B’nai Torah Shul, Greenwood Lake:
Marc Appelbaum & Deniz Appelbaum
Congregation Agudas Israel, Newburgh:
Betsy Solomon
Congregation Beth Hillel/WJCC, Walden:
Arthur Carroad
Congregation Eitz Chaim, Monroe:
David Fromowitz & Judy Ronay

Jewish Federation of Greater Orange County, Past Presidents:
Harvey Kallus 2019-2022
Carla Wise 2017-2019
Leslie Green 2015-2017
Abbe Distelburger 2013-2015
Gail Oliver 2011-2013
Jack Berkowitz 2009-2011
Steve Rubinsky 2007-2009
Mark Fink 2005-2007
Raena Korenman 2003-2005
Dr. William Cieplinski 2001-2003
Dr. Joseph Birnbaum z’l 1999-2001
Mona Rieger 1997-99
Marsha Sobel 1995-97
Dr. William Cieplinski 1993-95
Andrea Dubroff 1991-93
Richard Levin z’l 1989-91
Harold Levine z’l 1987-89
Norman Hecht z’l 1985-87
Gerald Kreisberg z’l 1983-85
Jack Slobod 1981-83
Chuck Mullin z’l 1979-81
Florence Levine z’l 1977-79
George Handler z’l 1975-77

Jewish Family Services, Orange County:
Marc Spirko 
Kol Yisrael, Newburgh:
Steve Licker
Monroe Hadassah:
Maria Rabinowitz
Monroe Temple Beth-El Sisterhood:
Vicki Kilanowski
Monroe Temple Beth-El:
Paul Joseph & Nina Rubin
Newburgh Jewish Community Center:
Sam Ottenhoff
Temple Beth Jacob, Newburgh:
Reverend Dr. Mary Lou Baumgartner
Temple Beth Jacob Sisterhood:
Stacey Yerger
Temple Beth Shalom, Florida & Monroe Temple Beth-El:
The Mitzvah Moms!
Loryn Sotsky
Melissa Kleinman
Gail Hoffer-Loibl
Joanna Buckley
Elizabeth Frederick
Bethanie Quatrale
Felicia Gell
Natalie Browne
Davida Kossar
Temple Beth Shalom Sisterhood: 
Judy Potter
Temple Beth Shalom Men’s Club:
Jon Gottlieb
Temple Sinai, Middletown:
Lester Millman

B’nai Torah Shul, GWL:
Marc Appelbaum and Deniz Appelbaum
Marc Appelbaum and Deniz Appelbaum embody a lifelong dedication to service, leadership, and commitment to the Jewish community. Their contributions have never been about recognition, but rather about showing up consistently, helping others, and giving back because they truly care.
Marc has spent decades dedicating his time and energy to his community, always willing to step forward when help was needed. He has a deep compassion for people, especially the underdog, and throughout his life he has been someone who genuinely fights for others. At 85 years old, still actively working and continuing to contribute, his commitment to service remains unwavering. As a father of three, he has always led through action, integrity, resilience, and heart.
His connection to the Jewish community of Greenwood Lake runs through generations. His mother was one of the founders of the Jewish community there, creating roots that shaped his lifelong attachment to the synagogue and the community itself. For him, it has always represented far more than a place of worship; it has been a source of family, history, responsibility, and belonging.
Alongside him, Deniz Appelbaum has devoted countless hours helping organize and strengthen the financial and operational side of community efforts, often taking on the difficult behind-the-scenes work that keeps organizations stable and moving forward. In addition to her volunteer service, Deniz is an accomplished professor and researcher with numerous published articles and lectures presented to the Federal Reserve and other prominent financial institutions. Despite the demands and long hours of their professional lives, both Marc and Deniz have continually found time to support the Jewish community and causes close to their hearts.
Even during Marc’s cancer treatment, his dedication to responsibility and service never stopped. He continued working throughout his treatments with remarkable determination, while Deniz remained steadfastly by his side with love and support. At the same time, she continued dedicating herself to helping organize and manage important financial matters within the community with care, commitment, and attention few people ever fully see.
Over the decades, Marc and Deniz have also made it a priority to bring awareness to the importance of combating antisemitism through education, advocacy, leadership, and community involvement. Their dedication reflects not only love for the Jewish community, but also a deep desire to preserve understanding, connection, and respect for future generations.
What makes Marc and Deniz especially deserving of this recognition is the consistency and heart behind everything they do. They have never sought praise or attention for their efforts. They simply believe in helping, contributing, and standing by their community whenever they are needed. Together, they represent generosity, resilience, leadership, and a true spirit of service.

