April

Terri & Zach Oppenheimer

What first brought you to Temple Beth Sholom?
Zach:  I’ve been a member since 1985 which coincides with my move to Cherry Hill from Philadelphia. I’d heard great things about TBS, and decided to go to an open house. I immediately hit it off with then chairman of the membership committee, Alvin Stern. Here we are many years later.

Terri: Zach and I started dating in 2000, and I started attending services and events with him. I officially became a member around 2007, and we got married at TBS in 2013.

How have you become involved in synagogue life at TBS?
Zach: My involvement goes back to the late 1980s. At that time I had young children in preschool and Hebrew School, and wanted to get actively involved with the congregation. I first served on the Membership Committee. Having been a recent new member, I thought I could relate to their work and I enjoyed meeting new members and outreach events. One thing led to another and I was asked to sit on other committees including the Rabbis’ Search Committee way back when, and in a variety of different roles on other committees. I was President of Men’s Club in the early 1990s and was a board member for more than eight years. I’m also involved with morning minyan and have attended at least once a week for the last 20-some years. I don’t miss a Sunday morning unless we are out of the country or some similar reason.

Terri: Though I had attended services with Zach, my first real involvement began when we went on the second Eastern Europe trip with Rabbi Lindemann and Cantor Cohen. After that I was fortunate enough to be invited to SPL (Sulam for Purposeful Living), a short-term gathering and discussion group facilitated by Rabbi Lindemann, Joel Horowitz, and Debbie Perlman. It was a small group of us talking about being in the middle of life events, being close to retirement and finding new meaning in this phase of our lives. I also served on B’Emtza for a while, and now Zach and I are in the early stages of organizing a new group.

Please describe your favorite moment at TBS.
Zach: For me it was the Bar Mitzvah of my son, the Bat Mitzvah of my daughter, and our wedding in 2013.

Terri: My involvement with SPL was one of the highlights for me in my connection to TBS. It was a wonderful experience where I made meaningful connections.

What is one word you would use to describe TBS?
Haimish

Can you describe what you’ve been doing during the COVID-19 pandemic?
Terri: I was watching the morning news and saw that as part of the shortage of personal protective equipment, a hospital in Indiana was calling out to community members to sew masks. I have sewn since the seventh grade, and while most of my sewing in recent years has been Halloween costumes for our grandchildren, I knew I could make masks. I posted on the Woodcrest Neighborhood Group just looking for connections at the local hospitals to coordinate contributions, and when I posted I was met with a remarkable response from the community itself. I had volunteers before I even had recipients, and the whole thing snowballed from there. Last week marked the one-month anniversary of the inception of the program and on that date we had given out 3,500 masks. We’re up to 4,000 now. They’ve been distributed to local hospitals, inpatient and outpatient facilities, and to members of our local community who are vulnerable or immunocompromised. We were also able to facilitate the contribution of 240 N95 masks to Cooper. As much good as we’ve done for the recipients of the masks in terms of providing them with some level of protection, it has become very evident that the people who are volunteering really needed this as well. People keep telling me that this has given them purpose in a time that has become overwhelmingly chaotic and that it’s given them a sense of control and contribution, so it really turned out to be a remarkable thing. I’ve gotten a fair amount of attention I don’t think I deserve: the credit really goes to all of the people who rushed to volunteer and contribute, and who have been participating on a daily basis.

Zach: Terri is being very modest here. She does deserve tremendous credit not only for being a member of this group and investing countless hours in the middle of the night and around the clock as a worker, but like any organization, it takes amazing leadership and organizational skills to literally produce thousands of masks in a month and distribute them through a network that never existed before. So in addition to managing volunteers, coordinating materials, and addressing a huge challenge with logistics, the whole group deserves tremendous credit, but Terri deserves the recognition of her leadership as well as her contributions.

What are you both most looking forward to when we’re able to return to TBS?
Zach: Just the ability to see fellow congregants and also to engage with people we’ve been working with to develop this new group. I personally really miss Sunday morning minyan. I miss the comradery and ritual of that group and experience every week. For us it’s about being there every single week and being part of a community.

