2026 Gala Ad Journal by Lesley_CBT

Studio 54 Angel Sponsor

7:00 to 8:00 8:00 8:45 9:30 9:45 10:30 11:00

February 21, 2026

Cocktail Hour

Silent auction, lottery board, money tree & raffle open

Ballroom opens for hora/dancing

Welcome / Motzei

Main course served

Speeches and gift presentation

Silent auction closed

Silent auction winners posted

Lottery board/money tree winners announced

Raffle winners announced

Party on, enjoy dessert

12:00 Midnight

Get home safely!

From the Co-Chairs

Dear Renee and Steve,

When WAM asked us to chair this year’s Gala honoring the two of you, it was an easy decision for us to accept. Your years of service to our CBT community humble us. How could we say “no”, even though we had no prior experience on the Gala committee?

So from that day last summer until tonight, we have immersed ourselves in the “Juro” experience. Now, we are all here to recognize your accomplishments, which are many and legendary, and too numerous to name. From your participation on the synagogue board and executive committee, to chairing countless events, to setting up chairs for high holidays, you walk the walk. Most importantly, you support those who need a hand, you show up to make a minyan so a mourner can say Kaddish, you lend your words of reason and compassion, you support our spiritual life, you are the heart of our congregation.

Your example sets the standard for our community, and for your beautiful family. You have raised two wonderful sons, Matthew and David, who grew up in this synagogue and USY, and who echo your spirit and dedication to the Jewish community.

On a personal level, you are our dear friends, and we could not be happier to be a part of your special night. On the long road leading to this evening’s celebration, everyone we encountered expressed their excitement for you and their desire to take part in honoring you. Sharing that spirit, our community now comes together in a raucous Hora lifting you up to the heights!

And as we dance the night away, special recognition goes to our amazing and tireless Gala committee. Club CBT raises a well-deserved vodka shotglass to our Galateers: Marci and Marty Abschutz, Diana Schimmel Avena, Bobbi and Marc Binder, Gale and Marc Dillman, Melissa Fisch, Cindy Gittleman, Danny Greenberg, Michele Melcer, Ruth Anne Koenick, Marcia and Barry Nathanson, Chris and Kim Riemann, Marcia and Jeff Schwartz, Michele and Randi Sherman, Nancy Asher-Shultz and Dave Shultz, Amanda Uniman, Ken and Shelly Wistriech, and Tammy Zimmerman. Your expertise saved these clueless “leaders.” A very special shout out to our Executive Director, Lesley Lewkowicz! L’chaim! You are all absolutely fabulous!

Tonight, we let loose with joy. Club CBT has officially opened and we will party like it’s 1999!

Linda Fellen and Ben Gottesman, 2026 Gala Co-chairs

From the Rabbi

From WAM

Dear Renee and Steve,

Tonight we honor an incredibly deserving couple, Renee and Steve Juro. If you know the Juros, it is quite obvious why these two were chosen to be Congregation B’nai Tikvah’s 2026 Gala Honorees!

We are lucky enough to have known Renee and Steve for decades and are thrilled to share some of their many synagogue related accomplishments. Renee began volunteering in 2008 serving on the Religious School committee, multiple search committees and even on the Executive Board as Membership VP. She currently serves on the Sisterhood and synagogue board. She is always willing to step up with a smile. Her reliability and kindness are only rivaled by her creativity. For many years, Renee has served on the gala committee, lending her talents to executing beautiful silent auction set ups, and more recently by putting together our now famous money tree and lottery board.

So from that day last summer until tonight, it has been quite a journey for us, “leading” a team of vastly more experienced Galateers, our committee members who much like yourselves, have exemplified the essence of service and dedication.

Tonight, our community, and your friends and family are here to recognize your accomplishments, which are many and legendary. You are always there to lend a hand. You participate in and support so many of our activities. You have given years of service on the synagogue board and executive committee. You have chaired countless events, fundraisers, social and educational programs. You are active in Sisterhood and Men’s Club. You plan, you innovate, you build, you design, you lift, you schlep…you are there to set up before events and clean up after. You lend your knowledge, creativity and intelligence to important and complex issues. Most importantly, you support those who need a hand, you show up to make a minyan so a mourner can say Kaddish, you lend your words of reason and compassion, you support our spiritual life, you are the heart of our congregation.

Renee is not alone in her passion for CBT. In 2020, Renee and Steve stepped up to Co-Chair our Dueling Pianos Fundraiser event. A huge undertaking, with fabulous results! For as long as anyone can remember, Steve has been in charge of putting together the Gala tribute book. This is a tremendous task that requires patience, creativity and attention to detail. Luckily, Steve has no shortage of all three!

