurim and programming catering to families, children, singles, and more. Tonight, we celebrate those who tirelessly uphold the vibrancy of our Shul through Tefillah, Talmud Torah, and community engagement. Mirasha Moore epitomizes the spirit of dedication and activism within our community. Having joined Mount Sinai concurrently with us, Mirasha has proven to be an invaluable collaborator and colleague. As Executive Director, she surpasses her official duties, demonstrating innovation in event organization and a gift for inspiring our community. Alongside her husband Noam, her warmth and inclusivity foster a sense of belonging for all, reflecting her genuine care for every member, from the youngest to the eldest. Notably, her weekly visits to the late Mr. Herbert Harwitt exemplify her unwavering commitment to preserving the legacy of Mount Sinai. Tonight, we honor Mirasha and Noam with an award named in Mr. Harwitt's memory, recognizing their exemplary service. The Koenigsberg family's contributions to our
congregation warrant an entire chapter. They are the archetype Mount Sinai Jewish Center family, involved in every aspect of the shul. Rabbi Akiva Koenigsberg regularly serves as the Baal Koreh at the hashkama minyan, while Dr. Chaya Sima Koenigsberg's insightful teachings enrich our communal life immeasurably. Their children, Zalman Yosef, Dovid Chaim, Zvi, Leah, Binah, and Moshe deserve recognition as well. Reflecting the values nurtured at home, they actively participate in the shul’s activities, embodying the essence of communal responsibility. Through their exemplary character and involvement, the Koenigsbergs elevate the reputation of Mount Sinai Jewish Center and are thus very deserving of the Keter Shem Tov Award. Daniel Shlian and Eleorah Sandman have become integral members of Mount Sinai, particularly following their relocation closer to the shul. Their consistent attendance at davening and events, coupled with their hospitality and volunteerism, epitomize the essence of community spirit. Danny's contributions as a chazzan and baal koreh and Eleorah's efforts within the Family Life Committee reflect their dedication to fostering a vibrant shul environment. They greet everyone with a smile - both in shul and out- and they extend their hospitality by frequently opening their home to other members of the community. Their cheerful demeanor and devotion to sustaining the Mount Sinai community are qualities befitting the legacy left by Rabbi Yehuda Hilewitz of blessed memory and they are therefore worthy recipients of the award in his memory.
Kayla Blum is the quintessential shul volunteer, the kind of person that would require eight different people to replace her! As a board member for several years, she has been instrumental in the proper functioning of our shul. She works tirelessly behind the scenes, ensuring the weekly organization of kiddush and seudah shlishit, and remains a reliable member of the eruv committee. Pulling off regular blood drives is no easy feat and through Kayla’s efforts, it has become a regular occurrence, an almost expected occurrence in the shul. Her kind nature provides a welcoming presence whenever she is in the room, making her a fitting recipient of the Community Service Award. Congratulations to all our esteemed honorees this year! Rabbi Yaakov & Racheli Taubes
LETTER FROM Mirasha Moore & Noam Katz Guests of Honor receiving the Herbert Harwitt Community Builder Award Dear MSJC Community, We are extremely honored and humbled to be the Guests of Honor and to accept this year’s Herbert Harwitt Community Builder Award. To begin, we would like to acknowledge and appreciate the other well-deserved honorees: The entire Koenigberg Family, Eleorah Sandman & Daniel Shlian, and Kayla Blum. We extend our heartfelt thanks to Rabbi & Racheli Taubes for their leadership and guidance, as well as Nike & Arta
Prroj and their family for their tremendous dedication to maintaining the building, not only on weekends, but also for the daycare and summer camp which run during the week and summer months. Mount Sinai as a whole would not be where it is without all of your contributions, so thank you for sharing your valuable time with us. The MSJC congregation and community have had a significant impact on our lives. Having both relocated from the exhilarating UWS, we were quickly accepted and seamlessly integrated into the WaHi Jewish community. Mirasha gradually immersed herself into MSJC, where she discovered an environment that already nurtured a profound sense of belonging for all individuals, regardless of background. Noam found himself a new chevra (friends) through shul programming and minyanim, and developed a newfound love for “The Heights.” Abey consistently attended shul events, forged new friendships, and nurtured these relationships as he got older. We believe the MSJC community played a pivotal role in fostering his growth and love for Yiddishkeit. Jackie, the sole member of our family born and bred in WaHi (and at Mt. Sinai), will undoubtedly benefit from the positive qualities inherent in this community. In the footsteps of Mr. Herbert Harwitt a”h, we are honored to continue his legacy as community builders, striving to further strengthen the vibrant community he worked tirelessly to maintain. To highlight one of many examples: Years ago, when most MSJC
members were older immigrants, membership was declining. Mr. Harwitt generously allowed a group of young professionals, at no cost to them, to utilize the downstairs of the shul for a minyan. The minyan, originally an apartment minyan bursting at the seams, had been turned away by other shuls in the community. However, Mr. Harwitt opened the doors of MSJC to them, fostering community growth and marking the beginning of MSJC’s transformation into a shul for members of all ages. This exemplifies just one of many instances of community-building initiatives led by Mr. Harwitt. This is what it means to build community. The pivotal actions taken by Mr. Harwitt at that time allowed us to become the community builders we are today. During our time here, we have been engaged in activities that align with Mr. Harwitt’s vision for people in our position: endless volunteering, making many small yet meaningful differences, befriending and hosting community members of all ages and backgrounds, and developing programming for children and young adults. Throughout, we have felt unwavering support from the community. With this support, Mirasha founded and opened a thriving daycare and a vibrant summer camp, and the community continued its incredible programming, all run by volunteers. We must express our gratitude to the board and officers for their support in championing the large-scale daycare and summer camp initiatives, taking a risk on Mirasha to establish these endeavors from start to finish. Thanks to your backing, these programs are operating at full capacity, contributing significantly to the vitality and sustainability of the shul.
