Mensches & Mimosas Tributes

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Last year, JFS had nearly 28,000 client interactions. 
Your support will help us enrich the lives of even more individuals and families.

Meet our honorees!

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Leader

Champion

Congratulations to our dear friend, Rabbi Scott Shpeen, on being chosen as one of this year’s menches. Your contributions to the Capital Region are profound and comprehensive.

~ Best wishes to each mensch
Ilene & Chip Stein, Heather & Corey Kruse,
Jodi & Peter Emmott

Mazel Tov & good wishes to all the deserving honorees!

~ Rabbi Scott Shpeen

Idealist

In Honor of Shelley & Barry Bader

~ Phyllis & Barry Wang

Sheila & Ira Lobel

In Honor of Rabbi Ami Monson & Brenda Sugarman

~ Sandra Rubin

Rabbi Greg & Ashley Weitzman

Mazel Tov Rabbi Scott L. Shpeen and all the deserving honorees.

- Andy & Julie Safranko

Rabbi Shara &
David E. Siegfeld

Kathy & Billy Golderman

Bob & Lauren Finkle

Debbie & Rick Sokoler

In Honor of Rabbi Scott Shpeen

~ Joyce Hellman Bookstein

Mazal Tov to Rabbi Scott L. Shpeen and all the 2025 Honorable Menschen!

~ Judy & Bill Kahn

Mazel tov to the mensches, the backbone of our Jewish Organization Community

~ Joy Davidoff & James Finale

In Honor of Anita Merims

~ Gilah & Eric Moses

Pirkei Avot tells us “do not separate yourself from the community.” Congratulations to all our Menschen for all you do. Your volunteer efforts are infectious, encouraging all of us to be participants in our communities.

Mazel Tov, Esta & Henry Skoburn

Nonprofit Partner

Mazel Tov to our wonderful Anita Merims and to all the amazing & worthy mensches!

Thank you Rabbi Monson for all that you have done for us. We wish you all the best in your future endeavors!

To the 2025 Honorees, we're so proud of the incredible work you are doing! From all your friends at Jewish Federation - Kol HaKarod!

Gilded Honorary Committee

In Honor of ALL HONOREES

~ Jane & Garry Sanders

Heartiest congratulations to Tom Kurkjian, Cecile & Keith Kowalski and Howard Pressman - MENSCHES ALL!

~ Ruth Facher Mendel

Gordon N. Zuckerman

M. Sherry Gold

Thank you Rabbi Monson for all that you have done for us. We wish you all the best in your future endeavors!

~ Frank Simmons

Mazel Tov to Rabbi Shpeen on a well deserved honor.

~ With love,
Amy Solomon & Family

Michael Levine

Yasher koach to our dear friend, Rabbi Shpeen. You are most deserving of this esteeemed award and we are proud to support JFS and you.

~ Marvin & Sherry Freedman

Congratulations Rabbi Shpeen and all other honorees.

~ Carolyn & Bruce
Ginsburg

Mazel Tov to Anita Merims, Rabbi Ami Monson, Rabbi Scott Shpeen, Laura Weisblatt and all the other deserving mensches who model integrity, commitment and love for our whole community.

~ Rachael Besser & Rabbi Rafi Spitzer

We are honored to have been named by Temple Sinai.

~ Barry & Shelley Bader

Mazel Tov to all the mensches in our community!

~ David & Stacy
Cohen

Thank You &
Mazel Tov to all honorees!

~ Jill Goodman & Arthur Malkin

Mazel Tov Elisa, Len & Erica, Keith & Cecile, and Amanda on this well-deserved honor!

~ Mindy & Jesse Holland

Rabbi Shpeen, congratulations on a most well-deserved honor! For all you've done for the Playhouse and our community, we are forever grateful!

~ Owen Smith

Mazel Tov to Sharon Berko and ALL the honorees! Kol Hakavod!!