TBS is an important institution for us and we’re proud to be part of the congregation. We’ve never seen anything like the remarkable warmth, outreach, openness, and accessibility that TBS offers; it’s invaluable.

may

Hilary & Josh Zoppel

It was January 2015, I was very pregnant with baby #2, and had a very active 18-month-old who wanted to play... all. Day. Long. Being that we had just moved to Cherry Hill from Philly (transplanted from NY), we didn’t have many local friends with babies to have play dates with.

I knew it was time to look into preschool for our son, Samson. He needed more action and we needed to know he was going to have the best care. I called Ellen Berju at the ECEC at Temple Beth Sholom. I knew as soon as I met Ellen, I had found our new home.

Two kids and four years later, both of our boys are still enrolled at the ECEC and loving their experiences, just as they do year after year. They have grown leaps and bounds, and have made friendships that will last a lifetime.

Through the years we’ve gotten to know the staff at TBS, as well as so many of the amazing families. I’ve taken on some of the responsibilities of the HSA (Home and School Association), and currently co-chair the HSA in an effort to raise money for different programs in the ECEC.

We are so thankful for the opportunities given to us, and for the lifelong friendships my family and I have made. If it weren’t for the most incredible staff at TBS, YMG, Sisterhood, and all of the incredible organizations affiliated with TBS, consistently planning events to bring families together, we wouldn’t have made the friends that we have; some of our most cherished friends who are more like family now.

I have to say my favorite moment at TBS to date, was my youngest son Isaac’s first day of the January 2’s. I know what you’re thinking -- both kids off to school, Mommy is free! But that’s not it. Samson took Isaac’s hand in the parking lot of TBS, backpacks on their backs, ready to roll, and they headed for the double doors. I heard Samson say to Isaac what a fun day he was going to have on his first day of school. He was so excited to have his little brother at school with him. It was so sweet, and so special. And it happened at TBS, because of TBS.

My one word for TBS would have to be welcoming. It truly is a welcoming environment for both the adults as well as for the children.

My favorite food at TBS is Morah Harriet’s fresh baked pretzels (just one of her many specialties!)

march

Abbey & David Gancz

What first brought you to Temple Beth Sholom?
We first came to TBS in 2015 when we were preparing to move to Cherry Hill from South Philly. We were looking for a new shul and also a new early childhood center for our son Eliezer who was not yet a year old. We visited and initially were sold by the ECEC alone. Then once we started attending services and events, we felt so at home that we knew we had made the right decision.

How have you become involved in synagogue life at TBS? How would you encourage others to become involved?
We started out by going to Tot Shabbat, ECEC Shabbat services, and YMG events. We were becoming friendly with lots of the ECEC parents and loved that we could go to an activity where our son would enjoy himself but we could also socialize. Eventually Jen Green asked us both to join the YMG committee and we got involved with chairing some events. David loves helping with any type of food prep for Men’s Club. Abbey has enjoyed many Sisterhood events, especially Sisterhood Shabbat, and is happy to read Torah whenever Alvin needs a substitute.

We have found the culture at TBS to be very welcoming. We found ourselves getting involved just by showing up and being asked. There are so many ways to be active in synagogue life, too, so there is really a place for everyone.

Please describe your favorite moment at TBS.
A memorable moment for Abbey was during one Sisterhood Shabbat when members were sharing their experiences with breast cancer. It was a beautiful display of bonding and a community supporting one another, and to experience it on a Shabbat morning was very spiritual. David recalls feeling very moved when Rabbi Wexler shared from the bimah his and Becca’s journey with infertility. Both experiences let us know we were in place where people really care about one another and can be supported through happy and hard times.

What is one word you would use to describe TBS?
David: welcoming
Abbey: heymish

What is your favorite TBS food?
David: gefilte fish
Abbey: egg salad on a challah slice
Elie: challah

January

Debra & Avi Galler

What first brought you to Temple Beth Sholom?
We moved to Cherry Hill during the summer of 2017. We looked at several neighborhood synagogues, and our main concern was finding a really strong Hebrew school program for our kids. We were so impressed with TBS's education program and its leadership, and we felt so welcomed at the Shabbat services we attended that we knew we were making the right choice with TBS.