We’d like to end with a word from everyone’s biggest supporter, Hakadosh Baruch Hu (Hashem). With Shavuot right around the corner, as we gather around Har Sinai aka Mt. Sinai (Jewish Center), we all stand here supporting the shul K’eesh Echad B’Lev Echad– like one person with one heart. Together, we are all community builders. Together, we have all made a difference. Mirasha Moore & Noam Katz
LETTER FROM Rabbi Akiva and Chaya Sima Koenigsberg & Family Keter Shem Tov Award ָלָ ֵכֵ ן ֱֱאֹמר ֹּכּה־ָאַמ ַר ֲ ֲאֹדָֹנָ י ה ּ ‘ ִּכי ִהְ ִ ְר ַַחְְק ִּּת ְ ים ַּבּ ּגֹוִים ְו ֲ ִכִ י ֲהִפִ יצֹוִתִ ים ָּבּ ֲֲאָר ָ צֹות ָָוֱֱאִה ִ י ָלָ ֶהֶם ְְלִמְ ִ ְקָּד ּׁש ְְמַַעט ָּבּ ֲֲאָר ָ צֹות ֲ ֲא ֶׁׁשר־ָּבּא ׁ ּו ָׁשם: (יחזקאל יא:טז) Therefore say, Thus says the L-rd G-d; Although I have cast them far off among the nations, and although I have scattered them among the countries, and I have been to them a little sanctuary in the lands where they have come. ״ָָוֱֱאִה ִ י ָלָ ֶהֶם ְְלִמ ְ ִ ְק ְ ָּדּ ׁש ְמַעַ ט״, ָאַמ ַר ַרִַּבּ י ִי ְְצ ָָחק: ּ ֵאֵ ּלּו ָּבּ ֵּת ְ י ְכֵנֵ ִסִ ּיֹות ָּוָב ֵּּתי ִמְ ִ ְדָָרׁשֹות ֶׁׁש ְּבָּבֶל ָ ֶבֶל.“ )מגילה כט Chazal teaches, based on the prophet Yechezkel, that the shuls and study halls of the exile have the status of minor temples. The notion that Hashem’s presence is present in shuls just as it was in the Mikdash influenced both the architecture and customs of the synagogue in medieval Ashkenaz and influences our customs to this day. For example, the Aron Kodesh was built higher than the sanctuary floor, with stairs leading up to it, paralleling the division in the Temple between the outer courtyard and the Heichal. Just as a curtain formed a partition between the Kodesh (
and inner Kodesh ha-Kodashim, which contained the Aron that housed the Luchot, the synagogue’s Aron Kodesh houses the Sifrei Torah with a curtain in front of its opening. The shul was also adorned with a Ner Tamid, paralleling the fire that constantly burned in the Temple. Additionally, the stairs leading to the Aron were flanked with menorot on either side and the Torah was placed and read on what is called the Shulchan, both invoking the Temple’s vessels. Like the Mikdash itself, the Shul is a place where one encounters the Shechinah. Medieval Ashkenazic Jews maintained that just as Hashem’s ‘voice’ came forth from between the Keruvim above the Aron of the Mikdash, Hashem’s presence rested above their Aron Kodesh and between the Atzei Chaim of the Sefer Torah when it was removed from the Aron. Some suggest this is the basis for the custom to bow towards the Shechinah’s presence hovering over the Torah, as we still do, when it is taken from the Aron and when reciting the birkat ha-Torah during an Aliyah. Likewise, when the Kohanim ascended the stairs to bless the congregation as they did on the Duchan in the Temple, the congregation would avert their eyes, because they maintained that the Shechinah was present, as it was in the Temple during their blessing, and manifesting between the fingers of the Kohanim, which Ashkenazic Jews spread in a W formation to fulfill the midrashic idea that Hashem watches His beloved nation and “peaks through the lattices.” All of these elements are present in some form in the Mount Sinai sanctuary. The image of Birkat Kohanim
and its spread fingers is the emblem of our shul, which is raised aloft over the Aron symbolizing Hashem’s presence and supervision over us. As a family of Kohanim on both sides, the resonance between shul and the Beit Hamikdash is so meaningful to us and to contribute to the shul is to be part of the avodah of our minor Temple. The shul, the centerpiece of our avodah, is fittingly named Mount Sinai. Mount Sinai was the first conduit through which Hashem communicated with us as a nation and revealed the Torah to us. The Ramban describes the Mishkan, as a portable Mount Sinai, in that it enables the Sinai experience to be transported wherever the Israelites traveled as a focal point of Hashem’s presence and through which Hashem communicated with us. So too, our Mount Sinai is a focal point of learning and communicating with Hashem during our sojourn here in Washington Heights. After all, when we moved to Washington Heights in July of 2005, we viewed it as temporary. Within walking distance to the study halls and library of Yeshiva University, it was ideal for a young couple still studying. We chose the Bennett side because we were advised that it was more family oriented (at the time) and nearly 20 years later (!) we are still in our temporary home and we and our children have benefited greatly from being part of the warm and unique community here in Washington Heights. We have encountered wonderful friends and role models here in the community. The shul has given our children opportunities to take active roles and responsibilities. Rabbi Shnaidman was our neighbor and frequent
