Question 1: This is the second time during your member-ship tenure with Shomrei Torah that you have been asked to be Volunteer of the Month. What do you believe has changed such that you’ve been awarded this honor again?

Years ago, I approached many of my volunteer activities differently than I do today. Much of the work I did then was through my responsibilities as a member of certain committees, including the Board of Trustees. Now, I create opportunities to help, outside of the traditional committees, in areas that interest me. This approach has been very rewarding for me, and I believe beneficial to others in our congregation.

Question 2: How and from where did this originate?

Many at Shomrei Torah know me as Morah Beth. While that is a role I wholeheartedly cherish, it is not one that is volunteer. I am employed as a professional by Shomrei Torah, thanks to enormous support and grooming by Rabbi Mark. When I joined Shomrei Torah, (over 25 years ago) I could do little more in the Jewish world than read and write in Hebrew. As the daughter of a man who believed in equal rights for women way before it was fashion-able or acceptable, my father educated me within the parameters then afforded women within the Conservative movement. The moment the wearing of tallitot was approved, he presented me with the beautiful lace tallit I still wear today. That tallit means so much to me. Once my father passed, it symbolized all he wanted for me, the responsibilities it repre-sented, and what I had begun to want for myself. My desire to learn and become a peer of those able to lead any and all aspects of any service was enormous. My father had a rich beautiful voice which filled my childhood synagogue from the bimah and the pews. I wanted my legacy to be as meaningful as his. It was this pursuit, and the learning it entailed, which started me on the road to teaching. In attending services and speaking to people, I realized that there were many congregants who sat in services unable to connect with what was going on due to their inability to read Hebrew. So, after seeking permission, I began an adult Hebrew reading class. This was my first foray into volunteering outside of a committee structure, and I loved it. I was doing something meaningful for others, at a time convenient to myself, decisions were made with the class and Rabbi Mark. Since then I have volunteered to prepare a woman to become a bat mitzvah, and have volunteered to help many children and adults ready themselves to lead services, chant haftarot, and read from the Torah.

Question 3: Aside from teaching, you are known for the 3 Purim Shpiels you wrote and produced. Can you talk about that a bit?

One Saturday night about 6 years ago, I was at Shomrei Torah for Purim services. Rather than the spirited fun atmosphere that was supposed to accompany the holiday, the shul was empty. I’m not even sure we made a minyan that night. It was very disheartening. I told Rabbi Mark that I would do what I could to help change Purim at Shomrei Torah the following year. And, that is how “Hang on Hamen” (the first of the 3 Purim shpiels) began.

It took about 8 months to complete writing the play, during which time Jodi Kashmann and Steve Gastwirth joined me to help direct and produce the production, and at least 20 congregants agreed to join the cast. “Hang on Hamen” was a success in every way. It brought many in our Shomrei Torah community together, some for the first time, each with the goals of having fun and bringing the story of Purim to life. Lasting friendships began during the many rehearsals, some of which took place on dark snowy nights. That Purim, the cast filled Shomrei Torah with joy and song. Instead of an empty shul, we were packed to capacity. The final bonus, was the $15,000 NET we raised. “Hang on Hamen” was followed by “Esther’s Very Special Purim Party” and “The Hamen Blues”. Each play was more successful than the one before it in every respect.

Question 4: Outside of your work as Morah Beth, you spend a lot of volunteer hours with our youth. Can you talk about that a bit?

As you know, I lost my cherished sister, Amy (Aviva), just two years ago. She was the embodiment of life and joy. It was very important to me that I memorialize her in such a way that her name remain on everyone’s lips. And so, in her memory, I began Project Aviva, a program dedicated to bringing Jewish youth together using the medium of film to learn about and discuss the impact that Judaism has had on the world and our responsibility to mankind as Jews. I am very fortunate and grateful that Dassy Mark joined me as a partner in Project Aviva. Project Aviva is up and running and stable as a result of her devotion.

I know without question, that the Jewish People have no future without the dedication and commitment of our youth. While Dassy and I guide the direction of Project Aviva, it is driven and nurtured by Shomrei Torah’s youth: Josh Spodeck and Felicia Shechtman, with-out whom Project Aviva would have been nothing more than an unfulfilled idea, and Robyn Frankel and Leah Kressel who are working hard to completely take over the leadership one year from now

My latest project was done in conjunction with two Shomrei Torah religious school graduates, Josh Spodek and Isaac Gotian. Together we volunteered to run summer classes for our school’s oldest students, covering topics such as Famous Jews, Jewish contributions to the world, the Mossad, and Ethiopian Jewry, to name just a few. We covered topics out-side of our religious school curriculum. If success can be measure by attendance, we were very successful;.

Question 5: What would you like to say in summation?

I think it is a natural healthy human desire to impact the world in positive ways. Shomrei Torah and Rabbi Mark have given me the opportunity to do just that. We all have worthwhile ideas and untapped talents, that can be used to make our religious home and community a better place. I encourage people to take that “leap of faith”, try something new, and reach out to Rabbi Mark or Henry Ramer to discuss molding your ideas in ways that could benefit Shomrei Torah.