CAI 2023/5784 Annual Report by CongregationAgudathIsrael

We Are Connected ANNUAL REPORT 2023/5784

Rabbi Ari Lucas

We are connected. As Jews and as humans we need each other. One of God’s first observations about humanity is that “it is not good for a person to be alone.” (Gen 2:18) For thousands of years, a secret to our strength and resilience has been our connectedness. We are stronger and healthier when we enmesh our lives with others in community. This year, the US Surgeon General, Vivek Murthy, released a report about the “epidemic of loneliness and isolation.” In the report, he outlines the dangers of social disconnection - including increased risk of anxiety, depression, heart disease, and dementia. These scientific findings, while alarming, are not surprising to us as Jews.

Given this reality, our synagogue community is more important now than ever.

Each of us has a connection that brought us to CAI. There is a spark in every one of us that yearns to connect to something greater than ourselves. It gives us a sense of purpose and meaning when we feel connected to our community, Judaism, Israel, the natural environment, and the spirit that animates the world. Whether your connection is to High Holy Day services, Torah learning, our ECC, Jewish culture, prayer, social events, family, or history, CAI is an ideal setting in which you can strengthen your connections.

For me, I feel especially connected to this community whenever I see people doing somethingsmall or large - for someone else. Paying a shiva call, carpooling kids to religious school, helping with grocery shopping or a ride to the airport. These everyday acts of kindness and consideration are what strengthen our connections over time and make us feel stronger as a community.

In these pages, you’ll read about different moments of connection made possible by the strong community we share at CAI, as well as appreciation for the professionals, volunteers, and the donors whose generosity make these connections possible. But the most important part of this community is each individual who chooses to connect. It’s each of you. So, what’s your connection? And how will you recommit to connecting in the year ahead?

Shanah Tovah to all!

WeAreConnected

CAI President Matt Fischer

As we begin 5784 and prepare for a year packed with programs and activities, I reflect on all that our community has accomplished to bring us back to a state of normalcy following the pandemic. The commitment from you, our members, has enabled our congregation and my family personally, to reach incredible milestones over the past few years, even in the face of significant challenges. For this dedication and trust, I thank you.

During Rabbi Lucas’ installation weekend this past year, he spoke about gratitude, saying “Grateful am I.” As I begin my term as President of CAI, I too am grateful. I’m grateful to be able to lead this incredible, warm, diverse community to which I feel connected in various ways.

This past May, our daughter Sophie’s graduation ceremony from Golda Och Academy was held in the CAI sanctuary. I watched her sing Hatikvah from the same podium where she delivered her D’var Torah at her Bat Mitzvah, in a packed sanctuary in 2018. It was also at that same podium in 2021, that our younger daughter, Marley became a Bat Mitzvah with only 20 of our closest family members and friends in person and the clergy and community on Zoom. As I reflected on these important milestones, I felt a sense of pride and connection to this beautiful synagogue, our second home. I hope that you and your family will also take a moment during the High Holy Days to identify what connects you to CAI and that together we can strengthen these connections.

The path to 5784 has not been a smooth road and we still have a lot of work to do. I am aware that the Board of Trustees may face some difficult decisions ahead of us and, in partnership with you, I am confident that we will approach them head on, thoughtfully and with transparency. Together, we can ensure that Congregation Agudath Israel goes from strength to strength.

Wishing you and your families a Shanah Tovah!

WeAreConnected

Our CAI Community - Why We Are Connected

CAI is a place for learning, teaching and encouraging others to reach higher than they thought they could to work together to multiply acts of lovingkindness.

We value CAI as a place where we have continuously embraced our ability to give, learn and pray. I enter the synagogue each time, knowing that over the last 50 years, we have commemorated numerous family honors and milestones in this extraordinary it

Every day when I bring my child to school at CAI, we are greeted with excitement and love. I know that all of the children in the ECC are given unconditional love, like family.

The clergy are not only brilliant and extraordinarily knowledgeable, they are also creative, inspiring and supportive.

Since day one. Community, family, my village.

I feel connected at CAI whether it’s the Holidays, Shabbat or any day of the week. The welcoming atmosphere makes it easy to build relationships and has made the synagogue a second home.

