The Year in Review

Friday night Speaker Series: We welcomed a series of members to speak to us about their experiences at Brotherhood.

• February 6, 2024: Judge Laura Ward, a member of Brotherhood since our inception in 1954, spoke about the founding of the synagogue and its early years. Laura was our first Bat Mitzvah and a has served on our Board of Trustees. Her grandfather was an early trustee, followed by her father. 
• March 1, 2024: Phil Rothman, Executive Director Emeritus, reflected on his early years and experiences at Brotherhood Synagogue, including the expansion of the Hebrew School and the development of iconic Brotherhood programs such as the Homeless Shelter and the Tivkah Program.
• April 5, 2024: Bob Wolf talked about his initial encounter with Brotherhood Synagogue, standing on the non-member Community Service line waiting to attend High Holiday services, and some of the wonderful things that happened at Brotherhood thereafter. Bob has served as President of the Synagogue from 2006 to 2009, and Chair of the Board of Trustees. He has served on the Board since the mid-1990s.
• May 3, 2024:  Sara Rothman spoke about growing up at Brotherhood and participating in Brotherhood’s many childhood programs. She attended our first Shabbat Corner class with Basya Shechter and, eventually, became the class assistant every Saturday morning. Sara also attended Aleph Bet Club, Junior Congregation, and even attended Hebrew School after her Bat Mitzvah. She will share more about her time in these programs and growing up with the Brotherhood community. 
• June 14, 2024: Mark Goldfinger spoke about his 20+ years of being a member and student at Brotherhood Synagogue. His years as some of you may have heard in past sermons are filled with great stories, causing some trouble, days in the principal's office that ultimately lead to helping at the Homeless shelter, assisting in numerous Brotherhood Theatre plays, and of course signing his ketubah in Rabbi Alder's office. Mark has seen it all throughout his time at Brotherhood, and he is looking forward to sharing insight and most importantly a few good laughs with everyone. 
• July 19, 2024:  Morissa-Falk Freedman grew up at Brotherhood and came of age as Rabbi Block passed the baton to Rabbi Alder. She shared the ways Brotherhood is different now and the ways Brotherhood has remained the same over the years.
• August 16, 2024:  Amelia Gross and her family have been Brotherhood members since 2020. Amelia, her husband, Max, and their two boys, Remy and Jules, live in Kips Bay. Both children attended Brotherhood’s Early Childhood Program (ECP) and Nursery School and her eldest (Remy) is a rising first-grader in the Hebrew School. This past academic year, Amelia chaired the Nursery School’s Parent Association and led the committee that organized the annual Brotherhood School Benefit. Amelia is a full-time working mom and senior retail executive who has spent her entire career working in the fashion industry..

• September 27, 2024:  Charlie Rich and his wife, Jayme, and their two sons, Alex and Daniel, became Brotherhood members in 1995. He joined the Board in 1998, serving as VP and Chairman along with many roles since that time. From 1998–2003 he chaired the “Upper Level Committee” overseeing a series of multi-year construction projects which resulted in converting the original Quaker attic space into a library with classrooms and offices; renovating the sanctuary and community rooms including new lighting and AC for the sanctuary; relocating the synagogue offices to the third floor and creating a reception room among other projects. He is proud of literally helping to “Build Brotherhood” and will share some stories of the construction.
•  October 25, 2024: Bernard & Paulette Esrig and their three sons, Seth, Marc and Dave joined the Brotherhood Synagogue when it shared space with the 13th Street Presbyterian Church in the early 1970s. He served as President and Chairman of the Board of Trustees in the 1980s and was an active member of the Board for many years. The Synagogue in its early years confronted and successfully addressed challenges to its viability as a thriving, welcoming house of worship. Bernie and Paulette will talk briefly about some challenges and how they were resolved.

70th Anniversary Celebration, Friday May 10:  A salute to all of our volunteers over the years, with a special thank you to our past presidents.  A video of the Shabbat service honoring them is available here. 

November 2024, Rabbi Irving J. Block Memorial Lecture: Our guest speaker was Rabbi Block’s son, Herbert Block. Herbert grew up at Brotherhood, and currently serves as the Executive Director of the American Zionist Movement.

The Sefer Torah Project: We commissioned the writing of a new Torah and there werebe several opportunities throughout the year for our members to perform the mitzvah of writing a letter. Thank you to all who have donated to bring a new Torah to Brotherhood! Read more about the project and see photos and videos celebrating the progress and culmination of this project here.

Brotherhood Oral History: Two of our long-term members, Alba and Michael Dwass, interviewed members about the importance of Brotherhood in people’s lives. Alba and Michael — thank you for volunteering to work on this project.  

For further information, feel free to contact the Co-heads of Brotherhood’s 70th Anniversary Committee, Debra M. Aaron and Susan L.  Halper