I moved to Wayne in 1980 and joined Shomrei Torah in 1982, two renovations ago. At that time, I was the Program Director of the YM-YWHA and the Director of Camp Veritans. Much has happened in the interim. I am now affiliated with Wells Fargo Advisors in Fairfield. I still live in Wayne, with my son Eric.

I grew up in the Inwood/Washington Heights area of Manhattan where I was involved with Congregation Ohav Shalom, a synagogue founded by German immigrants.
Shomrei Torah is an important part of my life as exemplified by my involvement. I have served on numerous committees, am a former Board Financial Secretary, and more recently I served as Co-President of the Men’s Club. The Men’s Club, a vital part of Shomrei Torah, runs many programs that benefit not only our synagogue, but the entire community. I have sung for children’s programs, spoken to the Hebrew School, and provided support to needy families.

I have been most heavily involved with our annual Blood Drive. This Blood Drive used to be an annual event, but with the pandemic there has been a need for more frequent drives. There are many businesses and schools that were unable to host their own blood drives so Shomrei Torah stepped up to the plate to fill the void. I like to remind our donors that while all mitzvahs are important, a blood donation takes on added importance because the donor and recipient do not know each other. It is especially gratifying to see the same donors support the drives year after year. Hopefully, we can get even more donors to perform this literally life-saving mitzvah. Donating blood was one of the very few events that had to be in person.

Shomrei Torah plays an important part of my life. With the worst of the pandemic behind us, and with services, blood drives, and other synagogue and community programs now revving up, it is good to once again connect in person.

Technology worked beautifully for us and society as a whole, but there is nothing like person to person contact.

I look forward to continuing my volunteer work long after I have the reserved Volun-teer of the Month parking spot.