THANK YOU TO OUR 2022-23

ANNUAL FUND DONORS

BUILDERS

($25,000 AND UP)

Jane and Ned Gladstein

Blanche Lerner

SUSTAINERS ($10,000-$24,999)

Elizabeth and Jeffrey Bier

Rachel and Robert Fink

Mindy and Alex Opper

Robin and Michael Ware

The Wieseneck Family

PILLARS

($5,000-$9,999)

Anonymous

Claire Akselrad

Shari and Mitchell Broder

Jenique and Eric Edelstein

Judy and Steven Elbaum

Daryl and Andrew Epstein

Marisa, Dan, Ari and Adam Fishman

Susan and Matthew Horn

Paula and David Saginaw

Randi and Murray Spiegel

Susan and Elliot Stupak

Helene and Gary Wingens

BENEFACTORS ($2,500-$4,999)

Anonymous

Stephanie and Ben Akselrad

Jean and Ben Alter

Mindy and Evan Blum

Shani and Louis Drogin and Family

Peri Edelstein and Blake, Dahlia and Izzy Shapiro

Karen and Ted Eisenberg

Dana and Douglas Friedman

Stacie and Eric Gebroe

Burton Henry

David Korn

Judy Levenstein and Phil Kruger

Elizabeth and Jonathan Liss

Sheila and Leslie Lustbader

Kelly and Gerald Lustig

Marsha and Michael Messer

Wendy and Scott Newman

Deborah and Stuart Rabner

Alison and Stuart Rosenthal

Cynthia and Jeffrey Schechter

Rachel and Paul Scherzer

Janice and Barry Schindler

Jackie and Steven Walzer

Lori and Hal Wolfson

PATRONS

($1,000 - $2,499)

Anonymous

Edna and Steven Alberts

Liza and Liad Amir

Ruth and Ben Asher

Kerry and Matthew Atlas

Stephanie and Alan Bonder

Carrie and Bradley Bobroff

Susan and Gary Botwinick

CAI Men's Club

Nancy and Cantor Joel Caplan

Greta and Ira Cohen

Judy and John Craig

Jennifer, Nathan, Avery and Jonah Dany

The Dodyk Family

Linda and Jeffrey Drogin

Alisa and Ian Eagle

CAI's Lerner Early Childhood Center

Esta Edelman

Diane B. Edelson

Dorie and Seth Eisenstein

Melissa and Lawrence Elbaum

Linda and Leslie Elfenbein

Joyce and Steven Fichtenbaum

Erica, Greg, Matthew and Sammy Filosa

Anita and Ed Finkel

Donna and Arthur Franklin

Helaine and Richard French

Michele and Jason Frieder

Alison and Lee Frost

Diane Gelman and Michael Lichtenstein

Joyce and Lee Gladstein

Karen and Jeremy Glaser

Melanie and Steven Glass

Robin and Mark Goldman

Alexis Gruber, Matthew, Sophie and Marley Fischer

The Hedvat Family

Shannon Hedvat

Maddy and Hank Heller

Dara Horn, Brendan Schulman and Family

Margaret Karcnik and Richard Tancer

Esther and Harry Kartus

Leah and Adam Kaufman

Renee Kaufman and Arthur Cytryn

Gail and Max Kleinman

The Krichman Family

Linda and Michael Lowenthal

Jean and Mark Mandell

Michele and Jonathan Mehl

Mary and Andrew Messer

Carol R. Morman

Helaine and Michael Mund

Karen Nerlfi and Neil Schreffler

Talya Oberfield and Rabbi Ari Lucas

Deborah and Jeffrey Orens

Laura and David Ostheimer

Geraldine and Thomas Panitch

Sheryl and Sam Pearlstein

Patricia and Theodore Perl

Mandi and Brett Perlmutter

Hilary and Howard Rabner

Marjorie and Keith Remland

Kendra and Bret Resnick

Marlene and Larry Ritter

Debbie and Scott Rosen

Marian Rothenberg

Beth and Stuart Sackman

Jeanne and Joseph Samet

Margie and Larry Samuels

Indicates ECC Garden Sponsorship

THANK YOU TO OUR 2022-23

ANNUAL FUND DONORS

PATRONS Cont'd ($1,000

Debbi and Jamie Schachtel

Rachel and Keith Schultz

Harriet Sepinwall and Jeffrey Rosenberg

Michelle, Adam, Aidan and Peri Shandler

Gail and Bruce Shapiro and Family

Jordan and Joseph Shumofsky

Melissa and Eric Sobel

Amy and Ira Steinberg

Allison and Jeffrey Stupak

Ami and Andrew Talkow

Susan and Seth Udasin

Nina and Arnold Wasserman

Sandy Weintraub

Susan Werk

Dani, Gabe and Moshe Wolberger

Barbara and Benjamin Zimmer

THANK YOU TO OUR 2022-23

ANNUAL FUND DONORS

FRIENDS ($250 - $499)

