Mazel tov to this year's honorees!
Volunteers of the Year Award:
Judy and David Kupferberg
Past President Award:
Stephen Solomon z”l
Young Leadership Award:
Leah Davidson
Tikkun Olam:
Abbie and Howard Halperin
Volunteers of the Year Award:
Judy and David Kupferberg
Past President Award:
Stephen Solomon z”l
Young Leadership Award:
Leah Davidson
Tikkun Olam:
Abbie and Howard Halperin
Judy and David Kupferberg
Volunteers of the Year
Judy and David’s involvement with our temple dates back to 1968 when they moved to Cranford. Together they started the Young Marrieds’ Group. David joined Men’s Club, where he participated in their bowling league and worked in the kitchen for numerous Thanksgiving children’s parties. Judy became active in the Sisterhood, working on numerous committees and served as VP and President from 1974-1976. Both have served on the Temple Board of Trustees, with David also serving as Financial Secretary for two years.
In September 2019, Judy and David expanded the WE CARE Outreach program and became co-chairs the following year, where they have worked to enhance programs and basic offerings to the senior members of the congregation. Recognizing the need to keep the congregation connected during the pandemic, they spearheaded several projects: delivering matzah during Passover, providing daily and festival prayer books and Tanachs to congregants who were attending services and classes on ZOOM. Along with the committee, they delivered machzors and meals for the High Holidays. They further expanded the Outreach program to include twenty volunteers who are in frequent contact with all age groups within the TBEMC family. Because of Covid-19, they revamped and managed the Misheberach and Mazol Tov Simcha lists, and they’re now the voices of the “dialer.” David was chosen as the Men’s Club Man of the Year in 2020 and now serves on their Board. Since 2020 Judy and David have been hosting and announcing evening services seven nights a week. They both serve on the Lifelong Learning and Personal Policy Committees. In recent years, both have also rejoined the TBEMC Board of Trustees.
Their volunteerism extends far beyond TBEMC. From 1973-78, David was the Cubmaster and Judy a den mother in Cranford Boy Scouts Cub Pack 174. In 1977, David became Chancellor Commander of Cranford Lodge 175 Knights of Pythias.
After David received a Cochlear implant, he and Judy began working as volunteer advisors, coaches, and mentors in the Cochlear organization and were recognized in 2018 with a “HEAR-O’s” award. They have successfully encouraged, advised, and mentored many candidates to undergo the cochlear implant procedure, enabling them to hear again. They have made numerous presentations at Cochlear events and stay connected with recipients as they progress along their “Hearing Journey.”
Both were born and raised in Jersey City. They married in August 1964. Judy and David founded Baker Scott & Co. in 1979, an international executive search firm specializing in telecommunications, which they operated until retiring in January 2020. When not volunteering, they love spending time with their family and are especially proud of their son Stephen, his wife Marcia, their grandsons Jacob and Andrew, and their son Louis, his wife Barbara, and their granddaughter Elizabeth.
Volunteers of the Year
Judy and David’s involvement with our temple dates back to 1968 when they moved to Cranford. Together they started the Young Marrieds’ Group. David joined Men’s Club, where he participated in their bowling league and worked in the kitchen for numerous Thanksgiving children’s parties. Judy became active in the Sisterhood, working on numerous committees and served as VP and President from 1974-1976. Both have served on the Temple Board of Trustees, with David also serving as Financial Secretary for two years.
In September 2019, Judy and David expanded the WE CARE Outreach program and became co-chairs the following year, where they have worked to enhance programs and basic offerings to the senior members of the congregation. Recognizing the need to keep the congregation connected during the pandemic, they spearheaded several projects: delivering matzah during Passover, providing daily and festival prayer books and Tanachs to congregants who were attending services and classes on ZOOM. Along with the committee, they delivered machzors and meals for the High Holidays. They further expanded the Outreach program to include twenty volunteers who are in frequent contact with all age groups within the TBEMC family. Because of Covid-19, they revamped and managed the Misheberach and Mazol Tov Simcha lists, and they’re now the voices of the “dialer.” David was chosen as the Men’s Club Man of the Year in 2020 and now serves on their Board. Since 2020 Judy and David have been hosting and announcing evening services seven nights a week. They both serve on the Lifelong Learning and Personal Policy Committees. In recent years, both have also rejoined the TBEMC Board of Trustees.
