annual meeting of temple sinai of roslyn
wednesday, may 15, 2024 • 7:00pm
lauryn berger
Temple Sinai is my Sinai because when we moved to Roslyn from NYC, Temple Sinai warmly welcomed our family into their community. Both my children, Josh and Casey, attended nursery school at Sinai. Every morning, I was confident knowing that I was dropping my children off at a nurturing and safe environment. This is where they began to learn about our Jewish culture and heritage. It is also where they developed their first friendships - which are still strong today. After graduating from nursery school, Josh and Casey continued on to Temple Sinai’s Religious School.
We have been members of the temple for over 10 years. We enjoy attending services and the many holiday celebrations. We have celebrated our own special milestones here as well. Thirteen years ago, we had Casey’s baby naming ceremony, and most recently, both Josh and Casey became B’nei Mitzvah. Each of these very special occasions gave us the opportunity to really get to know the Clergy. Rabbi White, Rabbi Schachter, and Cantors Sergei and Elena Schwartz all made us feel like family.
After graduating the University of Maryland, I worked in the Advertising and Marketing industry. In 2009, my husband, Michael, and I moved to Roslyn. Our two children are now teenagers - Josh is 16 and Casey is 14.
Temple Sinai is my Sinai because I love the sense of community I feel as a member of the congregation. My husband, David, and I first found Temple Sinai in 2015, when we were looking for a nursery school for our daughter, Esther. We immediately felt welcomed at Sinai and especially loved the monthly Sharing Shabbat program. Our son, Elliot, started at the Early Childhood Center a few years later in the twos program, and now, both Esther and Elliot attend the Religious School. I have been a member of Friend of a Friend since joining Temple Sinai and look forward to the yearly Women’s Seder with my mother and my daughter. David and I participated in the Shabbat Small Group Dinner Tribe, and I am a regular at the Saturday morning Minyan. I love the intergenerational friendships I have made through Sinai.
Growing up, Judaism was always a big part of my life and I want the same for my children. I went to Hebrew School three days a week and attended Saturday morning services weekly. I saw how important it was to my parents to be involved in our synagogue and I am thrilled to have the opportunity to deepen my connection to Temple Sinai and the congregation by serving on the Board.
I am a social worker at an outpatient addiction agency and have a private practice as well. I have been a vegetarian most of my life and enjoy boxing, thrifting, and country music.
lauren borkon
Temple Sinai is my Sinai because it provides my family with a sense of belonging, giving us a place to learn and celebrate, pray, and feel at home.
My husband, David, and I joined Temple Sinai in 2017. Our twin daughters, Alana and Molly, attended the Religious School and became B’not Mitzvah in the winter of 2021. They are actively involved in the Teen Program. It has been my honor to serve as a Trustee to the Board for the past three years, and I look forward to continuing in this role. I am a member of Temple Sinai’s Social Action committee, where we help support the members of our local community through acts of Tikkun Olam.
My hobbies include cooking, taking long walks with my dog, reading, traveling, and spending time with my wonderful family.
Temple Sinai, is my Sinai, because of the love and support it provides to my family and our Jewish community.
Growing up in Roslyn, I was lucky to belong to Temple Sinai, attend Hebrew School here and become a Bar Mitzvah. When my wife and I moved back to Long Island after living in the Washington, DC area for several years, we immediately joined Temple Sinai so our children could enjoy the same wonderful experience that I had.
In 2023, our daughter, Peyton, became a Bat Mitzvah and it was one of the most memorable and special experiences of our lives. Being able to share this milestone with friends, family, and the wonderful clergy further strengthened our bond and commitment to Temple Sinai.
Professionally, I own American Fire Restoration, a full-service emergency restoration company servicing the New York metro area. When I’m not working, you can find me either with my family, friends, or playing golf!