Congregation Agudas Israel:
Betsy Solomon
Betsy joined CAI in January 2013, soon after she and Klaus moved to New Windsor. She served for several years as secretary of the CAI Board, she is still an active member of the Board, and she has been head of the Ritual Committee ever since she agreed many years ago to serve in that position “temporarily”.
Betsy is a retired elementary school teacher, mother of 2 sons, and grandmother of 3. She is married to Klaus, who has always supported her efforts, including the building of 2 full-size inflatable whales with her fifth grade classes.
Betsy went back to playing classical music on her beloved vintage Steinway over a decade ago, and she volunteers at the piano in St. Luke's Hospital lobby most Wednesday mornings while Klaus serves as page turner. Betsy loves to travel, and since living in Israel for 3 years, she has been to all 7 continents, kayaking in both the Arctic and Antarctic, rock climbing in Yosemite, and scuba diving in the Great Barrier Reef. Last summer, she and Klaus rafted the entire Colorado River through Grand Canyon, an unforgettable experience which most likely accelerated her need for a new right hip. 

Congregation Beth Hillel/WJCC:
Arthur Carroad
Congregation Beth Hillel/Walden Jewish Community Center is honored to recognize Arthur Carroad as our 2026 Federation Volunteer of the Year. Arthur has been part of Congregation Beth Hillel for his entire life, with roots that run deep in the Walden Jewish community.
Arthur embodies the qualities we all admire and strive for: kindness, humility, dedication, loyalty, and a quiet, steadfast spirit. He is the kind of person who simply shows up, without fanfare, because he cares and is proud of his Jewish heritage and of our synagogue.
And Arthur always shows up. On a cold, rainy day just weeks ago, he was there helping to clean out our musty basement. He helped plan WJCC’s 100th Anniversary celebration. Even as attendance at services has changed over the years, Arthur is there—to pray, to set up, to clean up, and to support whoever needs it. His presence brings comfort and continuity to our community.
We are grateful for all that Arthur has given to our shul. It is a privilege to honor him and to say thank you.

Congregation Eitz Chaim:
David Fromowitz and Judy Ronay

Judy Ronay
After retiring from Middletown City School District as a Pre-engineering teacher, Judy became Director of Zachor Antisemitism Initiative for Greater Orange Co NY Jewish Federation. Judy has Master of Arts from NYU/ICP in Photography and Communications, and a NY State Teacher Certification in Visual Arts and Technology Education.
Judy’s greatest achievement and joy is being the proud Mom of Jeremy and Arielle, and soon to be mother-in-law/חמות of Arieh. My children work and study in the fields of social and environmental justice and are committed to honoring their Jewish faith.
Judy’s parents of blessed memory, Susan & Michael Ronay, were Hungarian and Czechoslovakian Jewish survivors of the Shoah. They were interned in forced slave labor camps, death marches, Penig/Buchenwald, Ravensbrück and Mauthusen concentration camps.
Despite their heroic moral and physical resistance, Judy’s paternal grandparents, Rachel & Joseph, three uncles, an aunt, and scores of extended family were enslaved, tortured and murdered in Auschwitz, Hungary and Germany during the Holocaust. Upon liberation, and after devastating losses– like so many other survivors– her parents did not succumb to despair. They built new productive and creative lives, and used every opportunity to lovingly educate their three children, seven grandchildren, and community.
They taught their family to cherish freedom, humanity and nature; and to stand up against bigotry, antisemitism, racism and hatred of any kind. Her parents would now have six wise and handsome great-grandsons. Her families inherited a painful yet inspirational heritage, and Judy continues to honor and bring justice to all who cannot speak for them.
Currently, Judy works and volunteers for Jewish Federation, the Monroe Yom Hashoah Committee, the Jerome Spector Social Action Committee, Sisterhood, Hadassah and Congregation Eitz Chaim. Her community helps in supporting new immigrants and the people and institutions of Israel. She also supports women’s reproductive rights.
New York Magazine, the Village Voice, Moment Magazine and the Miami Herald are just some of the news and literary publications that carried Judy’s work. She has exhibited and lectured at Cathedral of Saint John the Divine, Graduate School of the City of New York, New York University, 92^nd Street "Y", NY Abraham Goodman House, and several synagogues and schools in New York, Florida and Budapest.
In order to obtain data and photographic images for a Master’s thesis and a working manuscript, Portraits of Children of Jewish Holocaust Survivors, Judy has traveled throughout Europe, the US and Israel. For pleasure, she has hiked and photographed in over 30 National Parks. Judy hopes to continue traveling with family, partner, friends & her pup, Mezy!

