Temple Shalom Board of Trustees
Officers
Co-President – Carol Berlin*
Co-President – Judy Levin-Charns*
Vice-President – Erica Neufeld *
Vice-President – Howard Sholkin *
Vice-President – Valerie Pirri*
Vice-President – William Korn*
Vice-President - Sarah Ruderman Wilensky*
Treasurer - Mark Blecher*
Membership Secretary – Ed Case
Corresponding Secretary – Yvonne Baehr-Robertson
Recording Secretary - Judi Goldberg
* Members of the Executive Committee
Trustees
Michelle Alkon
Ofer Ben-Gai
Samuel Brenner
Alyssa Brown
Edmund Case
Allan Cole
Elizabeth Connolly
Barbara Hecht
Sharon Herrick
Elizabeth Newstadt
Ellen Nusbaum
Laura Scharf
Marci Shyavitz
Emily Sienkiewicz
Mona Yaguda-Ross
Trustees ex-officio
Past President - Fred Kraus*
Past President – Scott Birnbaum
Updates from Your Board of Trustees
For more information about the Board of Trustees, please contact president@templeshalom.org.
Executive Committee Members
Carol Berlin
Carol and her husband Chuck joined Temple Shalom over 20 years ago. They immediately became involved with the Social Action Committee. Following her retirement from teaching in Framingham, Carol taught Hebrew at Temple Shalom. Carol and Chuck traveled on synagogue trips to Israel and Europe, as well as the Civil Rights trip to the South. Carol recently served as Financial Secretary and co-chaired the Tzedek Team. Carol’s children live in Framingham and in Winooski, VT.
Judy Levin-Charns
Judy and her husband Marty joined Temple Shalom over 25 years ago. Judy is in her second year as co-president of Temple Shalom. Over the years she has participated in numerous temple activities. Among these, she co-chaired the TS Mental Health Initiative and is a member of the Sisterhood Board. Judy is the Program Director of the Graduate Program in Special Education Administration at Bay Path University. Judy and Marty have one son, David who lives in Las Vegas, Nevada. Judy and Marty live in Auburndale, with their dog, Gracie.
Erica Neufeld
Erica is a Newton native who moved to Washington, DC for undergrad and stayed another 20 years. Erica and her daughter joined Temple Shalom in 2018 not long after moving back to Newton. Professionally, Erica has spent her career in healthcare marketing communications at various hospitals and non-profit organizations and personally, she loves to swim, bike, travel, read, try new restaurants, and spend time with family and friends.
Howard Sholkin
Howard has several decades of marketing communication experience in technology. He has taught at Boston University and Lasell university teaching communications and media courses, worked at International Data Group (IDG), and been a news producer at WCVB-TV, Boston. He serves on the boards of three non-profits: Newton Community Pride, Boston Entrepreneurs Network (ENET), and Temple Shalom of Newton where he has served in leadership roles since the 1990s.
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Valerie Pirri
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William Korn
Will Korn and his wife Karen joined Temple Shalom over 20 years ago. Their two sons attended religious school and had B'nai Mitzvah at the temple. Will has been on the temple board since 2018 and recently joined the Executive Committee. Will has been leading the Israel Task Force, a group of congregants interested in bringing Israel-related programming to the members. He recently retired from his career as an interventional radiologist after 30 years, and plans to spend time on family, travel, and his favorite hobby, photography.
Sarah Ruderman Wilensky
As a member of the Executive Committee and Board of Trustees, Sarah heads our advancement initiatives. In her professional life Sarah is the Director of Organizational Partnerships at PJ Library, part of the Harold Grinspoon Foundation. She loves to cook (and eat), read, spend time at the beach and listen to live music. Sarah lives in Newton with her spouse, 2 children and cat named Brisket.
Mark Blecher
As treasurer of Temple Shalom, Mark is responsible for the Temple Shalom budget. Mark works in partnership with the Finance Committee presenting an annual budget to the Temple Board. The partnership among Mark, the Finance Committee, executive director, and Board of Trustees ensures our budget reflects Temple priorities and is maintained throughout the year.
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Yvonne Baehr-Roberston
Bio Coming Soon
Judi Goldberg
Judi is an attorney with over 20 years of experience working in the public and private sectors. She currently works as Deputy Director of the Bureau of Program Integrity for the Massachusetts Office of the Inspector General. Judi lives in Newton with her husband, Bill, and daughter, Maya. She and her family joined Temple Shalom in 2008. You can find her most Friday nights in the back row of the right side of the sanctuary.
Fred Kraus
As immediate past president of Temple Shalom, Fred serves a trusted thought partner for the senior professional staff and executive committee. Professionally, Fred leads product management at a software company. He and his wife Jaimie live in West Newton with their eighth grader Alissa, fifth grader Lucas, and dog Zoey.
Additional Committees
Budget and Finance
Oversees the management of the finance, prepares the annual budget and recommends dues.
Caring Community
Organizes volunteer opportunities for our members to reach out in times of joy and sadness.
Engagement
Deepens the engagement of congregants and prospective members throughout in synagogue life.
House
Maintains and operates the real estate and property of the congregation and supervises the purchase of all fine arts, furnishings and supplies.
Interfaith Connection
Engages and supports interfaith families and members exploring Judaism through special programming and individual support.
Music
Works with the cantor to enhance the appreciation of music in our worship and in our secular activities through music programs and concerts.
Religious Practices
Provides guidance and assistance to the Temple’s clergy for services and other religious practices.
SHACHARIT Parent Advisory Committee
Collaborates with the K-6 education staff to support the SHACHARIT program and advise the professional leadership about ways to make our K-6 program most successful
Social Action
Organizes projects and activities focusing on Tikkun Olam - repairing the world.