2022 Annual Report

THE POWER OF PLACE 2022 Annual Report

A Note from Our City Council Member Kenzie Bok

“I am so proud and excited to have The Vilna, Boston’s oldest Jewish building, in my district. As a tangible landmark of the Jewish and immigrant history of Beacon Hill and the West End, it provides such an important opportunity for community storytelling. I’m very engaged in efforts to tell the story of how Boston has always been a city of immigrants -- and the Lithuanian Jews who built The Vilna are a key piece of that tapestry.”

- Councilor Kenzie Bok

MORE THAN JUST A landmark Our VISION

The Vilna is the fulcrum for Jewish culture and engagement in downtown Boston. We celebrate Jewish culture, heritage, and values through arts and entertainment, holiday celebrations, and adult learning. Through concerts, author talks, film screenings, arts exhibits, museum tours, adult learning and more, The Vilna gives voice and meaning to the histories and experiences of Boston’s immigrants and newcomers.

18 Phillips Street | Boston, MA 02114

617-523-2324 | info@vilnashul.org vilnashul.org

STAFF

Dalit Ballen Horn, Executive Director

Stephanie Davis, Operations Coordinator

Christen Hazel, Director of Development

Geo Poor, Director of Operations & Finance

Olga Ryrakhovsky, Programs, Partnerships & Engagement Manager

Elyse Winick, Director of Arts & Culture

CREDITS

Design/Layout:

Nicole Pollack

Photography:

Justin Knight Photography

Kayana Szymczak Photography

George Martell Photo Journalist

On the cover:

Performing live jazz for a crowd of over 50 young professionals, Berklee College of Music’s finest musicians fill the community room with festive sounds of the season during Sukkot. The College is named after Lee Berk, whose great-grandfather, Meyer Tirk, was a founding member of The Vilna Association in 1888.

2022 BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Robert Thurer, President

Natty Hoffman, Vice President

Amy McKeag, Vice President

Daniel Kurzberg, Treasurer

Noah Schlesinger, Clerk

Susan Benjamin

Deborah Feinstein

Pam Friedman

Jeff Karp

Rebecca Kotkin

Debbie Kurinsky

Brian Lester

Marilyn Okonow

Wendy Perlman

Michael Price

Adam Samansky

Mike Samuels

Judy Shapiro

Julie Somers

Zach Wainwright

Gilbert Winn

Karen Winn

PRESIDENT EMERITI

Deborah B. Cohen

David Glater

Evvajean Mintz

Lee B. Silverman

Myles D. Striar

Jack Swartz

Richard S. Usen, z”l

DIRECTOR EMERITUS

Maxine Goldberg

Joseph Grabowski, z”l

Eileen Samuels

Stanley M. Smith

Sandy Swartz

Celebrating the completion of Phase I of the recent “From Hidden Gem to Rising Star” Capital Campaign, guests marvel at the vivid colors of the 10-foot stained glass window and warm yellow walls, echoed in the Hyman Bloom (American, 1913-2009) painting titled, “Rabbi with Torah.” Bloom gifted this work to The Vilna in memory of his parents who worshipped at The Vilna Shul 100 years ago.

We’re pleased and proud to welcome you to our 2022 Annual Report and share the highlights of our exceptional year.

This year we welcomed thousands of people to The Vilna for concerts, author talks, film screenings, art exhibits, museum tours, holiday celebrations through a cultural lens, adult learning and more. Musical highlights included our annual Voices of Humanity and Hanukkah a cappella concerts as well as Convivium Musicum’s afternoon of Renaissance music, and jazz nights in partnership with Berklee College of Music. Havurah on the Hill, our signature program for young professionals, resumed Friday evening events with a Hanukkah Latkepalooza as well as a fireside chat with local artists.

Dear friends of THE VILNA KEY HIGHLIGHTS

We launched a new holiday initiative entitled, Sukkot on the Hill: Making Something Old, New. This holiday celebration honored the 50th anniversary of New York City’s “Sukkah in the Sky” along with an exciting discussion between Boston’s Museum Of Fine Arts Director Matthew Teitelbaum and visual artist Caron Tabb who designed the inaugural sukkah installation on our patio plaza.