David Fromowitz (written by his loving mother)
David has always been a very serious and focused fellow. As a child, I often referred to him as our “40 year old toddler”. He has always accepted opportunities to help out and took those responsibilities seriously whether they were school assignments or watching his younger brother. This trait has been a part of David’s personality throughout his years in his profession as a CPA and partner in a major accounting firm and as a member of Congregation Eitz Chaim. As a member for over 20 years, David has served on the Board of Trustees and as Treasurer of the synagogue. He is a regular Sabbath davener and leads the Service’s opening prayers. David is a Gabbai for the Torah Service and reads Torah and Haftorah in the absence of a Rabbi. David has and continues to support Congregation Eitz Chaim and in turn, they honor him with this recognition.

Jewish Federation of Greater Orange County, Past Presidents:
Harvey Kallus 2019-2022
Carla Wise 2017-2019
Leslie Green 2015-2017
Abbe Distelburger 2013-2015
Gail Oliver 2011-2013
Jack Berkowitz 2009-2011
Steve Rubinsky 2007-2009
Mark Fink 2005-2007
Raena Korenman 2003-2005
Dr. William Cieplinski 2001-2003
Dr. Joseph Birnbaum z’l 1999-2001
Mona Rieger 1997-99
Marsha Sobel 1995-97
Dr. William Cieplinski 1993-95
Andrea Dubroff 1991-93
Richard Levin z’l 1989-91
Harold Levine z’l 1987-89
Norman Hecht z’l 1985-87
Gerald Kreisberg z’l 1983-85
Jack Slobod 1981-83
Chuck Mullin z’l 1979-81
Florence Levine z’l 1977-79
George Handler z’l 1975-77

Jewish Family Services:
Marc Spirko
Although Marc has been volunteering for about a year, the impact he has made in a relatively short time is truly remarkable. Since joining our volunteer team, Marc has contributed an astounding 402.5 hours of service. During that time, he has completed 222 shopping trips, transportation rides, and friendly visits for our neighbors aged 60 and older.
Even more impressive is the number of lives he has touched. Marc’s service has directly benefited 27 individuals, each of whom has experienced the care, support, and companionship that he brings to every interaction.

Kol Yisrael:
Steve Licker
Steve, along with his wife, Robin, has been an active member of Congregation Agudas Israel for 46 years. He has been on the CAI Board of Directors for most of that time, while holding many leadership positions, including Men’s Club president, Hebrew School Board president, Chairman of the Board, and Board President. For the past 8 years, Steve has been on the Kol Yisrael Board of Directors, including a year as Kol Board President. During the COVID pandemic, he spearheaded the technology infrastructure that allowed Kol Yisrael and its partner organizations to successfully continue their missions remotely and safely upon returning to in-person programming.
More recently, Steve has led the Kol Yisrael Technology Committee in providing a significant Audio/Video/Remote capability for both sanctuaries in the Kol Yisrael building, which is planned to be installed in the coming months. Steve's lifelong dedication to the congregation and to Kol Yisrael is the embodiment of what we try to achieve through community-building missions.