How have you become involved in synagogue life at TBS? How would you encourage others to become involved?
We were pleasantly surprised at how easy it is to become involved in synagogue life at TBS. We've found ways for all of our family members to be active community members! Avi enjoys Men's Club activities and recently spent several weeks attending Shir HaLev with Cantor Cohen in preparation for Josh Warshawsky's visit. Debra is on the Lifelong Learning Committee, volunteered to help with the Capitol Steps committee, and enjoys the Prayer 101 sessions with the rabbis. Judah, our son, loves the youth group activities, being in iShir, and attending Hebrew school. We're so excited that he will be reading Torah for the first time in January in celebration of his 9th birthday! Lily, our four-year-old daughter, just loves being at shul, especially Tot Shabbat services. It's so wonderful to feel like there are activities and places for us to be part of the community as a family but also as individuals. We grew up with different experiences of Judaism, and we both feel totally comfortable at TBS.

In terms of encouraging others to become involved, the key is really just showing up. The leadership is so strong and if you're there, they find you, get to know you, and help you find activities and ways to be involved. We started by simply attending Shabbat services as often as we could, and that's how we learned the range of options for getting involved and met people who connected us to different activities and committees.

Please describe your favorite moment at TBS.
On Judah's first day of Hebrew school, we went to the orientation as a family. We were all a little nervous. Alex Weinberg got up to give his presentation, and Lily, then just three, wandered up to the front of the room and stood next to him. We were mortified - we were this new family and our kid was interrupting the whole orientation! Alex simply smiled and said, "do you want to hold my hand?" Lily spent the entire presentation up there holding Alex's hand. It was like she knew that this was a place where she could be comfortable and just embraced that, and we all left feeling like that moment was a very good sign of what our life at TBS would be like.

What is one word you would use to describe TBS?
Welcoming

What is your favorite TBS food?
Judah: Chicken Fingers. Lily: Lox. Avi: Whitefish salad. Debra: Egg Salad.

November/December

Debbie & Howard Silverstone

What first brought you to Temple Beth Sholom?
Debbie’s parents, Evelyn and Jay Bradin, met and married at TBS in Haddon Heights. Debbie has been a TBS member literally her entire life. When it came time for Debbie and Howard to join a synagogue, TBS was the only choice!

How have you become involved in synagogue life at TBS? How would you encourage others to become involved?
Debbie and Howard share the philosophy that you get out of an organization what you put into it. Howard has chaired the budget committee and served on the Board of Directors and the Executive Committee. Debbie has served on the Preschool Board and has chaired the Religious School Board. She also has served on the Board of Directors, the Sisterhood Board and the Personnel Committee. Involvement in the synagogue makes TBS more of a home and allows you to form friendships with congregants and clergy that wouldn’t happen otherwise. Also, it is rewarding to be part of the process that keeps the synagogue thriving financially and socially.

How have you been involved in the community?
Howard was recently honored by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II by being made a Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (“MBE”). This honor was given in recognition for his service to British business in the U.S. Debbie and Howard, together with Jonathan, Alec and Emma recently attended his investiture ceremony at Buckingham Palace, where Howard received his award from Prince William.

Please describe your favorite moment at TBS.
There are too many to list, but two stand out. First, our wedding day. Having Rabbi Lewis marry us was so meaningful because of the amazing Rabbi he was and because he had been part of every life cycle event in Debbie’s life. Second, the b’nai mitzvot of our children. It was such an overwhelming feeling to see our children lead the service and read from the Torah in a sanctuary filled with family and friends. It was a real sense of L’Dor V’Dor.

What is one word you would use to describe TBS?
Warm

What is your favorite TBS food?
We love the egg salad after Shabbat services!

September

Melissa & Ted Landay

What first brought you to Temple Beth Sholom?
We first came to TBS for the religious school program. When our son, Justin, turned 7, we enrolled him in the program. Growing up in a temple that leaned more orthodox than conservative, we were also drawn to the egalitarian service. Seeing women read out of the Torah and stand on the bimah on a Saturday morning was such a welcome sight.

