JOE SHIANG and SUSAN SHARFSTEIN, ALEXANDRA and STEVE SCHMIDT, Volunteers of the Year.
SCHENECTADY–Congregation Agudat Achim (CAA) will hold its annual Shomrei Kehillah Awards celebration on Sunday, May 4, at 11 a.m. The brunch will be held at the synagogue, 2117 St., Niskayuna. This event will recognize eight outstanding volunteers and raise funds for programs and services for the congregation.
BARBY HARRIS, Woman of Valor Award.
The Volunteers of the Year are Joe Shiang and Susan Sharfstein, and Steve and Alexandra Schmidt. Barby Harris will receive the Woman of Valor Award. Larry Routenberg and Bruce Trachtenberg will each receive a Shofar Award. Aryeh Korevaar, son of Kati and Bas Korevaar, will receive the Tzameret Award for Youth Leadership.
According to organizers, Shomrei Kehillah translates to Guardians of the Community. Congregants who have made outstanding contributions to both the CAA community and the community-at-large will be honored.
The Volunteer of the Year Award is given to a congregant or congregants who exemplify the spirit of tikkun olam through volunteerism and/or philanthropy.
Joe Shiang and Susan Sharfstein, and Steve and Alexandra Schmidt have both together and individually devoted themselves to CAA.
Susan Sharfstein has served on the board of trustees for more than 15 years. She has served as chairwoman of the membership committee, USY/Kadima advisor/youth commissioner, and serves as facilities vice president and is in line for the presidency. She reads Torah, serves as gabbai and occasionally gives d’vrei Torah.
Joe Shiang is chairman of the ritual committee and has served on that committee for the past quarter century. He is a regular minyan leader, and reads Torah for both CAA and Beth Israel, of Schenectady. He, with Steve Schmidt, was the co-leader of the Junior Congregation for over a decade, taught Talmud in the Hebrew High School, served as a B’nai mitzvah tutor and as holiday committee co-chairman.
Steve Schmidt is immediate past president of the congregation. He has served on synagogue committees, often as the chairman. Steve has led Agudat Achim’s singing group, volunteered as a USY parent, taught in the Hebrew High School and has served as a b’nai mitzvah tutor. He also reads Torah and Haftorah, leads services on Shabbat and for Friday night and daily minyanim.
Alexandra Schmidt regularly leads services for Shabbat and holidays, reads Torah and Haftorah, has served on the ritual committee, rabbi search committees, taught adult education, tutored and coordinated b’nai mitzvot, keeps the yahrzeit lights lit, updates the signboard and has volunteered for catering.
The Woman of Valor Award is presented annually by the Women’s Network to recognize a woman who has made a distinct contribution to her synagogue and/or community by demonstrating a personal commitment and a sense of mission to enhance the lives of others. Barby Harris, this year’s recipient, is a third-generation congregant. She has served on the board of trustees, the adult education, membership and ritual committees and has been a member of the catering team and Women’s Network.
The Shofar Award is presented by the Men’s Club to an individual in recognition of his leadership and outstanding service to the Men’s Club and to the congregation.
LARRY ROUTENBERG, BRUCE TRACHTENBERG will each receive a Shofar Award.
Larry Routenberg is a fourth-generation member of the congregation. He volunteers for catering, delivers mishloach manot, drives for Reyut, helps with annual grounds’ cleanup, grills, serves and, for many years, was a photographer for the congregation’s Carrot Festival.
Bruce Trachtenberg has run Men’s Club’s breakfasts, served as president of Men’s Club, was CAA chairman of security, ushered for high holidays, and has worked the grill at the Carrot Festival.
ARYEH KOREVAAR, The Tzameret Award for Youth Leadership.
The Tzameret Award for Youth Leadership is presented to a graduating high school senior or seniors for their outstanding service to youth programs at CAA and their spirit of volunteerism in the community. Aryeh Korevaar is a member of USY, regularly leads shacharit and musaf, reads Torah on Shabbat and High Holidays, and the Megillah on Purim. He is a student who is passionate about mathematics and music.
Hillary Fink is chairwoman of the program and Julia Eddy and Dan Mayer, and Gilah and Eric Moses are the honorary committee co-chairpersons. The cost to attend the event is $54 ($18 for children ages 5-12, children under 5 are free) and registration is required. The synagogue office at 518-393-9211 can provide details.