Monroe Hadassah:
Maria Rabinowitz
It is with great honor and privilege that Monroe Hadassah nominates Maria Rabinowitz as our Volunteer of the Year. Maria became a Hadassah member and a Monroe Hadassah board member just 8 years ago. She started out as our hospitality chair, and then became at-large for a period to take care of her ailing husband Marty. Her Hadassah membership is Silver Chai Society, and she is a Monroe Hadassah Heroine donor. She recently became our social secretary and our Cards & Certificates chair, increasing sales exponentially. We look forward to her input at our monthly board meetings and her kosher recipes at our monthly membership meetings. She is especially appreciative of the support of her Hadassah “sisters” since Marty’s passing just over a year ago. In his memory, she often wears her Endless Beginnings necklace, which has the quote from Hadassah’s founder, Henrietta Szold, “There is no ending that is not a beginning."
Maria decided to convert to Judaism in 1978 after she met and married Marty Rabinowitz. Marty considered himself a “holiday Jew” then, but he encouraged her desire to have a kosher home, declaring, “ a contented wife makes a happy life.” The two of them became staunch supporters of Jewish culture and religion. They lived for a time in Brooklyn NY, where she worked as an elementary school teacher, before moving to Monroe. Maria is proud to support Chabad of Orange County, Monroe Temple Beth El, and Eitz Chaim, as well as Jewish Federation.

Monroe Temple Beth-El Sisterhood:
Vicki Kilanowski
Vicki believes in community service. Volunteers are the lifeblood of communities, and Vicki truly tries to be there for Monroe Temple Sisterhood whether it is as their treasurer, email sender or Facebook poster. Her and her family’s service does not stop at Sisterhood, but extends to Monroe Temple Beth-El, and in the past, to the greater local community. The Monroe Temple Sisterhood treasures having Vicki as our treasurer, it would be impossible to fill her shoes.

Monroe Temple Beth-El:
Paul Joseph and Nina Rubin
Paul is a longtime member of Monroe who is currently working with our merger team to sort out the details related to our physical move from Monroe to Temple Beth Shalom. He is coordinating the efforts of the team sorting out what we are bringing with us, where it is going, and how we will store any important items that don’t fit into our new shared space at TBS. Paul also manages security for our Temple year round, serving as the liaison with our security company who provide guards for services, religious school and events. Paul’s sense of humor and calm demeanor are helping us manage a time of tremendous transition for our congregation.
Nina is also a long time member of our congregation and she has provided her musical talents during services, leading regular lay-led Chavurah services, and filling in when our Rabbi was unavailable. In addition Nina is leading the task of collaborating with our Temple Beth Shalom counterparts and Rabbi to create a High Holiday service for our blended congregations that marries the traditions of both synagogues in a way that will nourish all of our spirits. We are incredibly grateful for all of the time, effort, talent, and ruach that Nina brings to this task.

Newburgh Jewish Community Center:
Sam Ottenhoff
Sam Ottenhoff is a Newburgh resident, entrepreneur, and business founder. He co-founded Longsight, an education technology company serving colleges and universities across the country. Sam and his wife, Naomi, renovated a historic home in Newburgh, where they are raising their two daughters. After years as a highly active parent volunteer, Sam joined the Newburgh JCC board of directors and has spent the past year working on policies, rules, compliance, and benefits for the organization, as well as technological and digital improvements to general operations. He is proud to support the JCC, Little Friends Learning Loft, and the families it serves.

Temple Beth Jacob:
Reverend Dr. Mary Lou Baumgartner
Pastor Mary Lou Baumgartner has been serving at King of Kings since 2009. A graduate of St. Olaf College (Northfield, MN) and Luther Seminary (St. Paul, MN), she also attended the Japanese Missionary Language Institute and the Japan Lutheran Theological Seminary (Tokyo, Japan). She served internships in Los Angeles, CA and Edina, MN. In 2020 she earned the degree of Doctor of Ministry at Luther Seminary. Prior to coming to King of Kings she was the pastor of Salem Lutheran Church (Toledo, OH) for two decades.
At King of Kings, Pastor Mary Lou preaches and leads worship, oversees their educational programming, supports congregational teams in their ministries, and coaches’ leaders. She is available for individual and family pastoral care in homes, nursing homes, etc. as well as for baptisms, weddings, and funerals. Committed to ministry in the community as well as in the congregation, Pastor Mary Lou currently serves as the Secretary of the Greater Newburgh Interfaith Council and as the Dean of the Delaware-Hudson Conference of the Metro New York Synod of the ELCA.