How have you become involved in synagogue life at TBS? How would you encourage others to become involved?
For the first 14 years of our membership, we did not participate in synagogue life outside of the religious school and high holidays. When I was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2015, Rabbi Peltz encouraged us to come along with the TBS Family Trip to Israel in 2016. The trip and the families who we traveled with really changed our perspective on TBS. Getting to know one another on such a spiritual journey is something that we never could have imagined. While most of the families knew each other from TBS or Kellman Brown, Ted, Jonathan and I were made to feel warm and welcome from day 1.

Since that trip, I joined the Business Advisory Council, the Rabbi Search Committee and last year, was invited to join the Board of Directors. Ted joined the men’s club as well.

Ted and I getting more involved also inspired my parents, Jay and Anita Garber, to get more involved. Shortly after I returned from Israel, I was asked to share my experience at Shabbat services. My parents came to hear my speech and after that, my dad became a “shul man”, attending Shabbat morning services nearly every weekend.

A wise woman once told me, you get out of it what you put into it. I could not agree more. I would encourage any other members who are not actively engaged to join a committee or attend an event, or a trip. I promise you will get much more out of it than you put into it.

Please describe your favorite moment at TBS.
In January, I was thrilled to take part of the Sisterhood Pink Shabbat and read out of the Torah for the first time at 50 years old. This event became even more special to me as it was the last time I saw my father before his fatal stroke. I cannot tell you how much comfort this gave me knowing he was there to share this special moment.
 
As a result of my father’s passing, I now belong to another part of the TBS family – the nightly minyan family. Since he passed earlier this year, my husband, brother and mom try to come every night to say kaddish. I have been so blessed to meet even more families who come each night – either because they share a loss or they just come to support others who have experienced loss.

What is one word you would use to describe TBS?
Warm and caring. When you need them the most, they will be there for you – in good times and bad.

July

Allison & Jamie Arking

We moved to New Jersey in December 2009, and looked for a synagogue that we could call home. We immediately felt comfortable here at TBS due to the warmth and the "menschy" feel of the staff and clergy.

Jamie and I have been involved in many aspects of synagogue life here at TBS. Jamie was on the Strategic Planning Committee and has been playing piano as one of Cantor Jen's famous Daddy-o's for iShir for several years. I was youth director for Kadima for two years, and served on the Youth & Family Education Committee for six. I am currently on the newly formed Lifelong Learning Committee, chairing the HaMakom (Hebrew High School program) Task Force, and starting my second term on the TBS Board. We love being part of TBS life in such meaningful ways, and being so involved has enriched our synagogue experience and made it so much more rewarding. If you are asked to join a committee, say yes! If you have not been asked, and would like to be involved, just reach out to anyone! There is definitely a place for you here.

I don't know that we have one single favorite moment at TBS, as there have been so many important ones in the last 8-1/2 years. Of course, the Bar and Bat Mitzvahs of our kids will top the list, but participating in the Torah Orah initiative where we helped repair a letter of a damaged Torah was a very powerful experience. We also really enjoy any times when we can come to TBS and socialize with our friends, or even make new ones.

What is our favorite TBS food??? I love the frozen challahs that we bake at home. Jamie's is anything that Mens Club cooks... steak, ribs, burgers... and also the whiskey. Definitely the whiskey.

April/May

Randi & Gary Goldblatt

We started at TBS in 2011 when I brought our son Brett to Miss Marcia’s music class. I met many of my closest friends there and joined the ECEC the minute he turned 2. It was an instant connection from then on. We are sad that this is our last year in the ECEC since our daughter Lia will be finishing the 4’s.

While our children attended the ECEC I became involved as much as I could because I wanted the opportunity to watch them grow in every way. I wanted to see how they learned and interacted with their friends. I was the room parent each year and while doing that it made me realize that I wanted to do even more for the school and the synagogue. Ellen Berju asked me to run Transportation Day and I have been running it every year since. It has been truly amazing watching the kids enjoy seeing all the exciting vehicles. I also joined Sisterhood for a year as well as the Young Members Group. I enjoyed the Young Members Group so much that I recently accepted the offer to chair the group next year. I am eager to come up with new ideas and am hoping to have a large committee -- so if you are interested come see me! I recently was on the committee for the Shul of Rock and really enjoyed seeing this incredible event come together with the most amazing team and the very talented Cantor Cohen. This has been an incredible year and I am looking forward to many more successful years to come.

