Shabbat Shalom ~ Acharei Mot-Kedoshim 2025

Shalom WJC Family,

As promised in last week’s email, this week I am highlighting two more very special people whom we will honor at our 2025 WJC Gala in just 9 days! I spend the vast majority of my time each day at WJC and despite a climate out there that can sometimes feel hostile towards Jews, I have never felt unsafe in or around our building. That is no accident. It takes hours and hours of learning, planning, staying informed, and considering plans for all kinds of variables. The person who is spending those hours and hours for WJC is Mark Berger, one half of the terrific couple of Mark and Marcie who are being honored at our Gala.

Rarely have I had the pleasure to work with a volunteer more dedicated, more meticulous, or more caring than Mark. All of his efforts on behalf of the synagogue come from a true love of the Jewish people in general, and a love for his WJC community in particular. He shows that concern not only through his long time tenure as chair of the security committee, but also as an active, and thoughtful, member of the Spiritual Life Committee, an officer of the synagogue, and a regular prayer leader in the sanctuary and chapel.

Marcie’s passion for Judaism and the WJC community led her to dedicate her time to our community in a number of ways. She has been a committed member of the bikkur holim committee, helping the community care for those who have fallen ill by providing meals. She was an active member of many of our youth and education committees, and Marcie even pitched in the first ever WJC Women’s Softball Fundraiser (she pitched in high school). Marcie’s passion and compassion come out in everything she does, including teaching math to Rye Country Day Middle and High School students. She was recently named the school’s Wildcat of the Week, highlighting her incredible talent as a teacher and her commitment to adding to the community wherever she is.

 

Our 80’s themed party promises to be totally rad. I hope you will join me and the congregation in honoring them at this year’s 2025 Gala. You can purchase tickets here and if you can’t make it, still show your appreciation by purchasing an ad here. Another good reason to come to the Gala is to be together with your WJC Family. Come celebrate, have fun, and  support our special community at the 2025 Gala, our biggest fundraiser of the year. 

I want to close by wishing all the moms out there a happy Mother’s Day. The video below was made just for the occasion. Enjoy and thank you for everything you do for all of us children in the world.

See you in shul,

RJA