You live by example, setting the standard for our community, and for your beautiful family. You have raised two wonderful sons, Matthew and David, who grew up in this synagogue and USY, and who echo your spirit and dedication to the Jewish community.

Steve followed in Renee’s volunteer footsteps, serving on the synagogue board, the Youth Committee and ultimately the Executive Board in 2018. We are incredibly lucky to work very closely with Steve in our WAM (Ways & Means, Activities and Membership) triad. Steve is VP Activities. He is organized, levelheaded and genuinely cares to ensure a variety of programs to satisfy many different congregant personalities.

And as we dance the night away, special recognition goes to our amazing, expert and tireless Gala committee: Club CBT raises a well-deserved vodka shotglass to our Galateers: Marci and Marty Abschutz, Diana Schimmel Avena, Bobbi and Marc Binder, Gale and Marc Dillman, Melissa Fisch, Cindy Gittleman, Danny Greenberg, Michele Melcer, Ruth Anne Koenick, Marcia and Barry Nathanson, Chris and Kim Riemann, Marcia and Jeff Schwartz, Michele and Randi Sherman, Nancy Asher-Shultz and Dave Shultz, Amanda Uniman, Ken and Shelly Wistriech, and Tammy Zimmerman. A very special shout out to our Executive Director, Lesley Lewkowickz! L’chaim! You are all absolutely fabulous!

Renee & Steve: Mazel Tov on this wonderful honor. We hope that you have a great evening, surrounded by loved ones, eat & drink to your hearts content, and dance until your feet hurt!

With love and gratitude,

The “other” two-thirds of WAM

Tonight, we let loose with joy. Club CBT has officially opened and we will party like it’s 1999!

Bobbi Binder (VP Membership) and Amanda Uniman (VP Ways & Means)

Linda Fellen and Ben Gottesman, 2026 Gala Co-chairs

From the Presidents

Dear Renee and Steve,

Dear Renee and Steve:

Honoring you both was so the right decision as both of you have supported B’nai Tikvah in many ways.

Renee, when I (Ruth Anne) was President for the first time, over 18 years ago, every time I asked if you would do something, you always said yes. You really made my life so much easier. You were always helpful and very kind in your response but more important, you stepped up to support some part of B’nai Tikvah.

Steve, since before you were a Bar Mitzvah you have been a valued member of our community. Recently, you have overseen the Gala Tribute book for so long, we are not sure if you are happy or sad this year that someone else is in charge of the book. Our guess is next year you will be asked to do it again, so you don’t feel left out. And you are now the VP of Activities, an important part of WAM and who knows where that will lead you in the coming years.

Each of you have served on the Board of Trustees for many years covering several different terms of office. We, Ruth Anne and I, have been fortunate to be the recipients of your smart and reasonable counsel on the numerous issues that come before our Board. During several of those terms you have served as members of our Executive Committee.

For these reasons and so many more where the two of you give back to B’nai Tikvah, selflessly, it is most deserved that we honor you here, at Club CBT, tonight.

May you continue to go from strength to strength.

All our thanks,

Ruth Anne & Marty Co-Presidents

Tonight, we let loose with joy. Club CBT has officially opened and we will party like it’s 1999!

Linda Fellen and Ben Gottesman, 2026 Gala Co-chairs

From the Cantor

Dear Renee and Steve,

Dear Renee and Steve,

The song. “And the Youth Shall See Visions” by Debbie Friedman, with words adapted from the Prophet Joel, will always remind me of you and your great work for B’nai Tikvah.

Childhood was for fantasies, for nursery rhymes and toys.

The world was much too busy to understand small girls and boys. As I grew up, I came to learn that life was not a game, That heroes were just people that we called another name.

Renee and Steve, you were both children when you became involved in synagogue life. Steve you grew up here at B’nai Tikvah and its predecessors, you and your family are founding members, this is your home away from home. Renee, you are the same sunny, optimistic person who I met when you were a student and I, a young college student teacher at our home shul, Neve Shalom in Metuchen. What is a hero? It could be a person who learns the lessons of our traditions and lives them wholeheartedly, like you.

Now I’m grown, the years have passed, I’ve come to understand: There are choices to be made and my life’s at my command. I cannot have a future ’til I embrace my past. I promise to pursue the challenge, time is going fast.

You made the best choices, raising your sons, Matthew and David here at our home, B’nai Tikvah, teaching them to carry forth the traditions of your family and this dedicated Jewish community during these very complicated times.