As a prelude to the restoration of our historic sanctuary, we restored the second-floor vestibule and uncovered a second mural. To support our growing organization, we added a Director of Operations & Finance and Director of Arts & Culture.

What a year! Thank you to all of our donors, volunteers and exceptional professional staff for all of their contributions to our success.

With gratitude

Dalit Horn Executive Director Bob Thurer Board President

Rebooted our signature young adult engagement program, Havurah on the Hill, a monthly Friday night Shabbat experience.

Reopened our doors to thousands of people for concerts, author talks, art exhibits, holiday celebrations, historic tours, private event rentals and more.

Dear Friends,

Like many organizations, these past few years were unprecedented in the life of The Vilna. And yet, our story is one of extraordinary determination and growth.

As I reflect back on these past few years, currently serving as a Board member on the Executive Committee and Chair of Development, I find myself focusing on what we accomplished DESPITE the pandemic. The Vilna not only survived but thrived. We proved ourselves to be nimble and creative. In March 2019, I accepted the position of Board President in anticipation of welcoming everyone back into our newly renovated building and celebrating our 100th anniversary in May 2019. Our historic building had been closed for construction for a year and a half and we were eager to resume programming in our newly renovated spaces. Fast forward to 2021, and I never could have predicted that by the time my third year as Board President arrived, we had already endured almost a year of the pandemic, few people were vaccinated, and our building remained closed.

Today, we are open! It has truly been an honor to serve The Vilna. I know that I will look back with a sense of pride for what we accomplished and will remain grateful for the friends, donors, and supporters I have been privileged to work with along the way. Looking ahead, and with your continued generosity, the future promises to be even brighter. With gratitude,

Awarded prestigious Signature Grant from The Covenant Foundation for a new adult educational initiative entitled, Centered on Culture: Jewish Learning through the Arts.

Grew our staff and added our first Director of Arts & Culture.

Marilyn Okonow | Chair, Development Committee President, Board of Directors, 2019-2021

Completed the restoration of our second floor vestibule.

In 2022, we generated a surplus budget to prepare for several multi-year strategic investments. Beginning in 2023, we will launch a strategic planning process, generate a new marketing strategy, expand our programming, and plan for the restoration of the historic sanctuary.

Strategic Planning: Marketing and Brand Repositioning

“I am excited to be at a point in the life of the Vilna where we are revisiting and refining our mission, vision and intended impact. Leading the process to gain that strategic clarity is particularly important to me because of what the outcome of the process then leads to-- clear resource prioritization, exciting possibilities for marketing, new partnerships and vibrant programming that meets our consumers’ needs.”

– Amy McKeag, Chair, Strategy & Impact Committee and Vice President, Board of Directors

Historic Preservation: Patio Plaza Restoration

“We are grateful to the City of Boston and the Henderson Foundation for supporting this key restoration project. When the patio plaza has been properly restored, The Vilna will be able to offer more programming outdoors while preserving and enhancing the beauty and integrity of the exterior space and improving security measures within our historic building.”

– Jim Kutchin, Chair, Facilities, Security, and IT Committee

Adult Learning: Education through a Cultural Lens

“This initiative is a cutting edge response to the current landscape of the Jewish community. We shouldn’t think declining affiliation rates mean people aren’t interested in their Jewishness. They are just looking for more resonant ways to connect. The Vilna is the perfect answer, in terms of both the quality of our content and our geography. It’s a privilege to be part of something so exciting, knowing it will make a difference for so many.”

– Elyse Winick, Director of Arts & Culture

CITY OF BOSTON

The Vilna was honored to receive prestigious grant awards from foundations and the city of Boston to advance key priorities.

“In today’s world we need new forums and venues for Jews of all ages to gather—physically and virtually—to celebrate, debate and activate our rich Jewish culture. The Vilna is the spot for that in Boston. Thanks to the incredible leadership team who are making it happen. Onward and upward!”

