Temple Sinai is my Sinai, even though we no longer live in Roslyn. It is a deliberate choice because we believe in the values of Torah, Tikkun Olam, Zionism and the Reform movement which Temple Sinai embodies.
My wife, Karen, and I joined in 2019, just before Covid. However, for the months prior to the shutdown, I came to the Saturday Morning Minyan, we attended Friday night services, and I became active in the Brotherhood. Then we got to participate on ZOOM. Since then, I have been “Chief” of Temple Sinai’s Photography Tribe.
Previously, we were members of Temple Beth Sholom, where I held several executive positions and was president of the Men’s Club.
My background is quite varied. I was in the Merchant Marines, went to grad school for Atmospheric Science, and spent many years in the insurance industry before spending many more years managing office buildings in Manhattan. Today, I am a photographer, primarily shooting homes for real estate listings.
We have been blessed that our three daughters and our four grandchildren have been able to join us here on the High Holy Days and for other simchas.
Laurie Finkelstein
Temple Sinai is my Sinai because it is a place of joy, comfort, and peace. The saying the people make the place is so true at Temple Sinai. The clergy’s warm, welcoming, and supportive ways shape our experience as members.
I have been a member of Temple Sinai most of my life. When my family moved to Roslyn, I began attending Religious School at the age of 5, and grew up sharing holiday services and family milestones with Temple Sinai. When I moved back to Roslyn with my own family in 2005,we joined Temple Sinai. My daughter, Hallie (now 23) started in the early education program at age 3 and went on to become a Bat Mitzvah at Sinai in 2015, followed by son, Noah (now 20) in 2018. In addition to these milestones, I became a Bat Mitzvah at Temple Sinai in November 2025.
Temple Sinai has provided my family so much joy over the years, helping to celebrate these special moments with us as well as comforting us during more difficult times. I love being part of the Temple Sinai community, and attending Friday night and holiday services, are among my favorite parts of my family’s experience as members.
I graduated from the University of Pennsylvania in 1995, with a major in diplomatic history, and received my Juris Doctor from Brooklyn Law School in 1998. I worked as a litigation associate at Rosenman and Colin LLP, and then as an Assistant Corporation Counsel representing the City of New York in the Special Litigation Unit.
My hobbies include cooking, traveling, games, and spending time with my family and friends.
Jana
Grotas
Jana Grotas, along with her husband Aaron Grotas, son Logan, and daughter Reese, have been members of Temple Sinai since moving here from New York City in 2012. Both Logan and Reese were B’nei Mitzvoh and confirmed at Temple Sinai, and were/are very active in the teen program. Jana cochaired the annual Mitzvah Day toiletry drive for several years, including once alongside Logan. Reese participates actively in the Havdalah for Hunger program and on the Teen Board.
Jana received her Bachelor’s degree in psychology from Cornell University and her Psy.D. in organizational psychology from Rutgers Graduate School of Applied and Professional Psychology. She spent fifteen years as a talent management consultant at Personnel Decisions International (PDI), specializing in leadership assessment and executive coaching, followed by consulting at additional firms including Hogan Assessments and Korn Ferry International.
Jana joined the Board of Trustees in 2020 and the Executive Committee in 2025. In addition to the Mitzvah Day toiletry drives, she served as Co-Chair of the Religious School Committee, and led various HR and talent development initiatives as a member of the Board. She is currently the VP Liaison for the Teen and Youth Committee.
Jana loves travel, the beach, photography, writing, and walking her Goldendoodle, Charlie.
Jana feels honored and privileged to serve at Temple Sinai and looks forward to continuing to grow and learn from her fellow Trustees, the clergy, and the congregation.
Charlotte Hollander
Temple Sinai is my Sinai because from day one when we entered the Sanctuary for Shabbat services, Norm and I felt the warmth and embrace of both the congregants and the clergy.
Our first granddaughter was born while we were in the Purim Spiel in 2019. We celebrated her baby naming ceremony and our daughter and son-inlaw’s auf ruf in the Sanctuary.
We have been members of Sinai since 2015. I’ve been an active member of Adult Engagement. I’ve also enjoyed being involved with Friend of a Friend and have helped organize our Wine, Women, & Wisdom events for several years as well as other programs. I also ran a very successful, supportive Sinai Tribe focused on Grandparenting where we enjoyed sharing our joys and challenges.
On a personal level, my husband and I are blessed with two beautiful children, their spouses, and three precious grandchildren: Shayna, Talia, and Alexander.
Professionally, I hold an MSW and worked in hospitals and outpatient psychiatric facilities and have a private practice. I also hold a School Administration degree and retired as a special education pre-school administrator. I am currently the chairperson of the Heath & Wellness Committee of The Transition Network, a national women’s organization.
