Born in Poland, the daughter of Holocaust survivors, Tova and her family made aliyah to Israel and settled on Kibbutz Alonim.  At age 18 she went into the army where she met her husband, Zev. Two of her three daughters, Smadar and Rotem, were born in Israel and in 1977, the young family moved to the States, where Keren was born a few years later.

Tova studied at William Paterson College and received an accounting degree. For many years she worked in West Orange for a pharmaceutical firm in many different capacities from controller to Chief Financial Officer. Retiring happily at the end of this month, she will stay on as a consultant.

In her spare time, Tova can be found at the gym or Israeli dancing. She loves reading and is especially fond of historical and autobiographical novels. As she states "I like reading about people's true life experiences. You learn that everyone faces adversity and that problems are not yours alone."

As Tova reminisced, she did not hesitate when asked who was most influential in her life. She stated unequivocally, "my mother." Her mother taught "by example." A Holocaust survivor, whose hearing was comprised during the war and struggled with learning a new language, she led by actions...not words. Tova and her four siblings were given a wise and exemplary example to follow.

For many years while her parents were alive, travel usually consisted of visits to Israel. In recent years, travel has been to Europe, Alaska and Costa Rica. Vacation time is also family time, when the entire

family, daughters, son-in-laws, and of course grandchildren enjoy treasured memories together in Mexico.

Tova and Zev have been members of Shomrei Torah for 28 years and finds the Conservative movement a comfortable balance between the Reform and Orthodox traditions. Tova has served the synagogue in many different capacities over the years and has generously given her time on the Board of Trustees and by chairing the Mitzvah Corp. She has participated in many fundraiser events, even serving as the gabbai when needed. Currently, Tova is our Sisterhood treasurer.

Family is, and always was, very important to Tova. Rotem lives with her husband and 3 children in Pennsylvania, and the youngest, Keren, is a lawyer while Smadar, her husband, David and two children, Leah and Eli Kleinstein, live close by in Wayne, representing the 3rd generation here at Shomrei Torah.

Looking toward the future and contemplating post retirement plans, Tova hopes to become more involved in financial committees and volunteer to GBDS as a Hebrew aide. As a personal goal, she would like to pursue a childhood interest and study painting.

In thinking about the future of Shomrei Torah, she wants our synagogue to become an even more open and welcoming place and that Shomrei Torah would relish new growth and new energy!