Our Leadership
Leadership is the catalyst that creates unity, trust and inspiration within an organization. The founders of Chavurat Emet served as past presidents of synagogues, CEOs of businesses, fund-raisers, educators, honorees, attorneys, business and synagogue board members and yes, parents and grandparents.
Our first Chavurah Board Chairperson was Curt Lader. There was no question that he was the one person who had the capability of making this circle of friends a functioning organization. His leadership style was influenced by a belief that by working cooperatively with people and delegating responsibility success could be achieved. His knowledge of procedure, expertise as an educator, experience as a past president of a synagogue and three other prestigious organizations, and his calm and direct demeanor created unity and direction. Under his able leadership organization’s by-laws were put into place and issues were resolved by establishing consensus rather than by formal voting. The result of his leadership was respect and warmth amongst its board membership and the growth of our organization. He served as chairperson for 3 years.
Jo Ann Katz accepted the chair position for the next 3 years. She introduced a new dimension of creativity and social action to our Chavurat. She came from a background committed to Jewish organizations as well as to charitable and political causes and has continued that commitment into her adult life. Her contribution to the Chavurah has been enormous as she is multitalented in acting, directing, and management. She is also a highly experienced and successful businesswoman. She is responsible for creating “The Not Quite Ready for Off Broadway Players” which is our in-house theater group presenting shows for our membership. One of her special projects was acquiring the Chavurat Emet Memorial Board. During her final year as chairperson, she encouraged each Board member to serve as a temporary chair. Her trust in each one of the members to share this important obligation resulted in a team that believes that working together we can accomplish almost anything.
Milton Cohen became our third chairperson in 2009. The organization is benefiting from his 35 years of business experience in marketing, research, and advertising. He came into this position with a mission to communicate more effectively with our own members and with the community as a whole. The development of our new website, expanding the Chavurah’s social action program and fiscal responsibility are all part of his agenda. His membership profile study led to a creative advertising campaign that resulted in increased membership. His commitment to our Chavurah was evident early in our history when he and his wife Olga donated their facility as our first home, Beit Chavurah. It was their generosity that helped us begin and it is under his direction that we will continue to grow.
Arthur Podwall became our fourth chairperson in June, 2011. Arthur, a founding member of our Chavurah, believes that the Chavurah fulfills a need in our Jewish community. Arthur and his wife, Marcia, with the support of friends and family were responsible for bringing us our First Torah, which was purchased in memory of his father-in-law, Jack Melzer. The Torah dedication was a community event that firmly established our Chavurah. Each year, Arthur continued to fulfill ritual responsibilities and enlightened us at a High Holiday Service, with an interesting speech. Arthur has been a resident and an audiologist/speech pathologist in our community for more than 40 years. He has a practice in Nassau County (Syosset Speech and Hearing Center) and Suffolk County (Arthur Podwall, Ph.D. & Associates). He has served on the State Board for Speech Pathology and Audiology, has published and has earned national recognition of the high clinical standards in his practice. Arthur’s intellect, kindness and commitment to his family, friends and community, make him the right person to bring this Chavurah into the next decade.
Chavurat Emet's 10th Anniversary year welcomes our new Chairperson, Len Feldman. Len has been a leader in the Jewish community of Smithtown since 1980 and one of the original founders of our Chavurah. The Chavurah is grateful for his many years of service, particularly his legal expertise. He also functioned as recording secretary and shared the important ritual role of assigning honors with past Chairperson, Arthur Podwall. Len moved his law practice to Smithtown in 1988, and is most proud that his daughter, Jodi, became a partner in 2004. His daughter, Kari and son-in-law, Gavin, live in Manhattan with sons Ethan and Brody. Len's wife of 44 years, Arlene, serves on our Board and is an Associate Dean at Stony Brook University. Len is committed to his family, his friends, his practice and is a consistent strong supporter of our organization. He said that his goal is to "ensure the future of our organization by encouraging more members to participate in leadership roles." He believes that "a continued Jewish presence in our community must be preserved." We are most fortunate to have him lead the Chavurah into its next decade.
Ken Greene is our sixth chairperson. Prior to his chairmanship Ken and his wife Anita have been avid supporters of the Chavurat and members for many years. Both serve on the Board of Trustees and have done so through several administrations. Ken is a business leader on Long Island heading up Magniflood, Inc. a manufacturer of unique lighting fixtures in North Amityville, New York. Many municipalities in Nassau and Suffolk Counties as well as the City of New York and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey are among the customers of Magniflood. Anita as well as their son Jason are also very much involved in making Magniflood a great success. Ken and Anita’s daughter Tobi and her husband Henrik, Manhattan residents, are both physicians. Tobi has been an oncological breast surgeon in New Jersey and now runs a consulting practice helping people navigate through the process of serious disease and treatments easing their concerns and anxiety. Henrik is a psychiatrist in Manhattan. Ken’s business acumen and organization skills helped the Chavurat continue on its mission of serving the Jewish community. During Ken’s tenure a second torah was acquired through the generous donations of several members including Ken and Anita. Ken strived to get better participation from the membership. He also sought to involve the Chavurat in activities that would help to increase membership. The Chavurat was lucky to have Ken at the helm.
Benjie Plotch became the 7th and current chairperson in 2019. He has guided the Chavurat through some very challenging times - including Covid-19 and the first search for a spiritual leader since 2003. He is the first chair who was not an original member of the Chavurat Emet - his background includes memberships in multiple Chavurot in NYC and he has travelled throughout the northeast US for Chavurat conferences and gatherings. He has chanted Haftorahs and led discussions of Shabbat Divrei Torah and is a strong advocate for Chavurah members sharing the davening and other liturgical functions as much as possible. He believes in leading by consensus and is a Software Developer married to Laurel Hoffman. Their blended family of three sons include Jeremy the Rabbi, Aaron the Service Manager at a successful car dealership, and Simeon the student studying Cyber Security.
Bernice Polinsky:
I am delighted to join Linda Parker as co-president of Chavurat Emet.
For over 20 years, Chavurat Emet Shabbat and holiday celebrations have been a part my life with ever present warmth and a welcoming environment.
I have so many fond memories from the beautiful and joyous Torah dedication, the fun and delicious dine arounds, our trip to the holocaust exhibit at the Museum of Jewish Heritage, entertaining defensive driving classes and a star billing for the cellists performing a moving Kol Nidre Services on Yom Kippur. This is just a partial list of the many activities created by our creative and dedicated Chavurat Emet board.
Linda Parker:
It is my pleasure to begin our 20th year (along with Bernice Polinsky) as co-Chairwomen of Chavurat Emet.
I have been a member of the Chavurat since its inception and have enjoyed experiencing our evolution through these two decades.
The pandemic changed the way we worshipped - ZOOM in lieu of personal services and meetings, but the connection we have to one another became even stronger. Remember the joy of our in-person meet the Rabbi? And being able to elbow bump the folks you're prayed with over the years?!! Our Shabbat Barbecue and service at the Podwall's and just the other night, our beautiful service above the beach in Fort Salonga....Rabbi Marcey has added a new dimension to our chavurah and I can't wait to share the up-coming High Holidays with all of you.
The Board of TrusteesArlene & Len Feldman |