Congregation Beth Abraham’s annual dinner on Wednesday, June 15 will honor two deserving couples and kickstart the final stage of the fundraising campaign for the Bergenfield shul’s major expansion. Sheva and Dov Adler are the guests of honor, and Debra and Avi Glanzman are receiving the Max and Magda Sternbach MiDor L’ Dor Community Service Award. “The dinner every year is an opportunity to come together as a shul, get to know each other and pay tribute to worthy honorees,” said President Michael Wiederkehr. “This year, we also want to highlight our building campaign, to which both couples are connected.”
Adler is the chair of the Capital Campaign, which has raised over $5 million. “Dov has fantastic energy and is really able to galvanize people to give to the best of their ability,” said Wiederkehr. The Adlers have been members of CBA since 2001 and have four children. Dov has been a longtime board member and executive board member at CBA, serving as treasurer and gabbai over the years. “He is a leader in all the organizations he gets involved with. He learned well from his parents,” added Wiederkehr. Dov’s father, Rabbi Yosef Adler, has been the morah d’atra of Teaneck’s Congregation Rinat Yisrael since 1979. He has also been the rosh yeshiva of Torah Academy of Bergen County since 1990. Dov has held leadership roles at Yeshivat Noam, Ma’ayanot, TABC and UJA-Federation. He is the founding president of Yeshivat Shalshelet, a new yeshiva day school opening in September for children with language- and learning-based differences. Sheva has served as past president of Yeshivat Noam Parents Association and led many CBA initiatives.
Debra and Avi Glanzman moved to Bergenfield in 2009 and quickly became involved with CBA and community organizations. A member of the board and head of the security committee, Avi has secured grants totaling over $100,000. Debra has served as the co-chair of the shul’s welcoming committee and helped organize the shul’s annual Hachnasas Orchim Shabbos. “The Glanzmans are always happy to help out in many different areas of shul programming and activities, always with genuine warmth,” said Wiederkehr. The couple has five children.
Wiederkehr said the campaign’s theme, “Building for the Future,” recognizes the growing number of families moving to the area and choosing CBA. “We have seen an influx of many young families, which we’re thrilled about; we now have over 400 families,” he said. “Our shul is in need of updating and upgrading. We’re excited to serve the needs of our shul members.”
The expansion began with the purchase of three homes, which were then demolished to make room for the new buildings. Groundbreaking took place last month. The new structures will be joined to the main building, which is also being renovated. Wiederkehr said the construction is expected to be completed within the year. As part of the renovation, the beis medrash is being renamed in honor of Donny Morris, z”l, who spent many hours there in learning and tefillah, and considered it a second home.
Ari Gellman, a past president of CBA who is helping the fundraising effort, looks forward to what he hopes is a 100% turnout at the dinner. “The honorees are two families who have done a tremendous amount for the shul over the years. It’s great to see people who are involved, and put time and effort into the shul, get recognized. Wide participation from the community at the dinner will be a great show of support for the future of Beth Abraham.”
By Bracha Schwartz
There is a link to the Annual Dinner on June 15 at www.bethabraham.org . Donate to the building campaign at www.CBAfuture.org . Or scan the QR code:
