West

Rabbi Mark Wildes
Founder and Director MJE

Growing up and going to High Holidays services, I have a vivid recollection of the man sitting in front of me counting down the hours until the synagogue service was over. It made what seemed like an endless service, even longer. I said to myself then, if I accomplish anything in this lifetime it will be to conduct a High Holiday service which is inspiring, interesting and uplifting. I am proud to say that all 3 MJE sites have such a service. The only thing you’ll be counting down is to the next MJE event!

Rabbi Arnie Singer

The high holiday period always motivates me to reflect on the past year and my plans and goals for the year to come. The last three years have been particularly intense. I experienced the joy of marrying my soulmate and the sorrow of losing my mother. My greatest joy has been watching my son Yehuda discover the world. Everything is new and exciting to him. If I could only see the world through his pure and untainted vision, the beauty in the ordinary, the excitement in the mundane. Perhaps I will make this my goal for this year, to see the beauty in the everyday things I take for granted and barely even notice. To wake up every morning with the excitement of an explorer setting out to discover new lands and map uncharted territories. To see the beauty in a leaf, a breeze, a smile. On this annual anniversary of creation, perhaps I will recreate the pure joy and wonder of my youth, and see the world as Adam undoubtedly did.

Rabbi Avi Heller
Educational Director

I have always felt that the beautiful custom of dipping challa into honey (which newlyweds do for their first year of marriage as well) is not such for the sweetness of the honey, but to give a blessing as well. So, I have always made it my practice to give a blessing to someone when I give them the challa and honey. When I was a campus Rabbi in Boston, I once gave 150 blessings the first night of Rosh Hashana! It would be worth seeing if they all came true…if you want yours, come to MJE and look me up.

Rabbi Ezra Cohen
West Side Director

Hailing from Atlanta, GA, Rabbi Cohen received a B.A. in Speech & Marketing from Yeshiva University, an M.A. in Education from the Azrieli Graduate School of Jewish Education and received his rabbinic ordination from Yeshiva University. Rabbi Cohen served as Educational Director and Rabbi at the Hillel of Rutgers University and also worked at the Beth Din of America. He is a frequent speaker and in his free time enjoys tennis, playing the guitar and snowboarding.

Michael Krimsky
Director of Marketing

Famous for his press-release worthy Shabbat gatherings, Michael is also known for his friendly nature, healthy vegan cooking, and tolerance of still being called “Mikey.” He utilizes his background in marketing and entrepreneurship to bring people together and build the MJE community. He looks forward to collaborating with other young Jewish professionals to make MJE as dynamic and fun as possible through trips, parties, classes, and holiday events. A resource for all things social, whether you’re looking for a professional connection, friend, or a date for next weekend, he is likely the guy to talk to. Mikey often hosts meals and musical jam sessions in his Upper West Side apartment and always welcomes more people to join in.

Galit Berkovitch
West Side Program Manager

I have so many wonderful memories of many-a-rosh-hashannah spent with my family. Seeing my father and brothers go off to shul in the evening as I put the finishing touches on the meal with my mother and grandmother; walking down the beautifully fall decorated streets of Suburban New York to the beautiful lake for tashlich. But one Rosh Hashanna memory actually helped me at a young age to discover a true passion for baking. I would slave over a stove with my grandmother (see picture) for weeks in advance, baking every dessert anyone could ever hope for.
Using, of course, my Great Grandmother’s superb and coveted family recipes. One recipe, in my opinion, is a true winner. I believe it in fact can turn non-believers into believers and the yum to someone’s yuck in a simple bite. The magical dessert I speak of is: Baba Shirely’s Orange-Ginger Honey Cake. It turned me into a Honey-Cake fan and I believe it can do the same for you.
So if you’re ever in Westchester, stop by and I may let you have some. Until then, here’s a recipe I found on google that sounds good too. SHANAH TOVA AND CHAG SAMEACH! Honey Cake: http://judaism.about.com/od/roshhashanarecipes/r/cake_honey.htm