- Shira Goodman, Chair, CJP of Boston and Advisory Director, Charlesbank Capital Partners

The Vilna is grateful for the generosity of all individuals, corporations, and foundations and we are honored to recognize gifts of $180 or more.

$50,000+

Anonymous (2 Donors)

Brenda and Stephane Bancel

$25,000-$49,999

Barbara and Michael Eisenson

Lizbeth and George Krupp

Simon B. Gottlieb Charitable Foundation*

Alan G. Dana

Myer R. Dana

$18,000-$24,999

Anonymous (1 Donor)

Diane and Neil Exter

Marilyn and Dale Okonow

The Sager Family

Shari and Robert Thurer

$10,000-$17,999

Judi and Larry Bohn

Anne Bromer*

Elisa Entine

Deborah and Ron Feinstein

Linda and Michael Frieze

Rebecca Kotkin and Don Steinberg

Debbie and Geoffrey Kurinsky

Lay Lee Ong

Wendy Perlman and Peter Antoszyk

Nicole Zatlyn and Jason Weiner**

Ilana Braun and Jed Weiss

Karen and Gilbert Winn

$5,000-$9,999

Kathy and Michael Azeez

BasisTech

Brittany Greenfield

Gary Greenfield

Natty and Carl Hoffman

Jill and Jeff Karp

Judy and Steve Kaye

Marcia and Alan Leifer

Shirah Rosin and Brian Lester

Wendy and Michael Price

PricewaterhouseCoopers

Katarzyna and David Schwarzman

Sandy and Jack Swartz

Karen Teller

The Beker Foundation

Elaine and Alan Weiler

$1,800-$4,999

Anonymous (1 Donor)*

Anonymous (1 Donor)

Jane Adolph and Bill Poznik

Susan and Aron Ain

Eleanor and Walter Angoff

Susan and Cary Benjamin

Marjorie Gad and Daniel Bley

Judith R. Cutter

Diane Epstein

Rachel and David Fine

Maxine Goldberg

Sharon and Steven Goldstein

Larry Green

Beth and Larry Greenberg

Abigail Fierman and Michael Grossman

Louis Grossman and Amy Gerson

Christen and Thomas Hazel

Varda and Marvin Konstam

Levine Chapels

Amy and Mark McKeag

Evvajean Mintz

Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky, and Popeo

Maxine B. Murnick

Jessica and Chuck Myers

Jonathan Plaut

Lia and William Poorvu

Adam Portnoy

Valerie and Larry Post

Suzanne Priebatsch

Caroline Reeves and Jim Lee

Emily and Adam Samansky

Michael Samuels

Barbara and Edward Scolnick

Judy Shapiro and Brian Nadler

Julie Somers and Mo Blaustein

Lynne Spencer

SSV Architects

Lisa and Neil Wallack

Deanna and Sidney Wolk

$1,000-$1,799

Peggy Lowenstein and Steve Berez

Leslie Donovan

Judith Engle Clifford

Lauren and Ken Handler

Lis Tarlow and Steve Kay

Josh Kraft

Elyse and Dan Kurzberg

Ellen and Barry Levine

Gloria and Laurence Lieberman

Patricia and Greg Mintz

Jeffrey Musman

Marianne and Kenneth Novack

Elizabeth and Stephen Rosen

Jo and Stanley Rutstein

Cara and Noah Schlesinger

Polly and Arnold Slavet

Jennifer and Seth Stier

Marissa and Zach Wainwright

Ed and Judi Zuker

$500-$999

AllianceBernstein

Dalit Ballen Horn and Daniel Horn

Carol and Kenneth Bello

Frann Bilus and Rick Feldman

Stella Bloom

Rhoda and Martin Bress

Dorothea and Sheldon Buckler

Cheryl and William Casper

Melissa and Michael Fox

Amy and Howard Goldman

John Houston and Katherine Read

Maurice Joffe

Claudia Davidoff and Joseph Kahan

Steven Kane

Rita J. and Stanley H. Kaplan Family Foundation

Heni Koenigsberg

Lisa Lebovitz

Susana Lopez and Douglas Levin

Sandra Y. Levine

Allegra Manacher and Curt Kohlberg

Mary Marshall

Elaine and Nicholas Negroponte

Sue and Bernie Pucker

Families with young children sing, dance, and play their way into the new year with musician Evan Haller during Rosh Hashanah.