Anonymous

Robin and Stephen Abrams

Naomi Adelberg

Lisa and Jay Baranker

Stephanie Bash-Soudry and Michael Soudry

Suzanne and Walter Baumgardt

Arlene and Melvin Berkowitz

Ellen and Jonathan Berkowitz

Gail and David Black

Miriam and Matthew Block

Rosanne and Ira Bornstein

The Bramnick Family

The Bressman-Centurrino Family

Randi and Oron Brokman

Selma Brookman

Wendy and Michael Brosse

Fran and Jeffrey Chase

Bonnie and Sheldon Cytron

Marcia and David Danoff

Amy Dell

Judith Fabricant and Rabbi David Saltzman

Lindsay, Jordan, Isabelle and Nathan Farkas

Bonnie Fertel

Beth and Robert Fink

Jodi Friend

Sally and Donald Garson

Marcia and David Gurian

Carrie Halper and Carlos Castro

Sharon and Rabbi Richard Hammerman

Jackie and Kevin Haney

Beverly Hecht

Lauren Hedvat

Elisa Jeffay

Ellen and Marc Kaplan

The Kelmanovich Family

Rebecca Kinburn

Madeleine and David Koenig

Ann and Seth Leeb

Ariel and Wolf Levenson

Susan and Edward Levey

Linda and Israel Majzner

Deborah and Rabbi Clifford Miller

Fani Magnus Monson and Rabbi Michael Monson

Jessica and David Moss

Eric Mulkowsky

Roberta and Norman Mulkowsky

Carol and Harris Nydick

Shari and Charles Ornstein

Fae and Warren Page

Orna Rappoport and David Moses

Diane and David Reidenberg

Eva and Aman Rokhsar

Julie and Brett Rosen

Susan and Jack Rosenkranz

Nancy and Marvin Ruderman

June and Len Rudin

Tara and Ramin Saeedian

Renee Savitz

Jennifer, David, Emma and Jacob Schiefelbein

Margot and Marc Schwartz

Estelle and Paul Seligman

Allegra, Mike and Isaac Simon

Lynn and Michael Simon

Ken Slutsky

Leah Sterman-Kabrt and Richard Kabrt

Aubrey and Sharon Stoch

Larry and Collene Stout

Elliot, Rachel, Arielle, Shayna and Talia Tobin

Sharlene and Paul Vichness

SUPPORTERS (UP TO $249)

Anonymous

Mary Lou Allen

Sari and Uri Allen

Tamar and Ben Amoyal

Helene and David Arzt

Tikva Bakal

Allison and Steven Barbag

The Ben Nathan Family

Audra and Gary Berger

The Bertaccini Family

Joan Bronspiegel and Stuart Dickman

Nurit and Michael Brown

Irene Blumberg

Judy Buchler

Burke Family

Beth and Robert Daniel

Naomi Danis

Ashley and Daniel Davidow

Rachel and Andrew Davis and Family

Lori Deitch and Family

Jilana Dellal and Paul Hoffman

Roberta Diamond

Eileen Dombrowsky and Harold Kaplan

Nina and Alan Egger

Susan and Steven Eisen

Vera and Brian Ehrlich

Mark Englander and Family

Tammy and Robert Epstein

Jill and David Feder

Tara and Gregory Feig

The Fenster Family

Jaclyn and Mathew Fern

Annette and Joseph Fine

Sally Fineman

The Forman Family

The Frank Family

ecca and Jon Frank

Indicates ECC Garden Sponsorship

THANK YOU TO OUR 2022-23

ANNUAL FUND DONORS

SUPPORTERS Cont'd (UP TO $249)