Their volunteerism extends far beyond TBEMC. From 1973-78, David was the Cubmaster and Judy a den mother in Cranford Boy Scouts Cub Pack 174. In 1977, David became Chancellor Commander of Cranford Lodge 175 Knights of Pythias.
After David received a Cochlear implant, he and Judy began working as volunteer advisors, coaches, and mentors in the Cochlear organization and were recognized in 2018 with a “HEAR-O’s” award. They have successfully encouraged, advised, and mentored many candidates to undergo the cochlear implant procedure, enabling them to hear again. They have made numerous presentations at Cochlear events and stay connected with recipients as they progress along their “Hearing Journey.”
Both were born and raised in Jersey City. They married in August 1964. Judy and David founded Baker Scott & Co. in 1979, an international executive search firm specializing in telecommunications, which they operated until retiring in January 2020. When not volunteering, they love spending time with their family and are especially proud of their son Stephen, his wife Marcia, their grandsons Jacob and Andrew, and their son Louis, his wife Barbara, and their granddaughter Elizabeth.
Leah Davidson
Young Leadership Award honoree
Leah joined TBEMC with her husband Ken and her two daughters, Jenny and Rayna, in 2013. She has been the co-chair of the Education Committee for four years, having been a committee member for three years prior, and she has also served on the Nominating Committee for several years.
Leah’s passion for helping children and their families realize the child’s potential and move past limitations helps shape her work at TBEMC and in her professional life. She is currently a Pediatric Occupational Therapist in the Ridgefield Park School system and has worked as an Occupational Therapist for almost twenty years. She graduated Magna Cum Laude from Boston University with a bachelors of science in Occupational Therapy and received a Masters of Health Sciences with a concentration in Pediatric Occupational Therapy from the University of Florida. In her free time, she loves to go on vacations with her family, and she enjoys dancing, going to the movies, and relaxing.
Young Leadership Award honoree
Leah joined TBEMC with her husband Ken and her two daughters, Jenny and Rayna, in 2013. She has been the co-chair of the Education Committee for four years, having been a committee member for three years prior, and she has also served on the Nominating Committee for several years.
Leah’s passion for helping children and their families realize the child’s potential and move past limitations helps shape her work at TBEMC and in her professional life. She is currently a Pediatric Occupational Therapist in the Ridgefield Park School system and has worked as an Occupational Therapist for almost twenty years. She graduated Magna Cum Laude from Boston University with a bachelors of science in Occupational Therapy and received a Masters of Health Sciences with a concentration in Pediatric Occupational Therapy from the University of Florida. In her free time, she loves to go on vacations with her family, and she enjoys dancing, going to the movies, and relaxing.
Stephen Solomon z”l
Past President Award
Stephen Solomon practically grew up in a temple watching his widowed mother work as a religious school secretary in one of the largest synagogues in Beverly Hills. The positives and negatives he witnessed first hand shaped his view of what a temple should be. When he was asked to serve as president of then Temple Beth-El in 1996, he wanted to raise our standards and set an example for others to be proud to follow. He envisioned an all-inclusive synagogue which was more like a family than an institution or business.
During his first year, it became apparent that Temple Beth-El needed an infusion of both members and funds to grow. He looked over the synagogues in the area to find the best match for us and reached out to Mekor Chayim. He continued to serve as president of combined Temple Beth-El Mekor Chayim through 1999.
Aside from the merger, he oversaw and led many wonderful initiatives for our synagogue. Stephen was honored to be president during the Jerusalem Ark dedication, which was the dream of David Springer and Charlie Colodner. He also introduced the Shiva Meal program, which brought temple-funded meals to houses in mourning. Stephen chaired the photo albums for the 75th, 60th, and 90th anniversaries. He was the chair for the 100th Anniversary, which was a yearlong celebration including many events and fundraisers. Stephen was known as a “Constitutional Expert” to many on the Board of Trustees and was often asked for guidance when making big decisions.