Barbara and Frank Resnek

Susan and David Rosen

Barbara and Peter Sidel

Hans Strauch

$180-$499

Anonymous ( 1 Donor)

Amy Baron and Tom Abrams

Mona Adler

Beryl Arbit

Jessica and David Aronoff

Roberta and Richard Bauer

Jessica and Chris Bees

Diane and Fredrick Berk

Jonathan Brolin

Betsy and Eric Cohen

Sharon E. Cohen

Katharine Cohen Black

Patricia A. Cook

Susan Corson

Kimberly and Gary Creem

Eden Properties

Adam Eisenberg

David Fechtor

Reva and Eric Fischman

Sophia and Avrum Freytsis

Pam and Clarence Friedman

Rumiya and Grigoriy Glazomitskiy

Susanne Richman and Darren Goldman

Ron and Elizabeth Goodman

Teri and Bruce Gorsky

Susan and Bill Hadge

Ross Honig

Honig & Associates, Inc.

Margaret Jacobson-Sive

Elizabeth and Dan Jick

Robert Kleinberg

Donna and Gerald Kramer

Joan Krizack

Rachel Lerner

David Levinson

Toby Axelrod and Larry Marks

Nancy and Craig Miller

Julie Nadal

Marsha and Loyd Pimperl

Gianfranco Pocobene

Beth Polasky

George and Ruth Rooks

Sandra and Alan Rosenbaum

Cynthia Rubin and David Rodgers

Ruth Langer and Jonathan D. Sarna

Robert Schaeffer and Debra

Rachel Shoicket

Ellen Shulman and Jay Perler

Josephine and Stanley Smith

Scott Solomon

Raymond Stephens

Myles Striar

Siri Striar and Francisco Hernandez

Liliane Sznycer and Abner Taub

Wendy M. Traynor

Elanah Uretsky

Andrea and Arthur Waldstein

Robin Weinberger

Ronald Weintraub

Arlene Weintraub

Laura and Kenneth Wernick

Candice and Howard Wolk

*For historic restoration

**For Lifesaver Speaker Series

Donors listed made commitments to The Vilna between January 1, 2022 and December 31, 2022. Every effort has been made to list people’s names properly. If you have any questions, please contact Christen Hazel, Director of Development at christen@vilnashul. org or 617-523-2324.

Small

Barbara Freedman Wand and Mitchell Wand

Teaming up with Repair the World and About Fresh, young professionals spend MLK Day at The Vilna learning about food injustice packing over 100 bags of fresh produce to donate to local communities in need.

“These days, it is easy to feel out of place, and The Vilna provides a home for Jewish learning and Jewish life. I've enjoyed every single program I've attended at The Vilna, and I look forward to what's next on the calendar, whether it's concerts, book discussions, or guest speakers.” -

Michael G., Program Participant

CAPITAL CAMPAIGN

From Hidden Gem to Rising Star

With the generosity of individuals, corporations, and foundations who supported our recent $4MM Capital Campaign, The Vilna is honored to recognize gifts of $5,000 or more.

$500,000+

City of Boston Community Preservation Fund

Deborah and Ron Feinstein

Richard and Evvajean Mintz and Family

The Rey Estate

$100,000-$499,999

Anonymous (1 Donor)

Mark E. Atkins

The Herman Dana Trust

Lauren and Ken Handler

The Klarman Family Foundation

Rebecca Kotkin and Don Steinberg

Robert K. Kraft

Debbie and Geoffrey Kurinsky

Marcia and Alan Leifer

Massachusetts Cultural Facilities Fund

Marilyn and Dale Okonow

The Sager Family

Donald Saunders

Roger Saunders

Rosalyn and Richard Slifka

Nicole Zatlyn and Jason Weiner

The Winn Family

$50,000-$99,999

Anonymous (1 Donor)

