Gary Adelson has been a member of the congregation for over 30 years and has served on the Board of Trustees for over 15 years. Gary’s involvement at Agudat Achim covers several areas: he instituted the AKIVA bequest program, served as vice president and chair of the Education Endowment Fund Committee (EEFC) and the School Board. He also co-chaired the committee that raised funds to build the synagogue’s religious school and chaired the committee that implemented the plan. Gary has been a member of the EEFC since its inception in 1986, and has served on the contract negotiation teams for four rabbis. “I have been a member of this congregation in good and bad times, and have found that the members of the congregation are its most valued asset. Problems have faced us, opportunities have presented themselves, and the members of the congregation have stepped forward to address the challenges, giving of their time and resources to help us endure.”
Howard Axelrod, a member of the congregation for 14 years, is the Ritual Committee chair and High Holiday cantor. He has served as education vice president, children’s choir director, and has been a member of the Board of Trustees for eight years.
Susan Axelrod is a member of the Executive Committee. Susan was president of the congregation during its 110th anniversary and the 9/11 tragedy. She has served on the Board of Trustees for 13 years, has been vice president, chaired a major musical concert, and has been involved with the Membership Committee, Finance Committee, Ways and Means Committee, and the Carrot Festival. She has been a member of the congregation for 14 years where both of her daughters became bat mitzvah. “My best friends have come into my life through my involvement with the synagogue. One of the highlights of my life was learning to read Torah in Marv Garfinkel’s Torah class.”
Jill Bucinell is Youth Commission chair. She has been a member of Agudat Achim since 1993, where she has been past president of Women’s Network, USY advisor for six years, and a member of the Carrot Festival Committee for five years. Jill has held various positions in Women’s Network and has also chaired several programs along the way. "Just do it!" is Jill’s favorite quote in getting things accomplished.
Susan Clouthier-Braiman has been School Board chair since 2009 and a school board member since 2004. Susan spearheaded the development of Congregation Agudat Achim’s Hebrew High School, was typing coordinator for the congregation’s cookbook Divine™ Kosher Cuisine, and volunteers at the Carrot Festival and at various other events throughout the year. Susan and her late husband, Richard Braiman, were committed to providing their three boys with a Jewish education at Agudat Achim, where they became bar mitzvah. Susan has been a member of the congregation since 1986. “The congregation has been a sincere source of strength through my life’s journey of difficulties and mitzvahs. I am truly thankful for the source of support and friendship that they have given my family over the years.”
Steve Cohen is chair of the House and Grounds Committee and a life-long member of Congregation Agudat Achim. He has been president of Men’s Club and a recipient of its Shofar Award in 2010. Steve has been a two-time chair of the Carrot Festival, youth commissioner, and Kadima advisor. For the past 15 years, Steve has been active in the synagogue kitchen, where he continues to enjoy preparing and serving meals at various synagogue functions. "Agudat Achim has been a very important part of not only my life but of my family members as well."
Jeffrey Stephen Ellenbogen has been a member of the Board of Trustees since 2009 and Treasurer since 2010. Jeffrey volunteers at the Carrot Festival, Men's Club, and other events throughout the year. His family has been a member of the congregation since 2007. “Congregation Agudat Achim is a very important part of the spiritual and social growth of my family, and I strongly believe that our involvement will help Judaism continue to be an important part of all of our lives.”
Robert J. Feinberg has been chair of the Cemetery Committee for 12 years and a member of the committe for 15. During his tenure, Bob coordinated 200 burials, implemented significant improvements in the operation and management of the cemetery, and spearheaded the development of cemetery policies, including a policy for an interfaith section in the cemetery. Bob is also a long-time member of Men’s Club, where he served as president, vice president, and program chair for many years. Bob served on the Adult Education Committee for over 12 years and was a key contributor and resource in the development of innovative programs. For over 25 years, Bob attended minyan once or twice per week, regularly leading services. Bob and his wife, Carole, have been members of the congregation for over 35 years; and over the span of 90 years, four generations of the family have been members of the congregation.
Hillary Fink has been a member of the congregation since 2005. She has co-chaired Carrot Festival since 2006 and has been co-president of Women's Network since 2007. Hillary also serves on the Membership Committee and the Jewish Year Committee, and assists in the kitchen whenever possible.
Randy Fox became Social Action chair in 2010. Over the years, Randy has managed the congregation’s Leora Judaica gift shop, taught Hebrew School, co-chaired Carrot Festival, and given back to the larger community in many other ways. Randy and her husband, Rob, a past president of the congregation, have been members at Agudat Achim since they moved to the Capital District 24 years ago. “This warm and welcoming environment made it easy for our two daughters to develop strong Jewish identities. The entire Fox family has grown religiously, educationally, and socially here.”
Rob Fox is the immediate past president of Congregation Agudat Achim. Since moving to Schenectady from Long Island in 1986, Rob and his wife, Randy, have been active synagogue members. Rob has served as chair of the Men’s Club, and of Adult Education, to which he has returned and is the current co-chair. He has also been active on other committees, including the Jewish Year Committee and Synaplex programming.
Rob resides in Niskayuna with Randy and their daughters Sharon and Joanna.
Andrew Gavens has been a member of Agudat Achim since 1999. During that time, he has been chairman of House and Grounds, president of Men’s Club, and co-chair of the Carrot Festival. “From when we first entered Agudat Achim, it was obvious that it was a volunteer-directed organization. There is a place for anyone who wants to get involved. Agudat Achim has been and continues to be a wonderful place for my family to grow.”