Shabbos guest, and our older children had a close relationship with him. Our children’s shul participation grew under the shul leadership of Rabbi Schwartz and now, coming full circle, our children are frequent Shabbos guests at the home of Rabbi and Rebbitzen Taubes, who have a huge positive influence on them. The Hashkamah minyan on Shabbat morning, under the leadership of Ari Rieser, is a highlight each week for our family. And the various programs arranged by Mirasha Moore are greatly appreciated. Special thanks to Nike Prroj for all the work that you do for the shul. We are honored to receive the Keter Shem Tov award and we wish mazal tov to our fellow honorees, Mirasha and Noam, Daniel and Eleorah, and Kayla. You truly deserve to be recognized and honored for all that you do to support and strengthen our shul. Akiva and Chaya Sima & Family
LETTER FROM Eleorah Sandman & Daniel Shlian Rabbi Yehuda Hilewitz z”l Memorial Award וכל העמלים עם הציבור, יהיו עמלים עימם לשם שמיים, שזכות אבותן מסייעתן, וצדקתם עומדת לעד. ואתם, מעלה אני עליכם כאילו עשיתם And all those who work with the community, should work for the sake of Heaven, for the merit of their forebears aids them, and their (forebears’) righteousness stands forever. And as for you–I (God) consider it as though you have done (their work). Avot 2:2
We feel deeply gratified and humbled to have the merit to participate in Mount Sinai, a shul with a rich past intertwined with a vibrant present. When we joined the shul on a permanent basis in 2020, history was by no means top of mind–we were seeking rootedness and connections, a shul where our young family could feel at home. But the solidity and community we found at Mount Sinai, and continue to find years later, is enabled by the community members who have for decades put their hearts and souls into building this kehillah. And inevitably, we find that any contributions we are able to make to the shul are dwarfed by the rewards of belonging to it. A brief summary of the steps that led to our involvement with Mount Sinai: we married in 2017, settled in Washington Heights shortly thereafter, and for several years, hopped from minyan to minyan, with little sense of permanence. We were extraordinarily fortunate to have a wealth of friends from our cohort at Yeshiva University and elsewhere who resided in the neighborhood with us, but most of them fairly soon made their way to greener pastures, demonstrating to us the necessity of actively building communal connections. Around this time, Yoezer was kind enough to join our family, and we were drawn to Mount Sinai, a shul where we knew a number of couples with children, and which we knew had active youth programming. Yoezer went to babysitting downstairs on Yom Kippur 2019 as we experienced a beautiful tefillah upstairs, and in that moment, we thought of Mount Sinai as our eventual destination. It would not be until the next year’s COVID pandemic that we
finally joined the shul, but at every moment since then, we have only wished that we had done so sooner. When people ask us why our growing family has stayed in New York City for as long as we have–after all, we are natives of the nearby suburbs, we have two beautiful growing children, and neither of us currently is pinned to the city by a job–our answer is always, simply, that we love being part of Mount Sinai. We love that we are raising our kids in a community driven by values we embrace wholeheartedly: of living in service of God, of mutual generosity, of modesty in a material sense. We love that sharing Shabbat meals is not just a norm, but a given. And we love that we are in a group that, every single day, consciously chooses to take up the mantle of a century-old community and carry it forward. This particular moment in the shul’s history is an opportune time to reflect on the contributions of previous generations. In the past year, our community has lost Mr. Herbert Harwitt, Dr. Sara Reguer, Mrs. Tehilla Rieser, and Mrs. Karla Spier, each of whom left an indelible mark on the shul. Their absence is felt acutely–if Danny got a compliment from Dr. Reguer after leining, it meant more than a standard “shkoyach.” In particular, we are thinking of Rabbi Yehuda Hilewitz, z”l, in whose memory this award is named, and who served the community faithfully for years, especially in a ritual capacity, leaving behind a legacy of commitment and care. We are so thankful to Mrs. Chani Hilewitz and Dr. Ayelet Hilewitz for recognizing any contributions we have had the