Richard, Victoria, & Samantha Bendetson

Susan and Bob Schechter

Robert and Shari Thurer

The Wolk Family

$25,000-$49,999

Susan and Aron Ain

Brudnick Family Fund

Matthew Budd and Rosalind Gorin

Don and Maxine Goldberg

Louis and Patti Grossman

Kyle and Douglass Karp

Jim and Peri Kutchin

Patricia and Greg Mintz

Wendy Perlman and Peter Antoszyk

Barbara and Ed Shapiro

Fran and Dennis Slutsky

The Swartz Family

Ilana Braun and Jed Weiss

$5,000-24,999

Peggy Lowenstein and Steve Berez

Susan Cohen and Michael Klein

Marla and Larry Curtis

Elisa Entine

Linda and Michael Frieze

Lisa and Abbot Gilman

Joe Grabowski and Janet Appel

Natty and Carl Hoffman

Jeffrey and Jill Karp

Josh Kraft

Jessica and Chuck Myers

Deborah and Mark Pasculano

Jonathan D. Plaut

Michael Putziger

David and Susan Rosen

Eileen and Stephen Samuels

Lisa Schneiderman and Gary Shub

Bram Shapiro

Lise and Myles Striar

Suzy and Herb Tobin

Larry Turka

Lisa and Neil Wallack

Rita and Adam J. Weiner

LEGACY SOCIETY

The Vilna is forever grateful for the support of individuals who have made arrangements to include The Vilna in their estate plans. Leaving a legacy helps to ensure that The Vilna thrives for generations to come.

Dorothea and Shelly Buckler

Patricia Cook

Deborah and Ron Feinstein

Leslie Friedman

Judith Klau

Heidi Meyer

Evvajean Mintz

Marilyn and Dale Okonow

Lay Lee Ong

Eileen and Stephen Samuels

Sandy and Jack Swartz

Karen Teller

Shari and Robert Thurer

Donors listed as giving to the recent Campaign made commitments to The Vilna between 2016 and 2022. Every effort has been made to list people’s names properly. If you have any questions, please contact Christen Hazel, Director of Development at christen@ vilnashul.org or 617-523-2324.

Friends of The Vilna gather for “Celebrating You,” a reception of gratitude.

Arthur Winn, descendant of Max and Esther Winisky, Vilna founding members c.1907, and immediate Past President Marilyn Okonow.

“Works of art, whether they are masterworks by artists such as Titian and Rembrandt or the mural decorations at The Vilna, have varying artistic purposes but they are all worthy of preservation.”

- Gianfranco Pocobene, Chief Paintings and Research Conservator, Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum

Campaign Co-Chair Deborah Feinstein and Executive Director Dalit Ballen Horn.

Board member emeriti Maxine Goldberg and Campaign Co-Chair Debbie Kurinsky.

Vilna Executive Director Dalit Ballen Horn, author Dara Horn, and CJP Chair Shira Goodman pose before the book discussion in our historic sanctuary.

Boston Community Gospel Choir singer performs at the 4th annual Voices of Humanity concert.

Author and Vilna Board member Karen Winn reads an excerpt from her recent novel, Our Little World Friends gather for an evening of learning.

IOWA Project

“I have learned from The Vilna Shul that I can have my bagel and eat it too. I enjoy the programming offered because I can pick my schmear, free to mix and match both cultural celebration and religious practice all the while in an environment that is both approachable and tolerant.”

- Richelle Gewertz, Volunteer Leader, Young Professional Programming

as Art Installation

Sukkot ON THE HILL

MAKING SOMETHING OLD, NEW

The ancient custom of building a temporary structure to commemorate the Israelites journey through the wilderness is among the most sensoryfilled and artistic expressions in Jewish tradition. On Sukkot, we grapple with contemporary paradigms of wandering, the impermanent nature of our world, our responsibility to safeguard and celebrate the land we inhabit, and the joy and nourishment it provides us.

In 2022, The Vilna hosted new and innovative programs to celebrate and experience Sukkot.

First Exhibit in Our New Space

Artist Caron Tabb builds a sukkah inspired by the seven species- wheat, barley, grape, fig, pomegranate, olive, and date.

