Temple Israel Reform Congregation of Staten Island honors volunteers

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Temple Israel Reform Congregation of Staten Island honored Jamie Blackman, Tracy Schulman, Irene Pappert and Jerrold Gross for their "selfless dedication" to the community at the congregation's annual Gala Celebration.

About 120 people attended the event to laud the temple's volunteer core on June 23 at the Grand Plaza in Great Kills.

"All four of this year's honorees have shown their commitment to our community in ways both large and small, from serving in temple leadership, to tireless efforts on behalf of our various committees, to making our services a more uplifting and harmonious experience, to filling in for months when we needed office assistance, to decades long service to cause of making Staten Island the best of New York City's five boroughs and providing wonderful role models of dedicated service to Judaism in general and our congregation in particular," said Rabbi Michael Howald, the keynote speaker.

"Without their help and support, Temple Israel would not be the welcoming and committed Jewish community we all treasure."

"Our volunteer core at Temple Israel is unlike any other," said Fred Simon, temple president.

"Our four honorees today have given more time to us than we could ever repay. They are the epitome of 'Avodah' which translates into 'service.'

Judge Karen Wolff of Richmond County Family Court and Alan Siegel, the temple's financial secretary, presented to Blackman. Phyllis Elrich and fellow past president Jeffrey Ganz bestowed the honor on Gross. John Greenbaum, a past temple president, and Rhonda Trontz-Allen did the honors for Mrs. Schulman. Judy Scher and Claire Guttsman, temple vice president, lauded Ms. Pappert.

Jerrold Gross and his wife, Karen, have been members of the temple for 36 years. He has served in many positions, both official and informal, including president of both the temple and the Brotherhood, which he was instrumental in rebuilding with the late Bill Weerth. The father of three adult children frequently fills in as the service leader. An electrical engineer and manager who played a key role in computerizing the temple office, Gross retired in 2009 after spending 40 years in the rail industry, mostly with New York City Transit.

Mrs. Schulman, a member since 2005 with husband Adam, has served as director and programming vice president for the Sisterhood. In addition to raising daughter Emily, she was acting co-principal of the religious school in 2010, and has spent countless hours assisting in the temple office. She has been active throughout the years on the House and Ushering Committees and the School Board. She has also served on the Constitution, Capital Construction and Fund-raising Committees.

Blackman has been active in the temple since the late 1980s and he especially enjoys playing his guitar during the Saturday morning Shabbat services. A financial planner and certified wealth strategist, Blackman created a game called MoneyCapsules which helps individuals to understand the complexities of their finances. Blackman and his wife of 35 years, Iris Hershenson, have two adult children.

Ms. Pappert, director of the Goodhue Center since 1989, joined the temple with her husband, Jeffrey Tenzer, in 1991. In her work, she supervises the various recreational, educational, child care and day camp programs that provide services to hundreds of children on the Island each year. She has been involved with many task forces and community groups dealing with social issues facing Islanders.

AHBJC

In commemoration of Tisha B'Av, Arden Heights Boulevard Jewish Center will hold a special program on July 15 about Julius and Ethel Rosenberg, who were convicted in connection with secrets leaked to the Soviets regarding the atomic bomb.

At 7:30 p.m. the congregation will watch a DVD, "Heir to an Execution: a Granddaughter's Story," an emotional, personal quest of the Rosenberg's granddaughter to discover her grandparent's innocence. A discussion will follow with dessert and coffee served prior to onset of fast day. RSVP and prepay $5 by July 11. The center is at 1766 Arthur Kill Rd. For information, call 718-948-6782.

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Source: http://www.silive.com/news/index.ssf/2013/07/temple_israel_reform_congregat_1.html

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