Iris and Mark Frank

Joan and Myron Freling

Allyson and Michael Friedman

The Friess Family

Adina and Evan Galatz

Andrea and Jason Gendel

Sara and Seth Glasser

Amy and Alex Glickman

Glenn, Jordan and Emma Godfrey

Susan Goldberg

Daniel Goldin

Cindy and Neil Goldstein

Jo, Dylan and MiaBeth Gorodetzer

Lisa and Brad Greenbaum

Susan and Steven Greenbaum

Amy and Steven Greenberg

Groman Family

Sue Grossbard

Susan and Franklin Gurtman

Pia Gutierrez

Andrea and Bradley Hecht

Josh Henry

Harvey Hershkowitz

Lisa, Ryan and Max Hipscher

Reina and Myron Jacobowitz

Jessica, Steve, Nate and Maren Jacobs

Suzanne Jacobs

Ruth Jaffe and Paul Horowitz

Gena and Matthew Jarmel

Evie and Gary Kabler

Rikki and Mikhail Kagan

Victoria and Howard Kahn

Mayda and Martin Kale

Esther and Steven Kamenetsky

Amy Kaplan

The Kessler Family

Risa and Charlie Kessler and Family

Julie Klein

Susan Kogan

Lauren and Jeffrey Kohlberg

Mark Kushner

Lampert Family

Vivienne and Alan Landy

Frances and Ben Larkey

The Levine Family

Ilana, Matt, Max and Sam Levine

Nancy and Howard Levine

Myra Levine-Lerman and Stephan Lerman

Bernard Levy

Maria, Dan, Hannah and Maddie Lewis

Elaine and Arnie Litt

Debbie, Jay and Josh Lubetkin

Beyla and Stanley Makovsky

Robin and Matthew Mangino

The Mankin-Dolph Family

Janet and Bob Markman

Lauren and Stuart Markon

Lisa and Jason Marx

The Meirzon Family

Marcia and Scott Mickley

Alice Mikulak

Marcia Mohl

Diane and Harvey Moskowitz

Erin and David Mossberg

Natalie and Richard Peck

Mira and Glenn Prives

Megan and Paul Rabinowitz

Keri and Scott Rehns

Sharon and Alan Rein

Beth and Scott Reiser

Renee and Joel Reiser

Maida and David Richlin

Lauren and Jason Rose

Ellen and Robert Rosen

Davey and Ed Rosenbaum

Bonnie and Bernard Rosenfeld

Loren and Mark Roth

The Rothman Family

Carol and Mark Rothstein

Marjorie Rozman

Alix Rubin and David Grossman

Carolyn and Warren Ruderman

Renee Sachs

Judy Salomon

Gloria Saltz

Hani and Kenny Sandler

Geri Schaeffer

Elisa and Martin Schenker

Jill and Stewart Schneck

Lauren and Eric Schwartz

Susan and Marvin Schwartz

Bonnie and Steve Schwartzman

Debbie Schwenk

Nancy, Bruce and Joshua Scott

Barbara Sebiri

Allison and David Semaya

Marianne and Laurence Shulman

Lina and Alex Shuster

Diane and Alan Sklar

The Speier Family

Debra and Tom Spiesman

Melissa Steb

Myra and Mal Sumka

Susan and Stephen Sunshine

Leah Tarlow

Leslie and Daniel Tubul

Abby and Harry Vine

Gina and Philip Vinick

Lauri, Jeff and Claire Wactlar

Susan Wallach

The Weinberg Family

Alexandra and Benjamin Weingarten

Joel Weingarten

Aaron Weininger

Debra and Seth Weisleder

Celeste Werfel

Lea Citrin Whitney

Rabbi Marge Wise

Danielle, Scott, Marni and Cooper Wormser

Lauren and Evan Wormser

Judy and Allen Zaks

Lisa and Mikhail Zeltser

Michelle Zeman and Howard Feiwus

The Zucker Family

Indicates ECC Garden Sponsorship

Our CAI Community - Why We Are Connected

here is an authenticity to CAI that I don’t discern in many other places. The worship is “real”, the people themselves, devoid of airs and attempts to ss.

I have never felt more connected to CAI than when my daughter confidently and happily runs into the arms of her teachers and friends at the ECC. I am incredibly grateful to be able to share the warmth and support that I always felt growing up at CAI with her now.

CAI is my spiritual home, a center of learning, intergenerational camaraderie and caring. It is my community and a source of growth.

CAI was the only synagogue in the area that would train my daughter, who has mild ADHD, for her Bat Mitzvah. It was a wonderful success!

I was born into the CAI community and it holds a special place in my heart. From my Bat Mitzvah to my recent wedding in the sanctuary, I have celebrated so many milestones with my Agudath family. No matter what stage of life, I will always call CAI home.

I feel connected every time I enter CAI, especially to attend my Adult Ed classes. The addition of Zoom made CAI even more special.

CAI's Impact

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We welcomed 48 new families 287 children enrolled in our Lerner ECC & Religious School We celebrated the installation of our Senior Rabbi Ari Lucas and our Assistant Rabbi Sara Blumenthal More than 55 congregants traveled to Israel with CAI and Greater Metrowest Federation

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42 B'nai Mitzvah 10 Brit Milah and Simchat Bat ceremonies 3 Weddings 4 Aufrufs 22 Funerals 50+ families supported during Shiva Our clergy team officiated at many life cycle milestones... ECC Grandfriends Program Friday Night Cocktails S'lichot and S'mores Sukkah Hop Dueling Pianos Golden Ladle Cooking Competition We introduced several new events this year

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is year with a haring our ing our Voices

thening our nd planned an lendar of ines, programs, tivities. It was to be able to rs again and century! Here f some of CAI’s hments in 2023.

2022-2023

We hosted many of our favorite annual programs in person!