Come to the Sukkah: An exhibit honoring the 50th anniversary of New York City’s “Sukkah in the Sky” inspires the community.

Sukkah

Private Tour with City Council

Beginning a new chapter of partnership and collaboration, the Boston City Council, members of Mayor Wu’s cabinet, and leaders in the Boston Jewish community gather for the first time to engage in meaningful conversation and tour our sukkah and historic building.

Gallery Talk

MFA Director Matthew Teitelbaum, visual artist Caron Tabb, and Vilna Executive Director Dalit Ballen Horn discuss the ways in which Jewish art has been a central text for identity formation and community building throughout Jewish history.

Honoring a Legacy

In 1972, real estate developer and philanthropist Jack D. Weiler atop his newest skyscraper, the W.R. Grace Building in New York. World leaders, business partners, family, and friends to celebrate the weeklong harvest holiday of Sukkot.

Friends

People gather for a book signing with Uri Scheft, an Israeli culinary icon and the founder of Boston’s newest Israeli-inspired bakery, Bakey following an author talk moderated by Dr. Shayna Weiss, a leading scholar of Israeli culture at Brandeis University.

catch up on the patio.

Board members Natty Hoffman and Karen Winn pose for an impromptu photo in our newly renovated community room.

An Urban Hub FOR JEWISH LIFE

ALAN AND MARCIA LEIFER

“100 years ago, our grandparents made the trek as youngsters from Russia to America. They were unable to complete an elementary school education and lived most of their lives in poverty and with limited choices.

Our parents also had limited choices. They came of age during depression and world war and during a time when many doors were shut to Jews in America. Elite colleges, the corporate ladder, country clubs, and neighborhoods were restricted. Holding onto Shabbat, holidays and kosher food came at the cost of restricting your job choices and your livelihood.

What a contrast to today.

The ability for a Jewish American to fulfill their human and Jewish aspirations is unprecedented in our 2000-year history.

Although we are not a family who shares the Boston Jewish immigrant story, we appreciate the importance of educating everyday Bostonians and tourists about the common refugee experience of the vast majority of American Jews in overcoming poverty and discrimination and joining our new neighbors to build a better America, free of the racism, xenophobia and antiSemitism that our grandparents faced every day.

We are excited by the possibility of a renovated Vilna Shul with restored folk art murals becoming Boston’s foremost Jewish cultural center and serving both as an educational and tourist center for Bostonians at large and a thriving center of Jewish life for the tens of thousands of Jewish millennials and Gen Z-ers that are making the Boston/Cambridge urban core their home.”

“We are excited by the possibility of a renovated Vilna Shul with restored folk art murals becoming Boston’s foremost Jewish cultural center...”

A Place to Share OUR HISTORY AND WELCOMING CULTURE

WENDY AND MICHAEL PRICE

WHY DOES THE VILNA MATTER TO YOU? WHY NOW?

We moved to the South End four years ago from the suburbs and were drawn to The Vilna as a Jewish Cultural Center because of the range of interesting, informative and fun programming. We also loved the historical connection to our ancestors who likely worshipped in a place just like The Vilna.

WHAT EXCITES YOU MOST ABOUT THE IMPORTANT WORK THAT THE VILNA DOES TODAY?

We love the idea of restoring a beautiful old building that holds so much history in the heart of Beacon Hill. It’s like a secret treasure that, once discovered, is hard to forget. Through the programming, The Vilna is bringing the Jewish community together and providing an opportunity to share our history and welcoming culture.

Before our daughter and son-in-law got married, they participated in an interfaith seminar at The Vilna— they loved it. As a Board member, Michael embraces all that The Vilna is about. Through participating, it reinforces our pride in our Jewish roots.

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR PERSONAL MISSION?

Be thankful and pay it forward.

WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO PASS ON TO FUTURE GENERATIONS?

Love what Judaism is about- history, heritage, cultural beauty, “do unto others”and be proud of who you are and where you have come from. You matter.

Did you know THAT JAZZ PLAYED A CRITICAL ROLE IN LITHUANIAN INDEPENDENCE?

www.vilnashul.org