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October 2020 - David Kleinstein

I would like to express my genuine gratitude for the honor of being named Volunteer of the Month. First, I would like to say how happy I was to be able to help provide our members with a way to observe and enjoy the High Holidays during this crazy time.

I have had a love for electronics from a very young age, when I would take my toys apart to see how they worked. As I got a bit older, I discovered a love for audio/video and TV production. When I was in high school in Paramus, I ran the school’s weekly cable access TV show. After graduation, I attended the School of Visual Arts for Cinematography. Post-college, I did special effects for TV and movie production, and have been in the NY/NJ union for 20 years. While work-ing in the motion picture industry, I took the test to become a career firefighter and have been a Hackensack Firefighter for over 19 years.

Recently I embarked on a new business venture creating LED video walls, which has led me everywhere from China to Disneyland, where we developed our own Flexible LED panel for use in their new parades.

I am blessed to have an amazing family that not only supports me, but makes me so proud to see their own accomplishments. My wife, Smadar, whom many of you have known most of her life, is the most caring Physician’s Assistant (PA) and the best mother. Our daughter, Leah, recently did an outstanding job at her Bat Mitzvah. This is a reflection, not only of her dedication and talent, but is also indicative of the great teachers we have here at Shomrei Torah. Our son, Eli, is full of life and love. I’m not sure there is anything better than watching him follow me in my love for play-ing hockey. I am profoundly blessed and lucky to have them in my life.

I joined Shomei Torah when I moved to Wayne with Smadar. She had grown up at Shomrei Torah with her parents, Tova and Zev Friede and her siblings. For myself, coming from a Conservative Jewish upbringing in Paramus, I could not feel more at home at Shomrei Torah. Not only did Rabbi Mark marry Smadar and I, but he also officiated at Leah’s baby naming and Eli’s bris. The feeling of community I have at Shomrei Torah is beyond words.
 

Livestreaming for the High Holidays was not a solo effort. Several members helped with this effort. I would like to give a special thank you to Rabbi Mark, Justin Esgar, Ivan Gerstein, and of course, my family, for always supporting me!
V

OLUNTEER OF THE MONTH
DAVID KLEINSTEIN

Fri, March 29 2024 19 Adar II 5784