ECC Parent's Night Out

Comedy Night

Family Concerts

Super Bowl Shabbat

Men’s Club March Madness

Juneteenth Shabbat

Iftar Dinner

Spirits in the Sukkah

Mah Jongg Madness

We offered a wide array of Adult Education classes and activities

16 Weekly/Monthly Classes

NJ Jewish Film Festival Sponsorship

Broadway and Museum Field Trips

Scholar in Residence Shabbat

Jewish Disability Awareness, Acceptance and Inclusion Shabbat

Israeli Dance Program

Cooking Workshops

Our com in mea

Lerner ECC Board

Create for a Cause

Interfaith Committee

Combating Anti-Semitism

Environmental Committee

Social Action Committee

Men's Club and Sisterhood

Israel Committee

Tzedek Initiative

Caring Committee

Cemetery Assocation

Rabbi Emeritus Alan Silverstein

obeoursynagogue'sRabbiEmeritus,followingfortyyearsasSeniorRabbi.Similartoallof p nalstaff,myeffortsaretargetedatconnectingourmemberstooneanotherandtothe largercommunityaswell.

MythreeZoomclasseseachweekbuildbondsamongseveraldozendevotedcongregantsofvariousages andbackgrounds.

Myweeklypre-ShabbatFridayafternoonserviceatCrane'sMillseniorlivingfacilitystrengthensties amongmembers,parentsofmembersandtheirneighbors.

Myfrequentop-edcolumnsintheMetroWestJewishNewsandpostsonmyTimesofIsraelblogareyet anothersourceofforgingtiesfortheCAIfamilywiththeglobalJewishcommunity.

MycontinuingPresidencyofMercazOlami,ConservativeJudaism'sIsrael/Zionistworldwideframework sustainsourengagementwithourMovement'sorganizationsintheUSA,Israel,LatinAmericaand Europe.

Ialsohavethehonorof"fillingin"forRabbiLucasbyofficiatingatfunerals,unveilings,weddingsand babynamings,whichserveas"connectors"tooneanotherandtooursynagogue.

ShanahTovah!

Assistant Rabbi Sara Blumenthal

s ten minutes is all you need to deepen a connection. Although not very long, it’s enough time to check in, talk a little Torah, and in the process, get to know someone better.

This past winter, I had the opportunity to do just that with each sixth grader. I traded in my classroom teacher hat for my rabbi/study partner/coach hat and loved it. In a one-on-one setting, students shared their questions and insights about their Torah portions with me as a way to begin preparing for their B’nai Mitzvah. These meetings also gave us a chance to meet each other “where we were at,” sitting across a table on a Wednesday afternoon. Most importantly, our conversations planted the seed for a cherished studentrabbi relationship to grow through interactions both big and small. I am so fortunate to have had this time with these bright, thoughtful, and curious students. It truly is amazing what can happen in ten minutes.

Shanah Tovah!

WeAreConnected

Cantor Joel Caplan

Our congregants connect to one another in so many ways each day at CAI. They build within the community that sustain them through moments of joy, as well as through life’s inevitable challenges. As the Cantor, I witness these relationships firsthand and there are three examples of important connection opportunities that stand out in my mind.

1) A B'nai Mitzvah Service: The most obvious connection is the look of pride and pure joy on the faces of parents and grandparents while their child or grandchild is leading services. But everyone else who is sitting in the sanctuary is connected as well. We often say to the congregation, "It wouldn't be a celebration without you," and that's so true.

2) A Shiva Minyan: It’s not a joy to show up at a Shiva, but being there, face to face, is the balm that helps the mourner recover. As a community, we show up for each other, especially during challenging times.

3) A Beautiful Melody: Just as you need the whole team to score a touchdown - running backs, wide receivers and the offensive line - you can't make harmony in synagogue by yourself. You have to sing with other people, and coordinate your efforts to make music. The connection that is created when we sing and pray together is extremely powerful.

I look forward to seeing you and making new connections in 5784!

Shanah Tovah!

Membership & Community Relations Director Debbie Lurie

podcast host, Dr. Brené Brown, defines connection as “the energy that exists between people eel seen, heard and valued; when they can give and receive without judgment; and when they derive sustenance and strength from the relationship.”

CAI is THE place where you can experience this kind of energy and become an integral thread in the fabric of our community. It is a place you can call home. Get involved. Participate and volunteer. Come to services and Kiddush lunch. Attend events for every age and stage. The return on your investment will undoubtedly be fulfilling and result in meaningful connections to each other and to a larger community.

An important part of my role at CAI is to help individuals and families find their personal connection within our synagogue community. I feel most rewarded when we create opportunities for relationships to form and flourish and witness the life affirming benefits that result. Do not hesitate to reach out to me to explore the many ways that you can become more connected with our incredible congregation.

Let’s pay it forward by helping to spread the word about our special community and all that we have to offer. Keep telling your friends, family, and neighbors about your positive experiences at CAI and the meaningful connections you have made.

Wishing you and your families a healthy and joyous year!

WeAreConnected

ECC Director Geula Zamist

ominent philosopher and educator said, “We do not learn from experience…we learn from ience.” After reflecting on this year’s exciting, new ECC initiative, the Grandfriends earned a great deal about the power and importance of multi-generational connections.