~ Laura & Ed Jacobs

In Honor of Rabbi Scott Shpeen

~ Michael & Melissa Lurie

Mazel Tov, Kellie!

~ From The Sheingolds

In Honor of Rabbi Scott Shpeen

~ Valerie & Spike Solomon

Mazel Tov to our Congregation Beth Shalom Mensch Brenda Sugarman & Rabbi Ami Monson

~ From Greg & Wendy

Mazel Tov Rabbi Shpeen!

~ Mara Ginsberg & Jeffrey Pohl

Michelle Davidoff

Steven M. Egna

Lauren & Harold Iselin

Richard & Dale Katz

Whoever saves a single life...saves the whole world. Your support has endless echoes. Kol Hakavod!

~ Gail & Joe Sacco

You are what make our community special. Thank you for your generosity and commitment to helping others.

~ Monica Tan &
Stephen Ribner

Mazel tov to Rabbi Shpeen and the incredible mensches, especially our own Rabbi Ami!! What an impact you all have made on our community.
Kol HaKavod.

~ Jane & Lev Ginsburg

Rabbi Scott Shpeen & Family

Bruce & Lisa Finkle

Anita Merims!!
Congrats you are the best!

~ Barrie & Mark Handelman

Julie & Barry Pollack

Mazel Tov! And thanks for all you do!!

~ Lee & Donna Rosen

Julia Rosen & Charlie Braverman

Congratulations Scott for this wonderful honor that has been bestowed on you!

~ Sara Lee & Barry Larner

Congratulations Rabbi Shpeen!

~ Eric M. Larner

Honorary Committee

AE Rosen Electric Co Inc

Joyce Hellman Bookstein

Congregation Agudat
Achim

Karen W. Glaser, Licensed Associate Real Estate Broker Coldwell Banker Prime Properties

Mazel Tov Anita Merims & Rabbi Ami. Good Luck to All!

~ Reeva R. Nowitz

Congratulations Dad/Papa on this well deserved honor.

~ Love, Mike, Floren, Marla and Max

Mazel Tov Rabbi Shpeen and all M&Ms this year.

~ Rabbi Moshe & Rochel Bomzer

Congratulations to Rabbi Scott Shpeen and all the honorees.

~ Joan Danizger

In Honor of ALL HONOREES

~ Melissa Greenberg

Mazel Tov Rabbi Shpeen!

~ Steve & Lori Strong

Mazel Tov to Rabbi Shpeen and honorees on this well deserved award.

~ Jane & Mark Levine

In Honor of Brenda Sugarman

~ BJ & Peter Rosenfeld

Kathy & Billy Golderman

Graypoint LLC

Sheila & Ira Lobel

Sandra Rubin

Rabbi Shara & David E. Siegfeld

Congratulations to the most remarkable teacher, friend, educator and so much more! We love you and are so proud of all of your accomplishments.
In Honor of Rabbi Shpeen

~ Caren Kotlow

In Honor of Rabbi Ami Monson

~ Rabbi Michael & Fani Monson

Mazel Tov Rabbi Ami Monson

~ Uri & Rebekah Monson

TODA RABA תודה רבה
In Honor of Rabbi Shpeen, Rabbi Monson, Howard Pressman & Bram Freedman

~ Jo-Ann Lubinski & Robert Miller

Mazel Tov Rabbi Ami, an easy choice for mensch!

~ Jeannette & Dan Norris

Mazel Tov to all of our esteemed mensches for your dedicated work.

~ Rabbi Dan Ornstein

Mazel Tov to Rabbi Scott Shpeen, an exemplar mensch and to all the Honorable Menschen, each and every one a blessing!

~ Rabbi Zoe B. Zak

Congratulations to Rabbi Scott Shpeen, Mazel Tov! Thank you for all you do & for being you!

~ Cynthia Urbach

Myles B. Fischer

Terry Tyson

Deborah C. Riitano

Ken & Molly Getnick

Johanna Steper

Eli Rabinowitz

Congrats Kellie on your recognition for all the great work you do on behalf of the Albany JCC!