In my free time I enjoy skiing, golf, and other sports, plus reading and traveling with my husband.
Norman Hollander
Temple Sinai is my Sinai because it is the most welcoming and the warmest synagogue my wife and I have ever been associated with. My wife, Charlotte, and I have been active members since 2015. My first association began when I joined the Community Choir, where I remain very active. Then, there was my first Purim Shpiel. Eleven Purim Shpiels later, I still enjoy every minute of it. I also became part of the Professional Choir, which sings during the High Holy Days. I was honored to be President of Brotherhood and to have a hand in continuing that organization’s commitment to serving Temple Sinai.
Charlotte and I have two children and three grandchildren, whom we adore. Professionally, I have been involved in the construction industry in the architectural metals scope of work. In my free time, I am a member of the North Shore Community Chorus as well as playing as much golf as possible, and reading when my spare time allows.
Maribeth Kraus Rebecca Lichten
Temple Sinai is my Sinai because it is a community whose clergy nourishes me spiritually and emotionally, where I am challenged intellectually, and where I feel welcome and at home.
My husband, Andy, and I joined Temple Sinai shortly after I converted to Judaism, and it has been our spiritual home ever since. I have served on several committees, most notably the 2021 Virtual Gala Committee, and have participated in many temple activities, especially those offered by Friend of a Friend.
Professionally, I have an M.A. in Social and Organizational Behavior, am a Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) and an Associate Certified Coach. After a career as the Director of Convention Programs for the Modern Language Association, I am currently a meetings and event specialist/consultant for small- to mid-sized non-profits through my business, MB Kraus Solutions, LLC.
I am a wife and a mom and enjoy many activities with my husband, son, daughter-in-law, and their adorable puppy, Willoughby.
Temple Sinai is my Sinai because, having grown up at Temple Sinai, I have always felt connected to my community and my faith here. When I moved back to Roslyn with my family almost 11 years ago, my son entered the preschool program and my family has remained actively involved with the Temple ever since. My son became a Bar Mitzvah last May and remains active in our Teen programs, including joining the SORTY Board next year. My daughter is currently enrolled in Religious School and looking forward to her Bat Mitzvah in 2028. I couldn’t be more thrilled to raise my children at Sinai.
I am a graduate of Cardozo Law School, with close to 25 years of insurance and employment law experience. I am currently a Claims Director at Nationwide Insurance, where I lead a team of attorneys specializing in employment practice liability. I have been a member of the Temple Sinai HR Committee, which enabled me to utilize my professional skills to assist the temple’s leadership, and I continue to lend professional advice and support in that regard.
I have also recently joined the Teen and Youth Engagement and Religious School committees and I am steadfastly dedicated to ensuring the continued education and commitment of our youth to Judaism.
I am excited for this opportunity to make a meaningful contribution to the temple’s continued success.
Scott Nussbaum Adam Weinschel
I appreciate the warm, welcoming, and approachable Jewish community created by the clergy and staff at Temple Sinai. Growing up in a Jewish-by-tradition-but-barely-by-faith household in Southern California, the synagogue I belonged to had no cantor, and my Bar Mitzvah took place in an industrial park. While I’ve always held a strong sense of Jewish values and customary traditions, I hadn’t lived in, or been part of, a traditional Jewish community until Temple Sinai. To me, religion binds generations together through a common history, shared traditions, and foundational values. Temple Sinai proudly supports, honors, and reinforces these goals.
My wife, Emily, and I have two daughters who attended Temple Sinai’s ECC and became B’not Mitzvah here at Temple Sinai. I’m honored and humbled to be part of the Temple Sinai Board of Trustees and doing what I can to support the people and the institution that are so important to our community.
Temple Sinai has always been an integral part of my life, starting when my parents joined the congregation in the 1970s and enrolled me in the Nursery School. Attending Religious School through Confirmation played a significant role in shaping my Jewish identity. My wife, Leah, and I celebrated our auf ruf at Sinai, followed by baby namings years later. Our children attended the Early Childhood Center and Religious School, and became B’nei Mitzvah on the same bimah where my siblings and I once stood. Three generations of Weinschels have been immersed in Temple Sinai for over 50 years. For us, it is a place of family, community, and a deep love of Judaism.
Professionally, I am a Managing Director of Institutional Investor Services at a law firm specializing in recovering funds for shareholders harmed by securities fraud. My role involves strategic planning, client engagement, navigating business challenges, and supervising teams of analysts. I pride myself on strong problemsolving skills beyond the office.
My hobbies include crossword puzzles, cooking, tennis, and joining Leah in her passion for gardening.