opportunity to make to the shul, following in the trail blazed by Rabbi Hilewitz. We look forward to continuing to contribute to Mount Sinai, and we know that we will be in the company of a community that feels the same way–led by people like Mirasha and Noam, the Koenigsberg family, and Kayla, to whom we extend our heartfelt thanks and congratulations. And our commitment stands on the giant shoulders of our forerunners in the neighborhood, knowing that the shul owes its vitality to them, while our community reaps abundant reward. With deep gratitude, Eleorah Sandman & Daaniel Shlian
LETTER FROM Kayla Blum Community Service Award What do you do when your heart writes checks your wallet can’t cash? Behukkotai, the parasha we recently read, spends much of the second half concerned with how to value various offerings, including animals, fields, the value of a life, and property, with kohanim directed to consider the gender and age of the vower, the Jubilee cycle, and the area of the field. Most offerings have a set way to calculate their value, but one type of these offerings has an interesting exception. In the case of someone who makes a neder of the value of their life to Hashem but their life savings don’t quite measure up, the kohanim are permitted to reassess their standard calculation. “אל פי אשר תשיג יד הנדר יעריכנו הכהן” “According to the means of the one who vowed the Kohen will determine his valuation”– Vayikra 27:8 Rashi notes: לפי מה שיש לו יסדרנו וישאיר לו כדי חייו “He should asses him according to his means and should leave him enough to live on” – Rashi Vayikra 27:8
On one hand, such an expensive offering, to demand all a person has but their bare requirements to live! On the other, this takes the vower’s generous offering – their very life’s worth– and lowers the payment to something they can pay to the Temple, without losing their literal and proverbial shirt. For the time being with no Temple standing, the kohanim’s holy valuations are replaced with the standards of American non-profits. Our synagogues carry a piece of the Temple with them, but the obligations are not nearly the same. Yet still, people still want to contribute. One of the pleasures of Mount Sinai Jewish Center is the many ways people can and do step up to contribute. Things happen here because someone or a group of people had a vision and followed through. You don’t have to be a rich gvir to make your mark. The dedication and hard volunteer work of my fellow community members is just as precious. Some take care of smaller tasks, recognized only in their absence while others chair ambitious building projects. People give their time – a few minutes to make a maariv minyan at one extreme or a years long board commitment at the other end. Tefillah and social events, learning opportunities and kiddushes, events for families and for singles - all these are done with happiness and generosity of spirit. I’m honored to be recognized with this Community Service Award as one of many such volunteers. Thank you to Rabbi Yaakov and Rebbetzin Racheli Taubes, our fearless rabbinic leaders. Thank you to
the shul staff, Mirasha Katz and Nike Prroj, for keeping the shul open and running. Thank you to the Board of Trustees and our many shul volunteers. Thank you to the dinner committee for this honor. Lastly and with much appreciation, thank you to the generations of Heights residents before me, who helped to build and maintain our spiritual home in New York City. Kayla Blum
THE DINNER COMMITTEE We had a great time putting this dinner together and we’re hoping you have a great time attending! Thank you all for coming! Becca Gelberman, ST Feldman, & Mirasha Moore
THANK YOU TO Our Volunteers! Thank you to all of the volunteers who helped us reach our fundraising goal and made this event special! Decor Rachel Greenfield Caroline Morganti Photography Yitzchak Ratner Proofreading Evan Finkelstein Davida Kollmar Tech Support Evan Finkelstein Fundraising Sarah Ratner Shani San Solo Ari Rieser Becca Gelberman Evan Finkelstein Gilad Kopelman Arel Levkovich Michael Altaras Rivka Press Schwartz Davida Kollmar Jane Becker And a special thank you to Sam Konig for sharing his fundraising expertise with the volunteers.
