Esther & Paul Lerer, Guests of Honor
Esther and Paul have lived in Englewood for almost 33 years joining CAT in 1989. They are proud parents of Jessica & Danny (Yunger), Adam & Nurit, Bianca & David (Pineles) and Marlon and their nine grandchildren.
They feel privileged and proud to have both their daughters raising their families in Englewood where they grew up.
From the moment Esther arrived, she immersed herself in the community wearing many hats and titles throughout the years. An active member of the Board of Trustees for several decades, she has been Co-President of SCAT, and Co-Chair of our Annual Dinner multiple times. She has Co-Chaired the SCAT Aishet Chayal dinners and the Rabbi & Barbara Goldin Sefer Torah Dedication. One of the highlights of her community involvement is her success as Chair of Englewood’s Israel Bonds Campaign. Esther serves as VP for Sinai Schools and is a national officer for the American Committee for Shaarei Zedek Medical Center in Jerusalem. She is on the EC of Emunah of America and serves on the board of overseers for the Moriah School and is a long-time board member of Woman’s Philanthropy at the Jewish Federation of NNJ.
Paul is a senior practicing Gastroenterologist at Atlantic Health Care at Overlook Hospital in Summit, NJ, and a past president of the Gastro Surgery Center in Mountainside NJ. He has been recognized by his medical peers during the almost 40 years he has been in private practice.
Paul has been involved with the Chazan committee over the decades and served as chair of the Rabbinical search committee for Rabbinical intern and Assistant Rabbi. A reliable Baal Koreh, he has the honor of laining each year on Yom Kippur in the Main sanctuary. Paul has also served on the Religious Services Committee and the tzedakah committee at CAT. He also served as a member of the education committees at both Frisch and Moriah Schools.
Together they cherish their involvements and relationships in the CAT community as they witness the continued growth of our Synagogue.
Danielle & Asaf Tamir, Sephardic Leadership Award
Danielle and Asaf Tamir are proud parents of Remy, Bella and Jonah. They have lived in Englewood for 16 years and are devoted members of the Benaroya Sephardic Center and the overall Ahavath Torah Synagogue. Danielle currently works at Frisch as an executive assistant to the principal. Asaf works at Cross River Bank in finance.
Besides for family, friends, and work, Shul is where they spend a large part of their time connecting with בורא עולם and their community.
Danielle is a past Board Member of Congregation Ahavath Torah and for the last 9 years has been volunteering for CAT security. Asaf currently serves on the CAT Board of Trustees as well as the Finance Committee, and is a past President of the Benaroya Sephardic Center.
Daniela & Zev Gontownik, Young Leadership Award
Daniela and Zev Gontownik have been active members of the Englewood and Ahavath Torah community since 2009. Over the last thirteen years the couple has been integral to the growth of the congregation, with Zev serving as a member of the Board of Trustees, religious services committee, and as a leader of CAT's Security. Additionally, Daniela has served as a past chair of the Sisterhood Wine & Whisky Event for many years, and has organized and distributed hundreds of new mother meals for the Sisterhood.
The couple are parents to Ruthie (12), Ava (10) Nora. (8), Sylvia (6), and Jacob (3) who are proud members of the CAT youth programs and attend Zev’s alma mater The Moriah School.
Jeffrey Gdanski, Community Service Award
Jeffrey moved to Englewood 25 years ago when he married Ilana. They have four daughters Sara, Menucha, Goldie and Lili. Sara was recently married at CAT to Moshe Cohen and now Ilana and Jeffery are Grandparents to baby Malkie. Jeff has worked in real estate development and construction in New York City and has used his expertise to help CAT together with others, with the building of the Mikva. He recently helped CAT and both the Poupko’s and Kuessous’ with the construction of their houses.
Elysha Rothstein, Community Service Award
Elysha has lived in Englewood since 2005 with her husband Andrew and their three children Leo, Cece and Juliet. She attended Columbia Engineering where she received a BS in Civil Engineering and received her professional engineering license in 2018. She currently works at Nucor Skyline, a steel manufacturing company.
In the past, Elysha has volunteered for the CAT sisterhood and the Moriah Association of Parents. She recently assisted with the construction of both the Poupko’s and the Kuessous’s houses. Elysha is thankful for the wonderful community in Englewood, especially her neighbor and partner in crime, Jeff Gdanski.