(Courtesy of YIPC) A welcoming synagogue that caters to men, women and children is what attracted Marc and Chava Kurtz and Jeremy and Aliza Davis to the Young Israel of Passaic-Clifton.
“We appreciated the diversity of the membership,” Marc Kurtz said, sharing why the couple joined YIPC in 1994, just two years after relocating from Washington Heights to Passaic. “It was a place where our children were welcome and comfortable. We felt a sense of community and belonging.”
“What really appealed to us about Young Israel was the welcoming and inspiring atmosphere for davening and programming for children,” said Aliza Davis, noting how the couple joined the shul four years ago. “We also appreciate Rabbi and Rebbetzin Glasser’s hashkafic approach that emphasizes the advantages and unique challenges of being a committed Torah Jew in a complex modern world.”
On Sunday, June 16, Young Israel of Passaic-Clifton will be honoring the two families at the shul’s annual dinner. To register and/or make a donation, go to yipc.org/dinner.
Founded more than 50 years ago, YIPC, as the shul is commonly known, continues to experience tremendous growth in membership across all ages, buoyed by modern building opened four years ago. The Young Israel offers programming and shiurim throughout the week, as well as groups and activities every Shabbos for children, from toddlers to pre-teens.
“Both of our honorees this year personify the values of our kehila, and devote themselves to a life of service to our community,” said YIPC Rabbi Yaakov Glasser. “The Kurtz and Davis families embody our focus on religious and personal growth as the foundation of our Shul, and are always striving to progress their own commitment to Judaism and by extension serve as an example to others.”
Raised in the Midwest, Marc and Chava Kurtz will never be mistaken for wallflowers. Whether it’s underwriting a new learning opportunity, initiating a monthly Carlebach Friday night service or helping with kiddush cleanup, the Kurtzes are always among the first to lend a helping hand, a value they have passed down to their three children.
Raised primarily in Chicago, Chava relocated to the East Coast, where she earned an MS in physical therapy at Columbia University. Today, she works with the geriatric population in sub-acute rehab settings.
Raised in a traditional Jewish home in St. Louis, Marc earned a BA at Yeshiva University and a Masters in biochemistry at St. Louis University. He has spent the past 29 years working at Merck, one of the nation’s largest pharmaceutical companies, in research and development of pre-clinical therapeutics. “Part of the excitement being in R&D is working on medical therapies that can really make a difference in people’s lives.”
That sense of “making a difference” played out decades ago in Marc’s religious life, where he followed his older brother, Rabbi Shmuel Kurtz, to embrace an Orthodox way of life.
“The transition to Orthodox living was a result of a summer program in Israel, living with a family on an orthodox Moshav,” Marc recalled. “This incredible experience and lifestyle inspired us to ‘convert’ our parents to living a more orthodox style of Judaism.”
Today, the Kurtz’ love of Judaism and community is reflected in their children: Eitan (who is married to Brittany and lives in Massachusetts), Dani and Aliza.
Jeremy and Aliza Davis, and their five children, are part of the new generation of Young Israel of Passaic-Clifton, yet blend comfortably with people of all ages.
Since joining YIPC, the couple have made their presence felt. Shortly after joining YIPC, Aliza chaired the youth committee. There, she oversaw programming and training of the group leaders and helped set the standards of the department. Aliza continues to play an active role in youth, teen, and adult programming in the shul, including its dynamic Shavuos all-night learning and programming for the Yomim Noraim.
Meanwhile, Jeremy is a founding member of the kiddush cleanup crew and participates in many of the shul’s learning opportunities, including its daf hashavua.
“We love that the shul is open to all comers,” Jeremy said. “Everyone is encouraged to participate based on their interest and time. Even our kids enjoy helping to take a broom or sweeper and help clean up after kiddush.”
Aliza grew up in Hewlett, NY, graduating from Hebrew Academy of Long Beach (HALB) and Stella K. Abraham High School for Girls, before spending 1 ½ years in Israel at Michlalah.
From there, she earned a BA in psychology at Stern College and after teaching limudei kodesh at various Jewish day schools, she will be joining the limudei kodesh faculty at Naaleh High School for girls. She is currently in the process of getting her MA in Jewish Studies from Touro’s Graduate School of Jewish Studies.
Jeremy grew up in upstate New York and was raised with a strong Jewish identity. His interest in Judaism grew when he went on a group trip to Israel and soon he was the only kippah-wearing person in a high school of 1,600 students.
He attended Rutgers University, earning an undergraduate degree in English Literature and embarking on a journalism career that included editorial roles at the Financial Times Group’s Mergermarket.com, Mergers & Acquisitions Journal, and SC Magazine. Jeremy is currently vice president and senior content editor at the Global Association of Risk Professionals (GARP).
Jeremy and Aliza are the proud parents of five children: Shmuel, Avigail, Elisha, Yechiel, and Orly, all of whom attend YBH of Passaic.
