There is a Hasidic saying, "When passion burns within you, remember that it was given to you for a good purpose."  Eric Weis quietly utilizes his passion to focus on the courage of his convictions, which makes us fortunate to have him as a member of Shomrei Torah.

In 1981, Eric and his wife Fern came to Wayne from Clifton.  He chose Shomrei Torah, as the sitting Rabbi, Jeffrey Segelman, was a personal friend.  Following in the footsteps of his father and father-in-law, he immersed himself in our congregation, beginning with joining its Men's Club as treasurer, managing the building, re-engineering the wet basement, re-designing the sukkah, co-chairing the capital campaign and serving on the Executive Board as a trustee and vice president.

Eric has been President of Shomrei Torah's Men's Club multiple times and has served as President of the New Jersey of the Federation of Jewish Men's Clubs (FJMC). He is a member of FJMC's board of directors and has previously chaired its national Yom HaShoah Yellow Candle campaign.

On the local level, Eric created the "Sushi and Sake in the Sukkah" program, and he lists Sukkot as the holiday he loves most.  It pleases him that the evening brings together many of our members and their families.  Because singing is one of Eric's happiest things to do, he sang in the Federation Jewish Men's Club Choir and, in addition, is taking on an important role in their Sefer Haftarah program.
Recently, Eric was named to serve on the national board of Mercaz, the Movement to re-affirm Conservative Zionism.  He has attended a number of Mercaz and Masorti events, and was recently invited to serve as a member delegate to the American Zionist Movement Biennial Assembly.  One of these days, he may be able to participate in a World Zionist Congress.

Eric's life and work experience have taken him all over the world.  He worked for the National Weather Service and lived in the Canadian High Arctic.  After graduating from Bowdoin College with degrees in Economics and Physics, he became the International Sales Manager for a leading manufacturer of nuclear materials and equipment.

In 1976, Eric visited Israel for the first time on a business trip to Jerusalem.  We can only conjecture that that was where his passion for Israel and her people began.  Although we might add that his father was involved with Israel when Eric was a child.  Speaking of his father, Eric was reminded that he chanted the Yom Kippur Haftarah, Maftir Jonah.  Many years later, at an 80th birthday celebration, Eric presented his father with a dedicated Jonah haftarah scroll.  His father proudly declared that it was the best gift that he had ever received.

On a personal note, Fern and Eric have been married for almost 32 years.  Sarah, their daughter, age 23, recently made aliyah and lives in Jerusalem.  Josh, their son, age 27, is a successful food and beverage manager and event planner.  Their dog, Goldie (named for the Golden Medina), has trained Eric well.  Eric is also a dedicated son, as he sees to the well-being of his own mother and Fern's wonderful mom as well.

In addition to singing, Eric plays the piano, enjoys ice skating, hockey (is a Devils season ticket holder) and loves to take photographs.  In the past, he took pictures for a newspaper and taught photography while serving as a Boy Scout leader.  His favorite photographer is Ansel Adams.  Jewish literature, science fiction and poetry are what takes up some of the time of this avid reader.  His love for Shakespeare was proven by his appearance in many plays in high school and college.

Presently, Eric is a member of the Ritual Committee and chairman of the Israel Connection at Shomrei Torah.  Often he can be seen at Shabbat Services and at minyanim.  In the Ritual Committee, he is working on a new program called Yahrzeit Buddies which will help to bolser minyan attendance in our synagogue.

Eric puts boldness into everything he does.  He is a creative leader who gets along with people.
He is a GOOD man.
"Good men need no monuments; their deeds are their shrines." Mishne Shekalim5:2