Today’s the day I take my stand, the future’s mine to hold. Commitments that I make today are dreams from days of old. I have to make the way for generations come and go. I have to teach them what I’ve learned so they will come to know.

You have been the most stellar of volunteers at B’nai Tikvah for all these years. We depend on you and your good, kind and generous natures. When there is a B’nai Tikvah event, big or small, personal or for the whole congregation, you are the common denominator without being the center of attention. You always prioritize the needs of others.

We have had the blessing of having you as quite leaders of our community for a long time, tonight we salute you with a little deserved fanfare and recognize your love and dedication to our Jewish community. You are menches of the highest level, may you go from strength to strength and may your example continue to inspire all who have the pleasure to know you.

And the old shall dream dreams, and the youth shall see visions, And our hopes shall rise up to the sky. We must live for today; we must build for tomorrow. Give us time, give us strength, give us life.

With Joy!

Cantor Bruce Rockman

Tonight, we let loose with joy. Club CBT has officially opened and we will party like it’s 1999!

Linda Fellen and Ben Gottesman, 2026 Gala Co-chairs

From our Honorees

Dear Renee and Steve,

Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!

When WAM asked us to chair this year’s Gala honoring the two s to accept. Your years of service to our CBT community humble though we had no prior experience on the Gala committee?

We love this place we call B’nai Tikvah! We have made it our second home and get so much love and joy from being a part of it. No doubt that we’ve spent many hours here at Board meetings, planning meetings, events, Hebrew School, USY, services and so much more. But, for all the work and time that we have given, we have exponentially received friendship, happiness and enrichment in return.

So from that day last summer until tonight, it has been quite a vastly more experienced Galateers, our committee members w exemplified the essence of service and dedication.

Tonight, our community, and your friends and family are here which are many and legendary. You are always there to lend a so many of our activities. You have given years of service on th committee. You have chaired countless events, fundraisers, so are active in Sisterhood and Men’s Club. You plan, you innova u schlep…you are there to set up before events and clean up afte ty and intelligence to important and complex issues. Most impor hand, you show up to make a minyan so a mourner can say Kad and compassion, you support our spiritual life, you are the hea t o ou co g egat o

To our friends and family, thank you for listening to our constant chatter about this CBT event or that CBT member. Whether you joined us tonight, sent in a tribute or just nodded without looking too bored, we hope that you understand how much this place means to us and we appreciate you supporting it. Having spent many years on the Gala Committee, we know all the planning and work that go into making this event a success. We thank each and every committee member!

Finally, to our B’nai Tikvah family, thank you for this honor. As you probably know, this is way out of our comfort zone. But we truly appreciate the recognition and hope this Gala helps the congregation live on for many years, impacting many people and keeping the Jewish spirit alive in this beautiful community! With all our love (and Club CBT energy),

Renee & Steve Juro

Tonight, we let loose with joy. Club CBT has officially opened and we will party like it’s 1999!

Linda Fellen and Ben Gottesman, 2026 Gala Co-chairs

Stone Pony Angel Sponsor

Heartiest congratulations and a well-deserved Mazal Tov to: RENÉE and STEVE JURO

B’nai Tikvah’s tireless volunteers and renowned world travelers!

Thank you for all that you do for our community Let the journey continue With love, Marcia and Jeff Schwartz

Stone Pony Angel Sponsor

Mazel Tov to Renee & Steve on your Gala Honor

Lisa & Jeff Tannenbaum

Steve and Renee, what can we say

To compare you to a tree, your branches are wide They reach ‘round the Shul and touch every side.

From Sisterhoods board and serving on WAM, The Juros are working hard and part of the fam

Let’s not forget to mention the many years you’ve been on the gala committees, Without you the journal, the money tree and the lottery board would have been less.

Keeping this short is very hard to do, Especially with a dynamic duo like you

CBT is lucky to have you as legacy members May your fire to do good never lose its embers.

Our love and respect for all that you do.

Gale and Marc Dillman

Steve & Renee,

You are the most deserving of this honor. Thank you for your years and years of work and service to make our synagogue the place it is. You both work quietly with no fanfare just heart!

Enjoy this wonderful evening celebrating you…you earned it!!

Janice & Art Baer

Steve, we knew you when!

Congratulations to you and Renee,

Diane and Jordan Rosuck

Congratulations to Renee and Steve from Aunt Fran and Uncle Rich

Congratulations Renee and Steve!