RABBI YAAKOV TAUBES Rabbi Harold Adler Daniel Ambalu Bradley & Talia Avrahami Melissa Bart Shuli Berger & Jai Zion Freda Birnbaum Joshua & Atara Blicker Kayla Blum Yocheved Diskind Joshua Dobkin Joshua Dredze Tanya Farber ST & Aaron Feldman Shaya & Ayelet First Eric Freeman Yitzchak Friedman Shira & Shmuel Garber Shuli & Avram Gutmann Kayla & Joseph Gutmann Carla Hanauer Eric Heine Ellen Hertzmark Chani & Ayelet Hilewitz Suzanne Mazel & Jack Voystock David Kach & Jane Becker Yaacov Kanner Noam Katz & Mirasha Moore Atara Kelman & Noah Notis Davida Kollmar Abraham Lasdun Miriam Leichtman Toby Lieber Tamar & Yonatan Mehlman Brian & Anne Moore Caroline Morganti Leora & Ely Pinto Naftali Polachek & Gila Stadler Yosef Rabinowitz Sarah & Yitzchak Ratner Shuli, Ari, Davidi, & Sophia Rieser Henry Rieser Elan and Judy Rieser & family Alberto Rodriguez David Rosen Sarah & Marty Rubin Shani San Solo Sarah Schnoll Zachary Schrieber Aharon Schrieber Yafit & David Sclar Sara Chana & Yosef Segal Ari Senderowicz Rachel Shafier & Yoni Kornblau Sara Shatz Daniel Shlian & Eleorah Sandman Joshua Skootsky David Stahl Yaakov & Racheli Taubes Lauire Tobias-Cohen Dani & Penina Weiss Frieda Wercberger Morris Whitcup Leora Yasgur
RACHELI TAUBES Yoetzet Halacha Harold Adler Daniel Ambalu Bradley & Talia Avrahami Melissa Bart Shuli Berger & Jai Zion Freda Birnbaum Joshua & Atara Blicker Kayla Blum Yocheved & Yitzi Diskind Joshua Dobkin Joshua Dredze Tanya Farber ST & Aaron Feldman Shaya First Eric Freeman Yitzchak Friedman Shira & Shmuel Garber Shuli & Avram Gutmann Kayla & Joseph Gutmann Carla Hanauer Eric Heine Ellen Hertzmark Chani & Ayelet Hilewitz Avrohom & Miriam Hoffman David Kach & Jane Becker Yaacov Kanner Noam Katz & Mirasha Moore Atara Kelman & Noah Notis Davida Kollmar Chana & Eliyahu Krakowski Miriam Leichtman Toby Lieber Suzanne Mazel & Jack Voystock Tamar & Yonatan Mehlman Brian& Anne Moore Caroline Morganti Leora & Ely Pinto Naftali Polachek & Gila Stadler Yosef Rabinowitz Sarah & Yitzchak Ratner Shuli, Ari, Davidi, & Sophia Rieser Henry Rieser Elan and Judy Rieser & family Alberto Rodriguez Sarah & Marty Rubin Shani San Solo Sarah Schnoll Zachary Schrieber Aharon Schrieber Yafit & David Sclar Sara Chana & Yosef Segal Ari Senderowicz Rachel Shafier & Yoni Kornblau Sara Shatz Daniel Shlian & Eleorah Sandman Joshua Skootsky David Stahl Yaakov & Racheli Taubes Lauire Tobias-Cohen & Yosef Cohen Dani & Penina Weiss Frieda Wercberger Morris Whitcup Leora Yasgur
RABBI YONI RABINOVITCH Rabbinic Intern Harold Adler Melissa Bart Shuli Berger & Jai Zion Freda Birnbaum Joshua & Atara Blicker Joshua Dobkin Joshua Dredze ST & Aaron Feldman Shaya First Eric Freeman Yitzchak Friedman Shira & Shmuel Garber Kayla & Joseph Gutmann Carla Hanauer Eric Heine Ellen Hertzmark Chani & Ayelet Hilewitz Avrohom & Miriam Hoffman David Kach & Jane Becker Yaacov Kanner Noam Katz & Mirasha Moore Atara Kelman & Noah Notis Davida Kollmar Miriam Leichtman Toby Lieber Leora & Ely Pinto Naftali Polachek & Gila Stadler Sarah & Yitzchak Ratner Shuli, Ari, Davidi, & Sophia Rieser Henry Rieser Elan & Judy Rieser and family Alberto Rodriguez David Rosen Sarah & Marty Rubin Shani San Solo Sarah Schnoll Zachary Schrieber Aharon Schrieber Sara Chana & Yosef Segal Ari Senderowicz Rachel Shafier & Yoni Kornblau Sara Shatz Daniel Shlian & Eleorah Sandman Joshua Skootsky David Stahl Yaakov & Racheli Taubes Morris Whitcup Leora Yasgur
MIRASHA MOORE & ST FELDMAN The Office Harold Adler Daniel Ambalu Bradley & Talia Avrahami Melissa Bart Shuli Berger & Jai Zion Freda Birnbaum Joshua & Atara Blicker Yocheved Diskind Joshua Dobkin Joshua Dredze Tanya Farber ST & Aaron Feldman Evan Finkelstein Shaya & Ayelet First Eric Freeman Yitzchak Friedman Shira & Shmuel Garber Rachel & Yehuda Greenfield Joseph & Ksyla Gutmann Carla Hanauer Eric Heine Miki & Jon Herskowitz Ellen Hertzmark Chani & Ayelet Hilewitz Oren Hiller Avrohom & Miriam Hoffman David Kach & Jane Becker Yaacov Kanner Noam Katz & Mirasha Moore Atara Kelman & Noah Notis Yamit & Alon Kol Davida Kollmar Abraham Lasdun Miriam Leichtman Toby Lieber Ben Lieblich Tamar & Yonatan Mehlman Brian & Anne Moore Caroline Morganti Leora & Ely Pinto Naftali Polachek & Gila Stadler Yosef Rabinowitz Sarah & Yitzchak Ratner Shuli, Ari, Davidi, & Sophia Rieser Henry Rieser Elan and Judy Rieser and family Alberto Rodriguez Sarah & Marty Rubin Sarah Schnoll Zachary Schrieber Aharon Schrieber Yafit & David Sclar Sara Chana & Yosef Segal Ari Senderowicz Rachel Shafier & Yoni Kornblau Sara Shatz Daniel Shlian & Eleorah Sandman Joshua Skootsky David Stahl Yaakov Taubes & Racheli Taubes Lauire Tobias-Cohen & Yosef Cohen Daniel & Penina Weiss Morris Whitcup Phil Keisman & Sarah Wolf Leora Yasgur