A member with his wife Sidney since 1978 (and later joined by his son BJ born in 1981 and daughter Jenny born in 1986), he served many other roles on the Board of Trustees, including Treasurer both before and after his presidency. He also chaired the Security Committee and was responsible for upgrading the alarm system, as well as putting panic buttons in the office, sanctuary, and school. While volunteering with United Synagogue, he was instrumental in creating a task force to counter Jews for Jesus, developing workshops and programs for Jewish students across New Jersey to be aware of the dangerous organization. Stephen also brought the temple into the performing arts when the TBEMC partnered with Cranford Repertory Theatre to produce community theater. As a producer, Stephen presented The Wizard of Oz, Grease, Oliver, West Side Story, and The King and I.
When Stephen was honored in 2003, he wrote this about his presidency: “The absolute highlight of my presidency was my daughter Jenny’s Bat Mitzvah. No event meant more to me than to see her take her place as a Jew. To sit with her on the Bima; to hand her the Torah; to watch her read Torah in front of our family, our friends and our community. That was the most important day of my presidency.”
Stephen contracted Covid-19 on March 2, 2020 while attending a synagogue security meeting with United Synagogue in Bergen County and passed away on March 24, 2020. He served this Temple with passion and with wisdom. Stephen is missed by all who knew him and left a legacy that remains embedded in the DNA of TBEMC today.
shortly
Past President Award
Stephen Solomon practically grew up in a temple watching his widowed mother work as a religious school secretary in one of the largest synagogues in Beverly Hills. The positives and negatives he witnessed first hand shaped his view of what a temple should be. When he was asked to serve as president of then Temple Beth-El in 1996, he wanted to raise our standards and set an example for others to be proud to follow. He envisioned an all-inclusive synagogue which was more like a family than an institution or business.
During his first year, it became apparent that Temple Beth-El needed an infusion of both members and funds to grow. He looked over the synagogues in the area to find the best match for us and reached out to Mekor Chayim. He continued to serve as president of combined Temple Beth-El Mekor Chayim through 1999.
Aside from the merger, he oversaw and led many wonderful initiatives for our synagogue. Stephen was honored to be president during the Jerusalem Ark dedication, which was the dream of David Springer and Charlie Colodner. He also introduced the Shiva Meal program, which brought temple-funded meals to houses in mourning. Stephen chaired the photo albums for the 75th, 60th, and 90th anniversaries. He was the chair for the 100th Anniversary, which was a yearlong celebration including many events and fundraisers. Stephen was known as a “Constitutional Expert” to many on the Board of Trustees and was often asked for guidance when making big decisions.
A member with his wife Sidney since 1978 (and later joined by his son BJ born in 1981 and daughter Jenny born in 1986), he served many other roles on the Board of Trustees, including Treasurer both before and after his presidency. He also chaired the Security Committee and was responsible for upgrading the alarm system, as well as putting panic buttons in the office, sanctuary, and school. While volunteering with United Synagogue, he was instrumental in creating a task force to counter Jews for Jesus, developing workshops and programs for Jewish students across New Jersey to be aware of the dangerous organization. Stephen also brought the temple into the performing arts when the TBEMC partnered with Cranford Repertory Theatre to produce community theater. As a producer, Stephen presented The Wizard of Oz, Grease, Oliver, West Side Story, and The King and I.
When Stephen was honored in 2003, he wrote this about his presidency: “The absolute highlight of my presidency was my daughter Jenny’s Bat Mitzvah. No event meant more to me than to see her take her place as a Jew. To sit with her on the Bima; to hand her the Torah; to watch her read Torah in front of our family, our friends and our community. That was the most important day of my presidency.”
Stephen contracted Covid-19 on March 2, 2020 while attending a synagogue security meeting with United Synagogue in Bergen County and passed away on March 24, 2020. He served this Temple with passion and with wisdom. Stephen is missed by all who knew him and left a legacy that remains embedded in the DNA of TBEMC today.
shortly
Abbie and Howard Halperin
Tikkun Olam Award
The Halperins didn't just move to Cranford in 1970. They moved to Temple Beth El as a new home. Both New Jersey natives, Cranford was not only close to the trains and to work (Abbie was a public school educator in Elizabeth, Howard worked in information technology in NYC), but Abbie knew about TBE from USY.