Temple Beth Jacob Sisterhood:
Stacey Yerger
Stacey and her family have been active members of Temple Beth Jacob and the sister Kol Yisrael partners for a very long time!
After her children grew up and moved out, Stacey turned her volunteer energy to the TBJ sisterhood where she is an active part of this vibrant group.
She helps plan the events, always on the lookout for new fun events, is one of the first to volunteer and does a majority of the unseen background work to make the events seamless to participants.
She shops - making sure to get the right products at the right price and ensures the events have the right touch of yiddishket and elegance.

Temple Beth Shalom & Monroe Temple Beth-El:
The Mitzvah Moms!
Loryn Sotsky | Melissa Kleinman
Gail Hoffer-Loibl  | Joanna Buckley
Elizabeth Frederick | Bethanie Quatrale
Felicia Gell | Natalie Browne | Davida Kossar
This school year, our joint school program known as Beit Sefer has a B'Nei Mitzvah class of 10 students. The Moms of this group of students have banded together, and formed the most wonderful support group imaginable! From planning and attending each other's B'Nei Mitzvah ceremonies, to coordinating setup, service, clean-up and breakdown of Onegs - this group of fantastic Moms have truly been there for each other and we applaud your sense of Community. To this great group of Mitzvah Mom's... this 'Momosa' is for you!

Temple Beth Shalom Sisterhood:
Judy Potter
Temple Beth Shalom Sisterhood recognizes Judy Jonas Potter as our volunteer of the year. Judy grew up in Orange County and along with her husband John and three daughters Madelyn, Hailey and Sydney have been members of Temple Beth Shalom for many years. Judy and her family live in Minisink. Judy has taken on an active role at our temple. Judy is our TBS Sisterhood Executive Board treasurer. Judy and her family is a wonderful asset to our temple. Judy is always there to lend a hand at any and all temple functions. She is truly deserving of the award of sisterhood volunteer of the year

Temple Beth Shalom Men’s Club:
Jon Gottlieb
For over a decade, Jon and I have been Co-Presidents of the TBS Men's Club. The 'Men of the Bagel and Schmear' have evolved over the years, ebbed and flowed, have gone Co-Ed at times - might I add successfully so! Jon has been my wing man in planning events ranging from: brewery visits, bowling nights, ice hockey games at West Point, barbecues, burritos & billiards and so much more! We honor Jon as he has shown dedication to TBS, and personally as my right hand man - and really great friend.
A big toast at the fire pit to Jon - L'Chayim!

Temple Sinai:
Lester Millman
Lester Millman is a national and international award-winning photojournalist. He worked in Israel from 1973 to 1980 with assignments for Time, Newsweek, and most major American and European publications. He was also on the staff on the Jerusalem Post. During those good years he covered two wars, 50 terrorist attacks, Israeli national politics and Israeli daily life. He was captured by the Egyptians in 1974. He has covered 8 U. S. Presidents. When he moved back to the states in 1980, he bought out an old photography business in White Plains, NY. Lester was mainly doing family, business and aerial photography. Also, he often worked for Jewish Week to illustrate their articles and continued his journalism career. Lester was hired by the State of New York in 1997 and worked there until 2007. Because of work with the State he was at Ground Zero from the first night of the September 11th attack until the cleanup 'March Out' in May of 2002. Mr. Millman was awarded a Bachelor of Science degree in photojournalism by the SUNY Empire State College. He learned photography at the Germain School of Photography. He was married for 35 years, has 3 adult children and 4 grandchildren. Lester Millman moved to Middletown in 2016 joined Temple Sinai and began daily attendance at the morning minyan. The move from Rye was prompted by his daughter Raheli, and her family's purchase of 20 acres in Campbell Hall. Also, his daughter Sarah moved from Yonkers to Yorktown with her family. His son Micha, a Sabra, lives in Pennsylvania. Lester is a volunteer fire fighter with the Middletown Fire Department. Lester was on his way to visit his son when he heard the news report of the slaughter at the Tree-Of-Life synagogue in Pittsburgh. He turned around and arrived back at the synagogue in time to speak with the Middletown police when they promised to take care of us. The next morning, October 28, 2018 he self-assigned to guard the Hebrew School, a role he has continued as a volunteer for the last 7 years. He has served on the Temple board for security since that time. For his guarding service he was honored by the Men's Clubs of Orange and Rockland Counties.