There was joy and magic in the room on a special Friday morning this past May, when the ECC hosted a Shabbat celebration for our Fours students, their parents and their Grandfriends. For months, these four year olds were coming home and enthusiastically telling their parents about their new Grandfriends.

Based on the parents’ request, the ECC planned a multi-generational Shabbat celebration, including singing, eating and dancing. One of the most beautiful moments of the gathering occurred when everyone stood together under a handmade quilted tallit with individual squares created by the Grandfriends and the students.

Then, the true learning happened when the ECC Parents and Grandfriends sat in a circle to reflect on their shared experience. They took the time to pause and look around the room. Some ECC parents were reconnecting with friends of their own parents, who they hadn’t seen in years, some were connecting with old teachers, while others were establishing new friendships and making commitments to stay connected after the school year ended.

The Grandfriends program was an important catalyst that led to new multi-generational connections and relationships which are at the heart of our Agudath Israel family. We look forward to forging new connections and strengthening our existing bonds throughout the CAI community in the year ahead.

Shanah Tovah!

Executive Director Lina Shuster

ly connected is our brain's lifelong passion," said Matthew Lieberman, a social cognitive neuroscience professor at UCLA. Social connection is proven to be just as important as food and shelter. In a world where technology provides infinite virtual connections, true social connection is often difficult to find, but not at Congregation Agudath Israel.

During my first year at CAI, I have heard many congregants refer to our synagogue as their home, a place where they have found their “people”. I love being a part of such a wonderful community, where social connections organically happen every single day. Our ECC and Religious School, Adult Education classes, Social Justice or Community Service programs, meaningful sermons, daily minyan and milestone celebrations - offer moments of connection that is the harmony and magic of Agudath. Our professional team feels this special bond too and we find meaning in our everyday work by supporting such a vibrant community.

The coming year will be filled with incredible programs that span all “ages and stages” and meet the diverse needs of our congregation. So please, join us and strengthen your connections to each other and to our Agudath family.

Wishing you and your families a Shanah Tovah!

WeAreConnected

Education Director Susan Werk

Fall is here, and while our ECC and Religious School hallways are buzzing with our youngest members, our teens and young adults are off for another (or their first) year on their higher education journey. During their visits home, many have told me about playing “Jewish geography” with their fellow students. We’ve all played this game: We meet someone, ask, “Where are you from?” and delight in discovering - after a little digging - that we have acquaintances or even relatives in common. It’s such a great way to begin new friendships - with surprising bonds of Jewish connectedness.

I love to hear, especially from the college kids, how gratified they feel when their Jewish Geography connections lead to - Agudath Israel! What an added source of pleasure when their new relationships begin with shared pride over their ties to our nurturing, enriching community!

So remember, when playing the game - even at a CAI Adult Ed class, attending a religious school or ECC children’s program or mingling in the lobby on the High Holidays - we can all point with pride to one special location on the Jewish Geography map: “I belong to Congregation Agudath Israel, a vibrant Jewish community in Caldwell, NJ.”

Wishing everyone a sweet and meaningful year. Shanah Tovah!

you to the 2022-23

CAI Executive Committee & Board of Trustees

Shani Drogin, President

Matthew Fischer, Sr. Vice President

Alison Rosenthal, Vice President

Jordan Shumofsky, Vice President

David Moses, Vice President

Daniel Fishman, Treasurer

Seth Fliegler, Financial Executive

Debbie Rosen, Secretary

Gayle Wieseneck, Counsel

Yaron Ashkenazi

Stephanie Bonder

Steven Fichtenbaum

Arthur Franklin

Lee Gladstein

Sharon Hammerman

Jacqueline Haney

Burt Henry

Steven Holinstat

Adam Kaufman

Gail Kleinman

Morris Lewis

Mark Lipsy

David Lurie

Lisa Mechanick

Jonathan Mehl

Mary Messer

Joshua Raymond

Scott Reiser

Allison Semaya

Adam Shandler

Allegra Simon

Eric Sobel

Aaron Solomon

Pamela Weinstein

Seth Weisleder

Scott Wormser

Thank

WeAreConnected

THANK YOU TO OUR LEGACY CIRCLE DONORS

Legacy Circle Donors have generously planned to support Congregation Agudath Israel beyond their lifetime to ensure CAI's financial strength for future generations. Please reach out to Steve Fichtenbaum at sfichtenbaum@agudath.org to learn how you can participate in CAI's Legacy Circle.