At their first visit to TBE as a couple, Judy Kupferberg said hello and welcomed them. They realized that Judy went to high school in Jersey City with Howard. It did not take long for the Halperins to get involved. Abbie joined the Sisterhood board, at some point holding each of the Sisterhood leadership positions, including president. As Sisterhood president, Abbie is most proud of buying the piano used in temple shows and in the Hebrew school. Since the Baldwin piano had wheels, it could be moved around as needed.
Abbie then joined the TBE board, becoming the first woman president in 1987. She faced pushback as a pioneer in bringing women into temple leadership positions, but her people skills helped her succeed. She was proud to pave the way for other women leaders at the shul, while being a good role model for the girls. She also kvelled at being called “Ima on the Bima” by everyone at shul. After serving as president for two years, Abbie has remained active as a past president on the board and serving on many committees.
Abbie loved her work as an educator at Solomon Schechter, which she translated into stewardship of the temple library, which she considers a personal dream. With COVID hopefully turning into endemic status, she looks forward to reopening the library. Abbie has worked on multiple galas and fundraisers, saying there's no better way to make friends. And she has chaired the Lifelong Learning committee as well.
While Howard is not often in the spotlight, he has been a positive force at the temple behind the scenes. Part of that is supporting Abbie, which allows her to contribute fully. And part is in his own right, helping out when needed, like building the sukkah. Howard was Men's Club president in the mid-1980s, at the same time that their daughter Rachel was USY president, a board position at the time. Sometimes the entire Halperin family would be at temple board meetings together.
Howard remains active in real estate management. Daughter Rachel Halperin-Zibelman and her husband Jay Zibelman live in Westport, CT. Rachel is a wine consultant, and Jay is self-employed.
The Halperins have been generous financial supporters of TBE and later TBEMC, with a goal of keeping the synagogue doors open for years to come. They look forward to welcoming the younger generations into these leadership positions as well.
Tikkun Olam Award
The Halperins didn't just move to Cranford in 1970. They moved to Temple Beth El as a new home. Both New Jersey natives, Cranford was not only close to the trains and to work (Abbie was a public school educator in Elizabeth, Howard worked in information technology in NYC), but Abbie knew about TBE from USY.
At their first visit to TBE as a couple, Judy Kupferberg said hello and welcomed them. They realized that Judy went to high school in Jersey City with Howard. It did not take long for the Halperins to get involved. Abbie joined the Sisterhood board, at some point holding each of the Sisterhood leadership positions, including president. As Sisterhood president, Abbie is most proud of buying the piano used in temple shows and in the Hebrew school. Since the Baldwin piano had wheels, it could be moved around as needed.
Abbie then joined the TBE board, becoming the first woman president in 1987. She faced pushback as a pioneer in bringing women into temple leadership positions, but her people skills helped her succeed. She was proud to pave the way for other women leaders at the shul, while being a good role model for the girls. She also kvelled at being called “Ima on the Bima” by everyone at shul. After serving as president for two years, Abbie has remained active as a past president on the board and serving on many committees.
Abbie loved her work as an educator at Solomon Schechter, which she translated into stewardship of the temple library, which she considers a personal dream. With COVID hopefully turning into endemic status, she looks forward to reopening the library. Abbie has worked on multiple galas and fundraisers, saying there's no better way to make friends. And she has chaired the Lifelong Learning committee as well.
While Howard is not often in the spotlight, he has been a positive force at the temple behind the scenes. Part of that is supporting Abbie, which allows her to contribute fully. And part is in his own right, helping out when needed, like building the sukkah. Howard was Men's Club president in the mid-1980s, at the same time that their daughter Rachel was USY president, a board position at the time. Sometimes the entire Halperin family would be at temple board meetings together.
Howard remains active in real estate management. Daughter Rachel Halperin-Zibelman and her husband Jay Zibelman live in Westport, CT. Rachel is a wine consultant, and Jay is self-employed.
The Halperins have been generous financial supporters of TBE and later TBEMC, with a goal of keeping the synagogue doors open for years to come. They look forward to welcoming the younger generations into these leadership positions as well.