Love Linda and Brian

Dear Renee & Steve,

Mazel Tov on this tremendous honor – so well deserved!! Both of you have provided many years of tireless dedication to CBT. We are honored to be your friends and join in recognizing your contributions, talents and amazing energy!! CONGRATULATIONS and much love, Ruth & Marty

Congratulations to Steve and Renee. We’re proud to join in celebrating the many contributions of the Juros.

Cheryl and Howard Hoffman

Celebrating renee & steve juro, whose unwavering dedication to our synagogue is a constant source of strength and inspiration.

The Board of Directors of Congregation

B’nai Tikvah

From one Renée and Steve to the other Renee and Steve: Mazel tov to a remarkable couple whose dedication strengthens our synagogue and inspires us all. Thank you so much for all that you do for CBT!

Renée and Steve Levin

Congratulations Renee & Steve! Such a well-deserved honor. Thanks for all you do. CBT is so fortunate to have you!

All the Best, Rose & Jeff Berger

Congratulations and Mazel Tov to Steve and Renee on a well- deserved honor at Bnai Tikvah! So sorry that we could not attend the Gala , but we're wishing you the best time ever!!

All Our Best- Allen and Nadine Weg

Congratulations on this well-deserved honor.

From, Dave, Farrah, and Evelyn Cukor

Thank you for dedication, hard work, and devotion to the shul, but mostly for your friendship.

Susan Miller

Congratulations, Renee and Steve, on a very well deserved honor. We are grateful for all that you do and for the friendship and heart that you bring to CBT.

With love, Keith and Tammy

Renee and Steve, Congratulations on this well-deserved achievement! Thank you for all that you do for our CBT Community. Your dedication is appreciated. Sincerely, Elisa and Brian Berness and Family

Dear Renee, Steve, Matthew and David,

Congratulations on receiving this well deserved honor. Our family is so proud of your commitment to the Jewish Community. Mom, Pop, Benji and Stephen would be "kvelling!"

Love Pam, Scott, Melissa, Ryan, Stacey, Stephanie, Joe, Bella, Austin and Bradley

Congratulations Renee & Steve on this well deserved recognition. Your dedication to Congregation B’nai Tikvah is truly inspiring and outstanding. With love and gratitude Joyce & Joel Gerbman.

Congratulations and Mazel Tov to Steve and Renee on a well- deserved honor at Bnai Tikvah! So sorry that we could not attend the Gala , but we're wishing you the best time ever!!

All Our Best- Allen and Nadine Weg

Honoring Steve and Renee Juro for their dedication and service to our synagogue. Their commitment strengthens our community, supports our traditions, and inspires others to give generously of time and talents. With gratitude, we recognize their lasting impact.

- Shelly and Steve Talmud

TO RENEE AND STEVE

THANK YOU FOR YOUR YEARS OF DEDICATION AND SERVICE TO CBT. IT IS TRULY APPRECIATED. THE WESALO’S

Mazel Tov!! Your commitment to everything CBT is second to none. Your kindness and sweet demeanors are always welcoming. We are grateful for all that you’ve helped accomplish over many years.

Love, Andrea & Steve Katz

Renee and Steve - Mazel Tov. The honor is well deserved.

Michele and Dave Greenfield

Mazel Tov to Renee and Steve for their efforts, commitment, and enthusiasm to CBT!

Lisa and Gary Warner

Mazel tov Steve & Renee!

Kol Hakavod on being honored for your service to CBT. May you go from Strength to Strength!

Marshall & Teresa Samtur

A well deserved honor!

Cheryl and Myron Asnis

Congratulations to Renee and Steve for your exemplary service to our synagogue. Your thoughtfulness, leadership, and unwavering commitment make our congregation stronger every day. We are so grateful to call you our friends. Jon and Lori Sookerman

Renee and Steve, we’re so thankful for the time and care you’ve given to B’nai Tikvah. Your commitment has meant a great deal to us as friends and to the community you’ve supported so generously.

Michele and Randy Sherman

Volunteer: someone who freely offers their time, skills and labor to help others or a cause, without expecting payment or being forced, often for civic, charitable or humanitarian reason. ie. Renee & Steve Juro Thanx for all you do. Joyce & Gerald Fishelberg

Steve & Renee,

Thank you for all you do! You ongoing commitment to our community through all of your volunteer work is truly inspirational!

Marc & Rochelle Rosen

Renee & Steve

CONGRATULATIONS on this well deserved recognition for all you do at CBT! All the very best to you as you shine in the Limelight and dance the night away! From, Lynn & Arthur Biderman

Wehope youhad a greattime!Get home safelyand hopeto

see you soon!