NIKE PRROJ Building Manager Harold Adler Daniel Ambalu Shuli Berger & Jai Zion Freda Birnbaum Joshua & Atara Blicker Kayla Blum Yocheved Diskind Joshua Dobkin Joshua Dredze Tanya Farber ST & Aaron Feldman Evan Finkelstein Shaya & Ayelet First Eric Freeman Yitzchak Friedman Hannah Golden Melinda &Philip Gottesman Rachel &Yehuda Greenfield Avram & Shuli Gutmann Carla Hanauer Eric Heine Ellen Hertzmark Oren Hiller Avrohom & Miriam Hoffman Yehudis Isenberg Suzanne Mazel Jack Voystock David Kach & Jane Becker Shoshana Kaish Yaacov Kanner Chana & Eliyahu Krakowski Noam Katz & Mirasha Moore Atara Kelman & Noah Notis Yamit & Alon Kol Davida Kollmar Avi Lasdun Miriam Leichtman Toby Lieber Brian & Anne Moore Caroline Morganti Leora & Ely Pinto Naftali Polachek & Gila Stadler Yosef Rabinowitz Sarah & Yitzchak Ratner Shuli, Ari, Davidi, & Sophia Rieser Henry Rieser Elan & Judy Rieser & Family Alberto Rodriguez Sarah & Marty Rubin Shani San Solo Sarah Schnoll Zachary Schrieber Aharon Schrieber Yafit & David Sclar Sara Chana & Yosef Segal Ari Senderowicz Rachel Shafier & Yoni Kornblau Sara Shatz Daniel Shlian & Eleorah Sandman Joshua Skootsky David Stahl Brenda & Matthew Stiefel Sherman Yaakov Taubes & Racheli Taubes Lauire Tobias-Cohen Dani & Penina Weiss Morris Whitcup Leora Yasgur
THE OFFICERS Gilad Kopelman, Shani San Solo, Michael Altaras, Shira Bindiger, and Ari Rieser Harold Adler Shuli Berger & Jai Zion Freda Birnbaum Joshua & Atara Blicker Joshua Dredze Joshua Dobkin ST & Aaron Feldman Shaya First Eric Freeman Yitzchak Friedman Carla Hanauer Eric Heine Ellen Hertzmark Avrohom & Miriam Hoffman David Kach & Jane Becker Yaacov Kanner Noam Katz & Mirasha Moore Atara Kelman & Noah Notis Davida Kollmar Michal & Avi Kopelman Miriam Leichtman Toby Lieber Leora & Ely Pinto Naftali Polachek & Gila Stadler Sarah & Yitzchak Ratner Shuli, Ari, Davidi, & Sophia Rieser Henry Rieser Elan and Judy Rieser & family Alberto Rodriguez Sarah & Marty Rubin Sarah Schnoll Zachary Schrieber Aharon Schrieber Sara Chana & Yosef Segal Ari Senderowicz Rachel Shafier & Yoni Kornblau Sara Shatz Daniel Shlian & Eleorah Sandman Joshua Skootsky David Stahl Yaakov Taubes & Racheli Taubes Morris Whitcup Leora Yasgur Yamit and Alon Kol Evan Finkelstein Shoshana Kaish Abraham Lasdun Saadiah McIntosh
THE GABBAIM Davida Kollmar (co-chair) Gilad Kopelman (co-chair) Josh Blicker, Yitzi Diskind, Josh Dredze, Shaya First, Yitzchak Friedman, Yosef Rabinowitz, Ari Rieser, Eleorah Sandman, Sarah Schnoll, Dovid Simpser, and Sam Weiss Harold Adler Shuli Berger & Jai Zion Freda Birnbaum Joshua & Atara Blicker Joshua Dobkin Joshua Dredze ST & Aaron Feldman Evan Finkelstein Shaya First Eric Freeman Yitzchak Friedman Carla Hanauer Eric Heine Ellen Hertzmark Avrohom & Miriam Hoffman David Kach & Jane Becker Yaacov Kanner Noam Katz & Mirasha Moore Atara Kelman & Noah Notis Yamit & Alon Kol Davida Kollmar Miriam Leichtman Toby Lieber Leora & Ely Pinto Naftali Polachek & Gila Stadler Sarah & Yitzchak Ratner Shuli, Ari, Davidi, & Sophia Rieser Henry Rieser Elan and Judy Rieser & family Alberto Rodriguez Sarah & Marty Rubin Sarah Schnoll Zachary Schrieber Aharon Schrieber Sara Chana & Yosef Segal Ari Senderowicz Rachel Shafier & Yoni Kornblau Sara Shatz Daniel Shlian & Eleorah Sandman Joshua Skootsky David Stahl Yaakov Taubes & Racheli Taubes Morris Whitcup Leora Yasgur
