A generous donation from the Lavine family has enabled Tikvat Israel to create a family-friendly children’s corner in the rear of the sanctuary.
The gift was made in memory of long-time member Irvin (“Bud”) Lavine, one of the primary architects of the synagogue merger leading to Tikvat Israel’s creation two decades ago.
The donation came from several of Lavine’s family members – his wife, the Hon. Bess Lavine, and three children, the Hon. Sherrie Lavine Krauser of Adelphi, Md., Hilary Lavine Ginsburg of Rockville and Matt Lavine of Clarksville, Md. Bud Lavine died last January.
In her letter to the family, President Melanie Grishman wrote: “On behalf of Tikvat Israel Congregation I express our sincere gratitude … for your generous gift of $5,000 to the congregation for the creation and maintenance of the Children’s Corner in the back of our Sanctuary. As you have surely seen, this space is a beehive of activity every Shabbat, providing a welcome space for families with young children to both participate in services and to enjoy a quiet space to read, play and just be kids.”
Grishman added: “We will always remember with fondness and gratitude your father, the man you called ‘a gentleman to his fingertips, who treated everyone with courtesy and respect.’”
In making this space a permanent fixture, the synagogue will conduct a formal dedication ceremony with the installation of a memorial plaque in the near future.
The Lavine family members recently became Tikvat Israel members.
To find an appropriate legacy for Temple Israel in Silver Spring, Bud Lavine served as its final president during its last operating year to facilitate the merger with Beth Tikva in 1997, forming what is now Tikvat Israel Congregation.
The rear of the sanctuary has been designated a quiet, supervised play area for young children during Shabbat services and other times. It includes a colorful rubber play mat bearing Jewish themes and symbols along with rubber lounge seats for pre-schoolers and new puzzles and story books in the adjacent upgraded shelf space.