Anonymous

Hope and Paul Aronoff

Arlene and Mel Berkowitz

Gail and David Black

Stanley G. Blank

Miriam and Matthew Block

Phyllis S. and Barry z"l Bochner

Stephanie and Alan Bonder

Susan and Gary Botwinick

Joan Bronspiegel and Stuart Dickman

Nancy and Cantor Joel Caplan

Greta and Ira Cohen

Judy and John Craig

Beth and Robert Daniel

Jilana Dellal

Diane B. Edelson

Jenique and Eric Edelstein

Susan and Steven Eisen

Karen and Ted Eisenberg

Linda and Leslie Elfenbein

Mark M. Englander

Marjorie and Norman Feinstein

Joyce and Steven Fichtenbaum

Phyllis and Marvin z"l Friedman

Robert E. Friedman

Joyce and Lee Gladstein

Cindy and Neil Goldstein

Marsha z"l and Burton Henry

Ruth Jaffe and Paul Horowitz

Natalie James

Esther and Harry Kartus

Shai Lindsey Kartus

Gail and Max Kleinman

Sasha and Matthew Koff

Larkey Family

Amy and Scott Lewin

Amy and Bill Lipsey

Linda and Michael Lowenthal

Debbie and David Lurie

Etta and Froman Mehl

Michele and Jonathan Mehl

Marsha and Michael Messer

Carol R. Morman

Nancy Heller Moskowitz

Helaine and Michael Mund

Meryl Natter

Rebecca and Eric Nelson and Family

Karen Hauss Nerfli

Jayne and Victor Nhaisi

Carol and Harris Nydick

Marjorie Nydick

Mindy and Alex Opper

Deborah and Stuart Rabner

Hilary and Howard Rabner

Michele and Larry Raiken

Renee and Joel Reiser

Nogah and Bruce Revesz

Marilyn Rose

Marian Rothenberg

Paula and David Saginaw

Margie and Larry Samuels

Ronna and Rob Scheckman

Rachel and Paul Scherzer

Barbara Kaplan Sebiri

Harriet Sepinwall

Michelle and Adam Shandler

Rita and Rabbi Alan Silverstein

Caryn and Brian Snerson

Randi and Murray Spiegel

Bea and Nat z''l Taubenfeld

Sandy and Jim z"l Weintraub

Melissa G. and David S. Weisman

Nathan Weisman

Susan Werk

Jody and Rabbi Steven Wernick

Lea Whitney

Maxine z"l and Herb Wolf

Allison and Robert Wright

The Roots of our CAI Connections

WeAreConnected Love Music Friendly Welcoming Family Friends Community Comfort High Holy Days Shabbat SecondHome Being Involved Listening Sanctuary Appreciation Singing Praying Spiritual Home AttendingClasses Grateful HelpingHands Enriching Interacting Engagi n g Interesting Fun Caring Torah Simchas Giving Learning Excitment Love Special Kindness Working Together Judaism Kiddush Socialize Acceptance Intergenerational Growth Volunteering JewishLife Schmooze Diversity Chevra Peace Music Ritual Tradition Inclusive Memories Belonging Special Special Intergenerational Learning Engaging Simchas Simchas Shabbat HighHolyDays Music JewishLife Diversity Judaism Torah Special Love Volunteering Giving WorkingTogether Praying Family Family Tradition Tradition CommunityFun Fun Schmooze Special Special GivingInclusive Engaging Socialize Ritual Giving HighHolyDays Engaging Music

THANK YOU TO OUR CENTENNIAL CAMPAIGN DONORS

The Centennial Campaign marked our synagogue’s 100th anniversary and its historic rabbinic leadership transition. We are grateful to those congregants who generously made a multi-year commitment to support this effort.

HEAD, HEART AND HAND SPONSORS

($250,000 AND UP)

Judy and John Craig

The Wieseneck and Shapiro Families

PLATINUM SPONSORS

($100,000-$249,999)

Rachel and Robert Fink

Mindy and Alex Opper

GOLD SPONSORS

($50,000-$99,999)

Elizabeth and Jeffrey Bier

Rachel and Adam Broder

Judy and Steven Elbaum

Marsha z"l and Burton Henry and Family

Kerry and Matthew Atlas

Elaine and Stuart Berger

Mindy and Evan Blum

Shari and Mitchell Broder

Susie and Howard Bruch

Shani and Louis Drogin

Jenique and Eric Edelstein

Dorie and Seth Eisenstein

Daryl and Andrew Epstein

Marjorie and Norman Feinstein

Marisa and Dan Fishman

Dana and Douglas Friedman

Ruth Percely z"l

Alison and Stuart Rosenthal

Wendy and Stephen Weinstein

Helene and Gary Wingens

SILVER SPONSORS

($25,000-$49,999)