I would have to say one of my most favorite aspects of TBS are the friendships that our family has built over the years. These friends have become family. I can’t imagine where I would be today without the love and support from each and every one of them. Also, watching Brett and Lia sing the prayers not only in school but at home and in the car. I have never been more proud to be Jewish and to hear these prayers I learned as a kid coming from our children. It truly warms my heart. The time and dedication the teachers and staff put into our children education is unbelievable. Gary and I are so grateful for the love they have shown to our children and the guidance that has been given to them to succeed in the future.

One word we would use to describe TBS would be engaging. We feel as though TBS offers so much to engage family members with different types of programs for all ages.

A family consensus of our favorite TBS food would be the challah that the children bake every Friday. Our dog Montana has even been known to unzip the school bags and eat the challah while left unattended. True story.

February

Jenn & Jason Green

What first brought you to Temple Beth Sholom?
When we first moved to Cherry Hill we wanted to find a religious home with a thriving preschool and religious school. We wanted a place that would feel like a second home to us, especially our children. When we looked at TBS's website I recognized one of my Ramah bunkmates immediately and knew we were on the right track. We were impressed with the friendliness and approach-ability of the clergy, and remain so to this day.

From there, we attended our first High Holiday services where we were honored as new members by joining the Torah parade. We immediately felt the warmth of the community. Shortly thereafter, the preschool expanded their hours, at which point we couldn't wait to transition our daughter and then enroll our son when it was his turn. Both of our children are as comfortable at TBS as they are in our own home. Jason and I have also found our niches with the vast volunteer options and opportunities for involvement that TBS offers.

How have you become involved in synagogue life at TBS? How would you encourage others to become involved?
Once we got settled in with our work and school routines we started attending events and meeting more people. We learned about different committees from casual conversations and I told people I wanted to get more involved. I joined the EBJ ECEC and Young Members Group committees and said yes to helping out as much as I could. I was honored to receive an application for and, in turn, participate in the PLI program.

I'm currently the Chairperson for the Young Members Group and a TBS Board member. Both of these positions have provided opportunities to meet and connect with different members of TBS to learn about other aspects of the synagogue. We would encourage everyone to attend events and talk to people. Let them know what you're interested in.

Please describe your favorite moment at TBS.
Our favorite moments at TBS are our son's bris and our daughter's KE Review. It was wonderful to have a place to hold the bris where we were comfortable and knew everything would be taken care of. Our daughter's KE Review was adorable and funny and truly highlighted the wonderful education Ellen, Alex, and all of the teachers, staff, and clergy provide at TBS.

What is one word you would use to describe TBS?
Hamish. We have always felt very welcome at TBS.

What is your favorite TBS food?
The individual challah our kids come home from preschool with every Friday. They are so proud to have made our Shabbat challah and share the special shape/letter they focused on. It's also the catalyst for our Shabbat celebration every week. We love the ongoing home-school connection!

December 2017

Rabbi Micah Peltz

10 years living in New Jersey. Something us midwesterners thought would never happen!

Here are some things Micah and I have learned from our TBS family during our 10 years in Cherry Hill:

1. Cherry Hill is, in fact, a great location. Close to NYC, close to the shore, and convenient enough to DC. Though we never thought about living in Cherry Hill before we moved here, we actually find ourselves in a central location for family and friends!

2. Time moves quickly. Everyone keeps telling us this. In the 10 years we've lived here, we've had three children, lived in two houses, and have been to countless appointments with our pediatrician and quadruple that number of trips to ShopRite! During Kiddush, we often hear that our children will grow up before we know it. When we had to submit our form for Yael's Bat Mitzvah date this past week, that sure rang true!

