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Director of Education and Programing Jack Mintzer
Jack has been with Agudat Achim for eight years after serving for three years as the Education Director for Congregation Shaara T’fille in Saratoga Springs, where he is a life-long resident. He holds a Bachelor's of Arts degree in Business Administration from Western New England College and is a graduate of the College of Saint Rose, where he received his Master of Science in Elementary Education. He is also New York State certified as a public school educator for grades Pre-K - 7 and is a member of the Jewish Educator's Assembly. His duties include the administration of all aspects of the Agudat Achim Religious School, Youth Director, Adult Education, family programming, publicity, membership recruitment, and he designed our website. Jack is a firm believer in having an "open door policy" and prospective and current families are always welcome to meet with him and observe positive Jewish education in action. To meet with Jack please call the School office directly at 518-381-8983 or email him at the address below.
Email: aguprinc@nycap.rr.com
Jack Mintzer's Profile |
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Ritual Coordinator Howard Mittleman
Howard Mittleman our Ritual Coordinator was raised in Queens, NY. He is a mostly self-taught woodworker and boatbuilder. He ran a custom boatbuilding shop in Albany for 18 years. He has also worked for contractors and designers doing custom building, furniture and art woodwork. It was while working for designer Jim Lewis that he built the two torah stands that bracket the ark in the main sanctuary. More recently, Howard was the lead shipwright on the Onrust, a replica of an early 17th century Dutch ship being built in Rotterdam Junction, NY. He has a BA in Anthroplogy from SUNY Albany.
Raised in a non-observant Reform household, Howard attended a weekend Shabbaton with Rabbi Zalman Schacter 18 years ago. That experience inspired him to begin attending synagogue, learning the melodies of the various services, studying Hebrew, and in the last few years, learning Torah trope from Marv Garfinkel. Howard is a frustrated musician- he regularly doesn't play his violin, but has been getting a lot of satisfaction from singing, especially leading morning minyan and chanting Torah and haftarah.
Howard provides assistance with the religious affairs of the Congregation in the conduct of daily, Shabbat and Festival services as requested by the Ritual Committee. He maintains and keeps filled the schedule of Torah readings for Shabbat and Festival services, and Monday and Thursday morning minyans, and is responsible for ensuring proper coverage for leadership and attendance for daily minyans. In addition, Howard assigns people to read parts of the Shabbat and Festival Services.
Email: hrmitt@gmail.com
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Bookeeper Glenys Mountford
Glenys, educated in England became a welcomed member of the synagogue office staff in 2001 as the bookkeeper. Her smiling face makes our office a great place to conduct business.
Email: agubkpr@nycap.rr.com
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Secretary Debbie Daley
Debbie joined Congregation Agudat Achim in February of 2009. Debbie brings 25 years of experience in the human resources and outplacement field, where she worked in various capacities, reaching the position of office manager at her former employer, Windelspecht Associates. Debbie has also worked as manager, customer service contact, and dispatcher/scheduler for the Albany and Saratoga franchises of Mr. Handyman, a one-stop handyman service serving the Capital District.
At Agudat Achim, Debbie provides information to congregants and the public, assists the Rabbi, tracks our numerous donations, and prepares letters, the weekly announcements and materials for the monthly bulletin.
Debbie is married and has two grown children and a granddaughter.
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Head Custodian Gary Dayter
Gary was born and raised in Albany, NY. He joined Congregation Agudat Achim in 1983, after an eight-year tenure in the rust protection business for automobiles at Ziebart International Corporation and a brief experience at the Coca Cola Bottling Company in Albany.
At Agudat Achim, Gary is responsible for the cleanup and maintenance of all aspects of the building and grounds. In addition, Gary coordinates the layout, setup and dismantling of all committee events, including Carrot Festival, catering events, and garage sales. Gary also assists Catering Coordinator Ellen Daviero with food preparation and cleanup, and is solely responsible for the preparation and setup of the Saturday kiddush.
Gary is married and has a son.
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Assistant Custodian Eugene Brown
Eugene joined Congregation Agudat Achim in 1999, where he is primarily responsible for the cleanup and maintenance of the Hebrew School and assists Head Custodian Gary Dayter when school is not in session.
Eugene retired from Skidmore College as housekeeping supervisor, where he was responsible for all academic buildings and student dorms from 1992 until 1998. Prior to Skidmore, Eugene worked at General Electric for 17 years, first as foreman of over 20 welders in steam turbines and then as foreman of approximately 50 electricians, carpenters, machinists, and office cleaners in gas turbines.
Eugene was born in Toccoa, Georgia. He grew up in New Haven, Connecticut, and moved to Schenectady in 1953, after serving in the Korean War for 23 months. Eugene is married, has four children, and nine grandchildren.
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