Temple Sinai is my Sinai because it is where I always feel a sense of belonging and acceptance. The clergy has been consistently warm and welcoming over the years. My husband, Jeff, and I have been proud members since 2010 and raised our three children at Temple Sinai. It is a place of support, love, and community. We’ve had the privilege of participating in many programs over the years, including the unforgettable Holocaust class taught by the Laskeys. We’re fortunate to have many close friends and family within the Temple Sinai community, and we feel incredibly grateful to call this place our home.
I am a graduate of Syracuse University and spent many years working as a financial analyst. I now enjoy being in business with my mother selling stationery, invitations, and personalized gifts.
Temple Sinai is my Sinai because for my family, its one of the foundations of our community and our lives. It is the place where we can learn, grow, help others, connect with our history and our Judaism, and connect with each other. I did not grow up belonging to a synagogue and Temple Sinai has shown me what a fulfilling experience it is.
My family became involved at Temple Sinai in 2020 when one of our daughters joined the Early Childhood Center. We were immediately impressed with the warmth and kindness we found there, and saw that this extended to the entire temple community. Since then, we have become involved in other aspects of Sinai and whether it’s with the Religious School, the ECC, celebrating holidays, helping our community, or just being together, I have found the more I am a part of at Sinai, the more I want to be a part of Sinai. Here my family has a true sense of belonging and support.
I am a Pediatric Oncologist specializing in solid tumors at Cohen Children’s Medical Center and love being able to care for children from our community and all over Long Island.
My husband, Jonathan, and I live in East Hills with our children, Zachary, Sasha, Hannah, and Talia. I love to run, read, get everyone to the table for Shabbat dinner, and once in a while, get to sleep in!
danielle massari
Temple Sinai is my Sinai because everyone treats you like family. It has become a place where my children are growing up and it feels welcoming and comfortable.
My family joined Temple Sinai in 2017 after we moved to Roslyn from New York City. I immediately became actively involved with the Early Childhood Center and feel passionate about the warm and nurturing environment they create for our children.
My two children, Brandon and Max, are alumni of the ECC. They both currently attend Harbor Hill Elementary School and are enrolled in Temple Sinai Religious School.
I am a teacher with degrees in Childhood Education, Special Education, and Instructional Technology. I currently teach nursery school in Port Washington. I also own a private tutoring company, Successful Students NYC, providing individualized support for students of all ages. We work with students throughout Long Island, New York City, and nationally.
I enjoy playing tennis, spending time with my family and friends, and traveling.
amy pepper
Temple Sinai is my Sinai because it has provided our family a place to learn, celebrate, and explore our Jewish faith. The warm and caring environment created by the clergy and staff makes Temple Sinai a place to go to for everything from scholarship to friendship and support; you always leave feeling better than when you came in.
I joined Temple Sinai in 1999. All three of our boys attended Religious School from kindergarten to their B’nei Mitzvah and through high school. I have been a member of the Religious School and Social Action Committees, and am a past Social Action Co-Chair.
jeffrey sklar
Temple Sinai is my Sinai because of the wonderful clergy and the sense of peace I feel when I walk into the sanctuary.
I started coming to Temple Sinai on the High Holy Days when I began dating my now wife, Kelly Grunther, who has been a member for over 20 years.
A tradition I shared with my father and uncle and family was that we always went to Yom Kippur closing services together, despite the fact we all belonged to different temples. Several years ago, after coming to Kelly’s son’s Bar Mitzvah, which happened to be one of Cantor Sergei’s first services, they met me at Temple Sinai and after the service, my father turned to me and said, “We’ve found our home.” Temple Sinai is a place where my family and I feel at home.
I am the Managing Partner of SHH&K, a regional CPA firm, and also the Managing Director of SHC Consulting Group, a firm specializing in anti-money laundering compliance, regulatory compliance, analysis, fraud and forensic services, and due diligence reports for private equity funds, hedge funds, and financial institutions. I am an avid golfer, sports enthusiast, and I enjoy traveling with Kelly.