COMMITTEE CHAIRS Sarah Schnoll (Building), David Stahl (Chessed), Shaya First & Sarah Rubin (Education), Freda Birnbaum (Eruv), Elisheva Kopelman & ST Feldman (Events), Yocheved Diskind & Shoshana Polakoff (Family Life), Shira Bindiger (Finance), Davida Kollmar & Gilad Kopelman (Gabbai), Josh Dobkin (Kiddush), Michael Rudin, Michael Altaras & Batsheva Loeb (Membership), Sam Benson & Ari Rieser (Security), Ari Rieser (Shiva Minyan), and Daniel Shlian & Evan Finkelstein (Welcoming) Harold Adler Shuli Berger & Jai Zion Freda Birnbaum Joshua & Atara Blicker Joshua Dobkin Joshua Dredze ST & Aaron Feldman Evan Finkelstein Shaya First Eric Freeman Yitzchak Friedman Carla Hanauer Eric Heine Ellen Hertzmark Avrohom & Miriam Hoffman David Kach & Jane Becker Yaacov Kanner Noam Katz & Mirasha Moore Atara Kelman & Noah Notis Yamit & Alon Kol Davida Kollmar Miriam Leichtman Toby Lieber Saadiah McIntosh Leora & Ely Pinto Naftali Polachek & Gila Stadler Sarah & Yitzchak Ratner Shuli, Ari, Davidi, & Sophia Rieser Henry Rieser Elan and Judy Rieser & family Alberto Rodriguez Sarah & Marty Rubin Sarah Schnoll Zachary Schrieber Aharon Schrieber Sara Chana & Yosef Segal Ari Senderowicz Rachel Shafier & Yoni Kornblau Sara Shatz Daniel Shlian & Eleorah Sandman Joshua Skootsky David Stahl Rabbi Yaakov & Racheli Taubes Morris Whitcup Leora Yasgur
IN MEMORY MEMBERS of our Mr. Herbert Harwitt a"h Dr. Sara Reguer a"h Mrs. Tehilla Rieser a"h Mrs. Karla Spier a"h
Harold Adler Daniel Ambalu Melissa Bart Shuli Berger & Jai Zion Freda Birnbaum Kayla Blum Eric Cohen Lottie Dessau Joshua Dobkin Richard Elem Tanya Farber St & Aaron Feldman Shaya & Ayelet First Fodde-Reuger Family Eric Freeman Shira & Shmuel Garber Hannah Golden Sarah Gordon & Nafi Schwarzenberger Melinda & Philip Gottesman Carla Hanauer Eric Heine Gilit Herman Ayelet Hilewitz Oren Hiller Avrohom & Miriam Hoffman Yehudis Isenberg David Kach & Jane Becker Shoshana Kaish Noam Katz & Mirasha Moore Yamit & Alon Kol Davida Kollmar Gilad & Elisheva Kopelman Theodore Lehmann & Ana Rottersman Miriam Leichtman Stephanie Lennig Caroline Morganti Ely & Leora Pinto Naftali Polachek & Gila Stadler Riva Preil Yosef Rabinowitz Sarah & Yitzchak Ratner Shuli, Ari, Davidi, & Sophia Rieser Henry Rieser Elan and Judy Rieser & family Mark & Sura Rozenberg Sarah & Marty Rubin Shani San Solo Sarah Schnoll Aharon Schrieber Zachary Schrieber Barbara & Phil Schuh Yafit & David Sclar Ari Senderowicz Sara Shatz Daniel Shlian & Eleorah Sandman Joshua Skootsky Jeremy & Aviva Stern Yaakov & Racheli Taubes Lauire Tobias-Cohen & Yosef Cohen Morris Whitcup Remembered By:
MR. HERBERT HARWITT A”H 8.24.1925 — 12.23.2023 צבי בן שמואל גבריאל ע“ל
DR. SARA REGUER A”H 1.9.1942 — 7.16.2023 שרה בת הרב משה אהרן ע“ל
MRS. TEHILLA RIESER A”H 10.1.1948 — 3.29.2024 תהילה יוכבד בת יהודה ואיטע מינע ע“ל
MRS. KARLA SPIER A”H 1.20.1932 — 12.3.2023 קיילא בת משה ע“ל
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PATRON PAGE Mazal tov to all the wonderful honorees! To Mirasha and Noam - your literally round-theclock work to keep the shul ticking astounds and inspires us. To the Koenigsbergs - the hashkama minyan and early mincha are testaments to your family’s remarkable dedication. To Kayla - we so value your friendship, and your drive to get things done is the lifeblood of the shul. To the entire Mount Sinai community - thank you for your commitment to Torah and the Jewish people, and for your warm camaraderie. Eleorah Sandman, Daniel Shlian, Yoezer, and Ne'emana
PATRON PAGE Wishing a heartfelt Mazel Tov to our friends being honored: Mirasha Moore & Noam Katz, dear friends who keep our community running, and our children well cared for. Daniel Shlian & Eleorah Sandman, who are always quietly stepping up, whether to lein or to sit through interminable board meetings. Rabbi Akiva & Chaya Sima Koenigsberg and Family, our kohanim leining committee, teaching Torah, hanging with people of all ages (YZ), and embodying the midos tovos of Washington Heights. Kayla Blum, always there to take care of those around her, whether at kiddush or blood drives. With gratitude: Naftali Polachek, Gila Stadler, Aharon, Eitan, and Elan In memory of Dr. Sara Reguer, a force of nature who called things as she saw them, brought her own true style to everything she did, and a true friend. We deeply miss her.