Valantina and Nejat Hedvat

Ilene and Bruce Jacobs

Eleanor and Marc Kramer

Elizabeth and Jonathan Liss

Sheila and Leslie Lustbader

Marsha and Michael Messer

Rebecca and Eric Nelson

Wendy and Scott Newman

Jayne and Victor Nhaisi

Carol and Harris Nydick

Talya Oberfield and Rabbi Ari Lucas

Sheryl and Sam Pearlstein

Deborah and Stuart Rabner

Debbie and Scott Rosen

Paula and David Saginaw

Margie and Larry Samuels

Janice and Barry Schindler

Randi and Murray Spiegel

Amy and Ira Steinberg

The Taubenfeld Family

Robin and Michael Ware

Lori and Hal Wolfson

THANK YOU TO OUR CENTENNIAL CAMPAIGN DONORS

BRONZE SPONSORS ($10,000-$24,999)

Claire Akselrad

Carrie and Bradley Bobroff

Stephanie and Alan Bonder

Susan and Gary Botwinick

Lynda and Craig Brown

Nancy and Cantor Joel Caplan

Jennifer and Nathan Dany

Karen and Ted Eisenberg

Samantha and Seth Fliegler

Donna and Arthur Franklin

Michele and Jason Frieder

Alison and Lee Frost

Diane Gelman and Michael Lichtenstein

Jane and Ned Gladstein

Lisa Hochman and Marc Rudoltz

Judy Levenstein and Philip Kruger

Mary and Andrew Messer

Hilary and Howard Rabner

Michele and Larry Raiken

The Reiser Family

Beth and Stuart Sackman

Serena and Aaron Solomon

Ami and Andy Talkow

Susan Werk and Joseph Werk

TZEDAKAH SPONSORS ($7,500-$9,999)

Peri Edelstein and Blake Shapiro

Tara and Greg Feig

TORAH SPONSORS ($5,000-$7,499)

Robin and Stephen Abrams

Hyman Fisher

Phyllis and Michael Kann

Gail and Max Kleinman

Linda and Michael Lowenthal

Debbie and David Lurie

Michelle and Jon Mehl

Julie and Brett Rosen

Rachel and Paul Scherzer

Marianne and Laurence Shulman

Jordan and Joseph Shumofsky

Caryn and Brian Snerson

Susan and Elliot Stupak

Grace and David Sumka

TIKKUN OLAM SPONSORS ($2,500-$4,999)

Arthur Bocian

Beth and Howard Cannon

Alexis Gruber and Matt Fischer

Esther and Harry Kartus

Stacey and Morris Lewis

Mandi and Brett Perlmutter

Orna Rappoport and David Moses

Debbi and Jamie Schachtel

Harriet Sepinwall and Jeffrey Rosenberg

Lesley and Stanley Weilgus

Debra and Seth Weisleder

CHAI SPONSORS ($1,800)

Liza and Liad Amir

Eta Gerson Cohen and Steven Cohen

Greta and Ira Cohen

Amy and Larry Dodyk

Linda and Leslie Elfenbein

Eileen and Sanford Fishman

Phyllis and Marvin z"l Friedman

Jewish Federation of Greater MetroWest NJ

Fern and Mark Kumar

Blanche Lerner

Carol R. Morman

Iris and Duby Moskowitz

Deborah and Jeffrey Orens

Judy and Adam Schlesinger

Lynn and Michael Simon

MITZVAH SPONSORS ($1,000)

Carol and Marc Berman

Anne and Howard Burg

Jilana Dellal and Paul Hoffman

Barbara and Michael Erlichman

Joyce and Steven Fichtenbaum

Linda and Neil Freeman

Helaine and Richard French

Karen and Jeremy Glaser

Rebecca Glass and Derek Fields

Judith Gould and Michael Cavalier

Susan Kogan

Ronnie and Alvin Konner

Diane and David Reidenberg

Marjorie Rozman

Jeanne and Joseph Samet

Susan and Seth Udasin

Judy and Harvey Zeller

October 1, 2023

October 19-21, 2023

October 22, 2023

November 5, 2023

November 7, 2023

November 14, 2023

November 29, 2023

January 6, 2024

January 24, 2024

January 27, 2024

February 9, 2024

Second Annual Sukkah Hop

Artist in Residence Weekend and Concert with Rabbi Josh Warshawsky

Israel Committee Walkathon

Lerner Early Childhood Center Holiday Boutique

Kristallnacht Program

Men's Club Texas Hold'em Poker Tournament

Cooking Workshop and Book Discussion with author and comedian Joel Chasnoff

Sisterhood Kugel Cook-Off

Men's Club Annual Blood Drive

Sixth Annual Comedy Night with comedian Cory Kahaney

Super Bowl Shabbat Friday Night Family Service and Dinner

J O I N U S F O R C A I E V E N T S ! Congregation Agudath Israel 20 Academy Road • Caldwell, NJ 07006 • 973-226-3600 • www agudath org

a full calendar of events visit www agudath org

For