Sara Gavens has served as education vice president on the Board of Trustees and the Executive Committee for over six years. Sara has also been a member of the School Board for eight years. She joined the congregation in 1999, and recalls that her first experience with the synagogue was the day she and her family arrived from out of town. “The rabbi at the time came out to personally welcome us and invited us to a membership function that was happening that evening (coincidentally) and then to services the following Shabbat. From the start, members of the synagogue went out of their way to involve us in the synagogue community. My husband and I met our closest friends here in Niskayuna through the congregation.”
Murray M. Jaros, Special Counsel, has been a member at Agudat Achim for 46 years. He currently serves on the Executive Committee and the Ritual Committee. Murray has been a congregation president, chair of the Ritual Committee, and member of the Education Endowment Fund Committee. “Membership in Agudat Achim has provided me with a learning and spiritual dimension that serves me in my daily life. It also offered an opportunity to serve the community of Agudat Achim in different capacities, enriching my life and giving personal fulfillment.” In the wider community, Murray has served on the board of the NENY Jewish Federation, as chair of the Federation Endowment Board (currently a board member), and chair of the Endowment Board Investment Committee. He has served on the board of the Hebrew Academy, Jewish Family Services, and Daughters of Sarah, where he chaired its Investment Committee.
Harvey Mendelson has been a member of Agudat Achim for 48 years. He is currently a member at large on the Board of Trustees and the congregation’s photographer-in-residence. He and his wife, Arlene, co-chaired the Stark Visual Arts Committee for 10 years, the Adult Education Committee for two years, and participated in the committee that raised funds for the religious school when it was established. Harvey was the photographer for the congregation’s cookbook Divine™ Kosher Cuisine.
Eric Moses has been a member of the congregation for 28 years and is the chair of the Ways and Means Committee. “Congregation Agudat Achim is a wonderful spiritual place to gather and learn with generations of friends and family. It teaches the young a meaningful way to look to Judaism for fulfillment.”
Bill Rowen has been chairman of the Personnel Committee since it was first formed in 1993. He is also a member of both the Executive Committee and the Dues Committee. Bill was treasurer of Congregation Agudat Achim from 1968 through 1973, during the planning and construction of the sanctuary; and president from 1981 to 1984, when the religious school was built. He and his wife Barbara have been members of the congregation since 1964.
Robin Lippman Scharf is a member at large on the Board of Trustees. She co-chaired the first community Passover Seder in 2010 and was treasurer of Women’s Network for two years. Robin volunteers at the Carrot Festival every year and helps prepare college packages for students. She has been a member of the congregation for 16 years. “I have found Agudat Achim to be very welcoming and open to a new member becoming a part of the community very quickly, particularly if they become involved in one of the many activities available.”
Stephen Schmidt is a member at large on the Board of Trustees and former chair and current member of the Kallah Committee. Steve is involved with Men’s Club, the Investment Committee, and the Membership Committee. He also teaches electives at the Hebrew High School, leads services, and helps lead Junior Congregation. Steve has been a member of the congregation for 13 years. “Agudat Achim has been a great place for my kids to learn about their commitments as Jews.”
Sadie Schneider has been a member of Agudat Achim for close to 60 years and has been involved in all areas of synagogue life. She has been past president of Women’s Network and founder of Reyut, the Education Endowment Fund Committee, and the Archives Committee. In addition, Sadie co-chaired the congregation’s 90th and 100th anniversary celebrations. She is currently a member of the Adult Education Committee and the Membership Committee, both of which she has presided as chair during her involvement as a volunteer. Sadie also heads the Jewish Year Committee, which provides congregants the opportunity to celebrate all Jewish holidays with their synagogue family.
Esta Skoburn, a member of the congregation for over 30 years, is chair of the Membership Committee at Agudat Achim. Esta has been chair and member of the School Board.
Este Sylvetsky is secretary of the Board of Trustees and the Executive Committee, where she has been a member for over six and three years, respectively. Este chairs the College Package Committee and has managed the Leora Judaica gift shop for the past 12 years. Este has also been Women's Network president for three years, served in various capacities within the organization, and been a member of the Steering Committee for the congregation’s Divine™ Kosher Cuisine cookbook since its inception. She has been a member of the congregation for 20 years. “I have made Agudat Achim my second home and have made many wonderful friends through my day-to-day involvement.” Este participated in the adult B’not Mitzvah and Torah Trope class, and she is a core member of Shabbat Torah readers.
Ernie Wein is co-chair of the Adult Education Committee. Ernie, a former history teacher, became active at Agudat Achim after his retirement. He is co-chair of the community Passover Seder and is a regular attendee at minyans. Ernie's family has been members of Agudat Achim since 1958. Ernie he and his wife, Deborah, have been members since 1971.
Joel Weingarten is president of Men’s Club and participated in the rabbi’s Search Committee in 2008. He and his wife, Tammy, have been members of the congregation since 2003. Joel thinks that Agudat Achim offers a “fantastic family environment.”
Jay R. Yablon is a member of the Executive Committee and chairman of the Constitution Committee, which advises the president on constitutional matters. He also serves as volunteer in-house legal counsel for the congregation. Jay has been president and vice president of the congregation, and chairman of the Carrot Festival; he has been a member of the Board of Trustees and Executive Committee for over 10 years. Jay has been a member of our congregation for about 20 years; his wife Debbie and her parents have been members for about 50 years. “Ours is not just a congregation, but an extended family. It gives all of us a safe, supportive place to always return home to friends, amidst the ups and downs of our busy lives.”