DIAMOND PAGE Congratulations Mirasha and Noam on this honor! Thank you for all that you have done to build and sustain our wonderful community! Zachary Schrieber
PLAT INUM PAGE To Mirasha and Noam WE ARE SO PROUD OF YOU! You have followed in the derech of your parents and grandparents by dedicating yourselves to the betterment and growth of the tzibur. Through your daily commitment to the Mt. Sinai community you demonstrate your active embrace of the inheritance which we received at Sinai. ּתֹוָ֥רָ֥֥רה ִִצָּוּה־ָ֖לָ֖֖לנּו ֹמֶׁ֑שֶׁ֑֑שה מֹוָר ָָׁ֖ש ֖ ה ְ ְקִה ֥ ִ ַּ֥לת ֲַיֲַעֹֽֽקב Mirasha, your dedication, hard work, long hours, leadership and creativity are foundations of Mt. Sinai’s success. You are the true GOAT! With abundant love and respect, Mom and Dad Ari and Shari, Tova and Ithamar, Eitan and Ayelet, Akiva and Samantha Amiel, Keira, Kobe, Liat, Eyal, Olivia, Meital, Jonathan, Joseph, Raquel and Zachary
PLAT INUM PAGE The Hashkama Minyan wishes Mazal Tov and congratulations to this year’s Honorees Mirasha Moore & Noam Katz Daniel Shlian & Eleorah Sandman Rabbi Akiva & Chaya Sima Koenigsberg & Family Kayla Blum For your selfless dedication to our shul and community. We thank Rabbi Yaakov and Rebbetzin Racheli Taubes for your guidance and leadership of MSJC. Much appreciation to Rabbi Yoni Rabinovitch for your highly engaging and informative post-Hashkama shiurim. And thanks to Nike Prroj for all your help making sure we have everything we need each and every Shabbat! Joseph Ainbinder Sarah Malka & Michael Altaras Jacob Benesch Sandy & Sam Benson Kayla Blum Laura Levin-Dando Yocheved, Yitzi, Tikki, and Tehilla Diskind Joshua Dobkin Yitzi Dyckman, Y&Y Catering Daphna Ezrachi & Yitz Landes ST & Aaron Feldman Shloimy Gordimer The Gottesman Family Avram & Shuli Gutmann Joseph & Kayla Gutmann Julian Hamburger Eric Heine Ellen Hertzmark Dr. Ayelet Hilewitz Chani Hilewitz Yaacov Kanner The Koenigsberg Family Toby Lieber Noah Notis & Atara Kelman Leora & Ely Pinto The Polachek Family Dovid and Elanit Rapps Atir Rieser Henry Rieser Shuli, Ari, Davidi, and Sophia Rieser Trey & Tamar Rogers The Rozenberg Family Eleorah Sandman & Daniel Shlian Shani San Solo Sarah Schnoll Sara Shatz Joshua Skootsky Rivky Stern & Aaron Glance Sam Weiss Dovid Zinstein & Eli Greenblatt Anonymous
GOLD PAGE to Mirasha and all the other Honorees Betty Ehrenberg מזל טוב!
GOLD PAGE In memory of my wife Dr. Sara Reguer ז“ל 1943-2023 5703-5783 Raphael Fodde’ פיה ּפתחה בחכמה ותורת חסד )משלי לא)
GOLD PAGE מזל טוב! and thank you to the Honorees. The Fodde-Reguer Family
GOLD PAGE Mirasha & Noam, Congrats on being honored. Well earned and well deserved! Eric Heine
GOLD PAGE In honor of Mirasha Moore and Noam Katz Daniel Shlian and Eleorah Sandman Kayla Blum Rabbi Akiva and Chaya Sima Koenigsberg and family We appreciate all you do for the shul and hope you will have many more years to contribute to the Jewish people. Ellen Hertzmark