Temple Shalom Board of Trustees
Officers
President – Erica Neufeld *
Vice-President – Howard Sholkin *
Vice-President – Valerie Pirri*
Vice-President – Samuel Brenner*
Vice-President - Sarah Ruderman Wilensky*
Treasurer - Lynda Schwartz *
Membership Secretary – Ellen Nussbaum*
Corresponding Secretary – Yvonne Baehr-Robertson
* Members of the Executive Committee
Trustees
Will Korn
Allan Cole
Barbara Hecht
Sharon Herrick
Laura Scharf
John Duberstein
Rachel King
Liz Kleinerman
Elizabeth Connolly
Mitchell Dickerman
Charlie Brenner
Christine Fisher
Evan Leventhal
Averi Price
Trustees ex-officio
Past President - Carol Berlin*
Past President - Judy Levin-Charns*
Past President - Fred Kraus
Updates from Your Board of Trustees
2023 Annual Congregational Meeting Presidents' Speech
For more information about the Board of Trustees, please contact president@templeshalom.org.
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
Bio Coming Soon
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.
Lynda Schwartz
As treasurer of Temple Shalom, Lynda works with our Finance Committee, clergy, and staff to present an annual budget for approval by the Temple Board. Throughout the fiscal year, Lynda and the Finance Committee work with the temple staff and clergy to oversee our financial operations. Lynda is a CPA and a lecturer in accounting at University of Massachusetts Amherst. Lynda is also a former board chair and treasurer of InterfaithFamily, now known as 18Doors, a national non-profit supporting interfaith families exploring Jewish life. Lynda and her family have been members of Temple Shalom since the early 1990s.
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Yvonne Baehr-Roberston
Bio Coming Soon
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.