3. TBS is the best shul around. When we first came to TBS on Micah's interview weekend, we had a feeling right away that Rabbi Lindemann would be a truly wonderful mentor. And we had the blessing of spending time with Rabbi Lewis and Sarah. Ten years later, we appreciate even more how Rabbi Lindemann, as well as Jane, are one of a kind. Additionally, getting to work closely with Cantor Cohen, Ron Safier, Alex Weinberg, Jill Hammel, and Ellen Berju is as fabulous as it gets -- and now with Rabbi Wexler, the team is even better. Not only that, there is something so special about the TBS family. TBS congregants value the importance of l'dor va'dor -- they take their commitment to Judaism and Jewish learning seriously and understand that being there for one another is what community is all about.

4. Our TBS family has taught us that we are very lucky to be where we are in our lives -- geographically and spiritually. We are grateful that Yael, Ari and Ilan have taken some of their first steps on the TBS bimah and even learned to climb stairs in order to get bim-bom at the end of services. (When our kids were younger they actually thought that the word for "chocolate" was in fact "bim-bom" -- thanks Alvin!) They will forever associate going to shul with treats, with lots of people knowing who they are, enjoying watching them grow and watching to make sure they don't walk out the front door. (Thank you to all of those who have stopped Ilan when he has tried to make a break for it.)

Most of all, we have learned so much from all of you. Thank you for your support, your encouragement, your kindness, and your love of TBS.

November 

Sarah & Lanni Barkow

What first brought you to Temple Beth Sholom?
When we moved to Marlton 13 years ago we knew we wanted to belong to a synagogue that had the same feel as our synagogue in Center City. TBS had everything we wanted. A vibrant preschool and Hebrew School, along with the family feel that we wanted.

From the moment we joined we have felt welcomed and included. We have met some of our best friends at TBS and feel very fortunate.

How have you become involved in synagogue life at TBS? How would you encourage others to become involved?
Lanni has been involved with many Men's Club and Young Members Group programs. Sarah has been involved with the HSA Marketplace, Sisterhood Fashion Show, Franny's Shop, Shalach Manot, Sisterhood Passover Seder, and Chocolate Seder to name a few!

Sarah is currently co-chairing Sip n Shop on November 30th sponsored by Sisterhood and Young Members Group.

I think the best way to get involved is to volunteer for something that you are interested in. I have found my niche in Sisterhood and they have welcomed me with open arms. I have met the most amazing people and surprised myself by doing things I never thought I could.

Please describe your favorite moment at TBS.
There are so many, but our favorite is when we walked with the Torahs during our son Milo's bar mitzvah. There is nothing like seeing people there to celebrate a wonderful simcha with you.

What is one word you would use to describe TBS?
Family

What is your favorite TBS food?
The challah of course!!

September

Sandee & Bob Chalik

We came to TBS in 1996 from central Jersey when Bob's job was transferred to Philadelphia. We knew we wanted a synagogue where our family could feel welcomed and comfortable and we found it! We chose TBS because the services were warm, inviting and a great place for us to learn. The teaching "drasha" on Shabbat mornings clinched the choice because the rabbis always teach something that we probably haven't thought about before and we learn from them and from our fellow congregants. On Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, although we each have different religious beliefs, we each feel included in the Rabbis' messages.

We are involved in TBS in a few different ways. Sandee is a regular at Shabbat morning services and sings in the choir. Together we are part of the Hazon CSA and Sandee takes an active role in the Sustainability Project Team. This project is part of the synagogue's application for the Hazon "Seal of Sustainability." Hazon is a Jewish environmental organization whose mission is "to create healthier and more sustainable communities in the Jewish world and beyond." Hazon's Seal of Sustainability is a way for us to do our share to take care of our planet while actively engaging in the mitzvah of "ba'al tashchit", the commandment not to destroy or waste items from the natural world. This project has led the sustainability team to completely organize all the TBS kitchens and to put a system in place to use food and equipment in a more sustainable and efficient way. The system will help us monitor our use of ingredients and equipment by the schools and committees that work with food, maintaining clean working spaces and equipment, eliminating waste and the duplication of ingredients.

We would encourage others who may have an interest or a desire to make a difference to look to TBS to find a way to contribute their time in their own way, as we did. There are many different opportunities available. The sustainability project was one way that worked for us.

Favorite moment at TBS: Participating in the siyuum for the Holocaust Torah with our family

One word: Thoughtful

Favorite TBS food??? Cookin' Kiddush food!