~ Dan Leinung

Hon. John T. McDonald III, Rph

Joyce Teitelman

In Honor of Howard Pressman, Rabbi Ami Monson, Keith & Ceclie Kowalski, and Rabbi Scott Shpeen

~ Nancy & Frank Allen

Congratulation Zvi. Thank you for your volunteerism.

~ Saul & Ellen

Congratulations to all the honorees and thank you for all you do to make this world a better place.

~ Debbie & Jeff Cohen

Nanette &
Arthur
Brenner

Dr. Steven & Karen Fein

Rabbi Shpeen, sending you our heartfelt congratulations on this well deserved award.

~ Jocelyn & Robert Kivort

Mazel Tov to Anita Merims -- a marvelous mensch & special person.

~ Deborah & Gary Goldstein

Mazel Tov to our very special volunteer, Anita Merims and all the 2025 Honorees! Thank you for living up to the true definition of mensch with grace, generosity and heart.

~ Eileen & Jeffrey Handelman

Edward & Lianne Wladis

Phyllis & Barry
Wang

Clara &
Larry
Sanders

Joy Davidoff & James Finale

Bob &
Lauren
Finkle

Mazel Tov to all the honorees! You greatly enrich our community!

~ Karen & Alan Lobel

Thank you and congratulations to Rabbi Shpeen and the 2025 mensches for your leadership and service!

~ Hon. Kathy Sheehan

Cynthia Freedman

Lisa A. Freedman

Congrats to Jayne Architzel & all the 2025 menches!

~ Margo Berch Singer

Congrats to all the wonderful people helping out our community.

~ Leslie & Barry Feinman

Sharon Berko manages the Ohav Sholom effort at the food bank. She cooks breakfast for the homeless on State Street Downtown two mornings a week AND drives for Project 5. What a MENSCH!

~ Bob Gumson

Mazel Tov to Rabbi Shpeen and to all the honorees whose gifts to the community are so appreciated.

~ Robin & Ted Sobol

Mazal Tov Rabbi Ami Monson, Laura Weisblatt, Amanda Aussem-Poskanzer and all the honorees!

~ Jody & Reed Ference

Mazel Tov to Rabbi Shpeen and all the deserving honorees. More than ever our world needs mensches like all of you!

~ Jan Reiss-Weitzman and Richard Bass

Congratulations to ALL the Mensches-especially Amanda Aussems-Poskanzer, Susie Caplan and Laura Weisblatt.

~ Ungerman Electric

Mazel tov to all the 2025 Mensches!

~ Michelle Ostrelich & Howard Schlossberg

Mazel Tov to all of our "home-grown" Mensches! Aren't we blessed to have people like you in the Capital District!!

~ Ellen & Jack Kaplowitz

Congratulations to all my fellow honorees! Together we help make this a wonderful community.

~ Anita Merims

Mazel Tov to all the honorees!

~ Linda M. Schechter

Rabbi Rena & Dr. Shalom Kieval

Robyn & Ed Marinstein

So proud of Anita Merims who gave her heart to our community.

~ Bette Kraut

Leo & Marth Levy

Mazel Tov to all the honorees!

~ Ellen Sax

Barbara A. Wachs

Herman Ungerman

Ira Zackon, MD

You enrich our community in so many ways! Mazel Tov!

~ The Grabers

Mazel Tov to Anita Merims for this well-deserved honor. She's remarkable, bright, informed, community-minded, compassionate, selfless and a caring friend to all.

~ Very fondly, Risè & Larry Routenberg

Ilene & Jerry Sykes

Debbie & Rick Sokoler

Ilene & Chip Stein

Judy & Bill Kahn

The University of Albany Foundation

Todah Rabah for all of the years you cared for our community here and in Israel. May you go from strength to strength.

