At a congregational meeting on Sun., Dec. 17, congregants voted the following into officer positions through the end of 2008: Ron Rabin, president; Susan Apter, vice president; Jonathan Solomon, vice president; Howard Dickenson, treasurer; Jesse and Marian Kaiser, financial secretaries; Vivian Liebenson, recording secretary; and Rob Kline, assistant recording secretary. Larry Gorban continues on as a vice president with one year remaining in his term.

Newly approved to serve on the TI board of directors are the following: Danny Bachman, Hillary Berman, Jeff Bernstein, Ellen Eisner, Helen Frank, Sam Freedenberg, Tony Freedman, Jay P. Goldman, Sara Harris, Betsy Nahum-Miller, Josh Pollack and Phyllis Schwartz. Some will serve two-year terms and others will complete unexpired terms with one year left.

The new board will be overseeing a number of significant decisions in 2007: the imminent hiring of a new director for the Early Childhood Center, the acceptance of a new Torah scroll in May and the replacement for TI's long-time executive director, Susan Newman, who is retiring in the fall.

The new officers and board members will be formally installed on Sun., Jan. 14.

Mini-profiles of the new officers follow.

Ron Rabin

TI member: 12 years
Previous roles: co-chair of adult education committee; former board member and vice-president
Personal: Native of Chicago. I am a physician (pediatrician and allergist) and a scientist. I work for the Food and Drug Administration in the regulation of biologic products used to treat allergic diseases and asthma. Also, I lead an immunology research lab.
Why interested in board role: The synagogue is my community, and I am honored to have been asked to serve.
Miscellany: My hobbies are learning to play the tenor sax and bicycling.

Susan Apter

TI member: 6 years
Previous roles: Second term as board member and co-chair of the Adult Education and College Outreach committees; assigns Haftorot readings for Shabbatot and Holidays; a member of the Religious Practices and Religious School committees. Sings in TI choir and part of an active nine-family Havurah.
Personal: Native of Philadelphia. Employed by Department of Defense for 23 years in the contracting field.
Why interested in board role: I thoroughly enjoy being an active synagogue member -- in enhancing adult learning opportunities, letting our college-age members know we're thinking of them, and contributing all I can in important decisions on various committees and board issues. I truly care about this synagogue and not only want to see it survive but thrive.

Jonathan Solomon

TI member: 4 years
Previous roles: Co-chair of religious school committee, co-chair of Purim shpiel committee, member of Youth Commission
Personal: New York City native. I am a school psychologist for the Howard County Public Schools.
Why interested in board role: We all want the synagogue to be there for us when we need it, whether it be for a simcha, to support us in times of need, to provide our children with a solid foundation in Judaism, for social and cultural activities, or to advance our own knowledge. The paid staff of a synagogue can't possibly provide all these services without the help and support of its members. So I feel that it is my responsibility to do what I can to help so that Tikvat Israel can be there for all of us.

As a new member to the board, I hope to contribute to synagogue governance by providing a new perspective. I'd like to do whatever I can to help Tikvat Israel grow and play a strong, supportive role in our community.

Howard Dickenson

TI member: 4 years
Previous roles: Board member since 2004
Personal: Chicago native. I have a Ph.D. in economics and work at the Office of Management of Budget.
Why interested in board role: I believe it is important for all Jews to feel connected and contribute to Tikvat Israel and the larger Jewish community. There are many ways to feel connected, such as attending religious services, volunteering for one of the many committees, and participating in one of the many education opportunities. In my case, I would like to contribute as the Treasurer to learn more about the synagogue and how it impacts the Tikvat Israel community is so many different ways.
Miscellany: I have a 3-year-old son attending the Early Childhood Center in the Hebrew immersion class. He can already speak more Hebrew then I know.

Vivian Liebenson

TI member: 4 years
Previous roles: Member of the website committee.
Personal: Native of Ocean, N.J. I work as a web designer for Avectra, a software company. I live in Rockville with my husband Harley, and our 3-year old son, Eli, who attends the Early Childhood Center.
Why interested in board role: Tikvat Israel is a very unique and wonderful synagogue in the Washington Area. It has given a lot to my family and I want to give back in whatever way I'm able.

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	Tikvat Israel Congregation 2200 Baltimore Road · Rockville, Maryland 20851 Phone: (301) 762-7338 · Fax: (301) 424-4399 · Send us an email!
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