~ Susie & Howard Caplan

Lara Kassel & Michael Seereiter

In Honor of Zvi Klopott

~ Jodie Cohen

In Honor of Rabbi Scott Shpeen

~ Margie & Rob Dorkin

Mazel Tov to Rabbi Shpeen and to all the 2025 mensches on this well deserved honor.

~ Kerryn Kent

Temple Israel

Abby Nash

Congrats & thanks to Rabbi Shpeen & all the mensches.

~ Nancy & Steven Lerner

Congratulations All!!!!!

~ Beth & Barry Davis

Judy Avner & Steve Eckert

Janis
Cohen

LaMarche Safranko Law PLLC

Gavin & Karen Setzen

Greypoint LLC

Jewish Federation of Northeastern New York

Cheryl & Barry Kogan

Mazel Tov to all the honorees for the time and effort you give to the community. May you go from strength to strength. L’chayim!

~ Carol & Stewart Kriss

Larry J. Greenberg

Jean & Marty Kaback

Gilah & Eric Moses

Rabbi Greg & Ashley Weitzman

Henry & Esta Skoburn

Donors

Yasher koach Ami - you are a dugma to all!!!

~ Lorna Rosenberg

To Anita Merims who seems to be everywhere, every time all at once. She will be missed when she moves.

~ Robin & Ron Scharf

Mazel tov! A well deserved honor! In Honor of Keith & Cecile Kowalski

~ Joanne & Bob Schnee

In honor of Jayne Architzel and the work she has done in our community.

~ Judith Vener

Well Deserved! In Honor of Dr. Dina Gottesman & Daniel Reznick

~ Robert Crystal

Mazel Tov Rabbi Ami Monson from your new family at Congregation Beth El of Bucks County.

Dear Rabbi, thank you for all that you do. It has been a pleasure getting to know you.

~ Love, Mimi Becker

Congratulations to Elisa Harrington-Verb and all the honorees. Thank you for supporting the community!

~ Jonathan Rubin

Mazel Tov Bram Freedman, for all that you do for Temple Israel.

~ With love and appreciation, Ellen & Rick Schwartz

Mazel tov! A well deserved honor! In Honor of Erica & Len Berger

~ Joanne & Bob Schnee

Jane Architzel, for her dedication and good work at Berith Sholom.

~ Audrey Seidman

Mazel Tov on being named a mensch! In Honor of Bram Freedman

~ Deborah & Jonathan Carp Stayman

Congratulations to Rabbi Monson for your dedication to the senior community of the Capital District and your contribution to Congregation Beth Shalom.

~ Brenda Sugarman

In Honor of Rabbi Scott Shpeen

~ Doreen & Larry Smith

Mazel Tov to Rabbi Shpeen and the mensches!!

~ Marion Greenberg

Mazel Tov on this recognition of your important work Sharon, Susie, Zvi and Howard.

~ Margery & Alan Zucker

Jane Architzel, for her dedication and good work at Berith Sholom.

~ Audrey Seidman

Mazel Tov Bram, from the Flax family. You truly are a mensch!

~ Judith Flax

Sharon Berko

Steve (Cyril) & Barbara Newman

Gail Donnor

Mazel Tov Mensch Barney Horowitz!

~ Franklin Goldberger

The Capital District Board of Rabbis and Cantors congratulates our colleagues Rabbi Scott Shpeen and Rabbi Amiel Monson on their respective honors. Mazel Tov!

~ Boaz Marmon

Mazel Tov! Laura Weisblatt and Sharon Berko!

~ Evelyn & Miles Garfinkel Loeb

In Honor of the 2025 Mensches

~ Cheryl & Scott Burack

Mazel Tov to our cousin Rabbi Amiel Monson! You have made so many lives better through your work in the JFS of Northeastern New York region. What a joy your creative and entertaining holiday programs have been for the Senior community! We are very proud of you and the legacy of good deeds you leave.

~ With love and admiration,
Shari & Ted Baran, Nancy & David Weiss, Debra & Gary Weil, James & Lisa Schlesinger Philanthropic Fund