By Joel Magalnick, Editor, JTNews
In film terms, they might be called Ocean’s Seven, but with a few crucial differences from the movie series: Instead of engineering intricate, flawlessly planned heists, this group of volunteers gives dozens of hours a week to ensure that every aspect of handling a death of a fellow synagogue member is managed smoothly, carefully and judiciously; instead of innumerable inane sequels, this group gets better and more effective over time; and rather than finishing the job and disappearing into the woodwork, this group is in it for the long haul.
Also, said Herzl-Ner Tamid Conservative Congregation’s executive director Nadine Strauss of the seven members of its cemetery committee, not one of them would take the honor of the synagogue’s humanitarian award alone.
“It was all for one or one for all,” Strauss said.
Could Clooney or Pitt or Roberts say the same thing?
When Herzl-Ner Tamid holds its “Hooray for Herzlwood” event this weekend, it is honoring several members of its own community that have done much for the greater community as well — with an Oscars theme.
Anyone who attends lunch during Passover at Hillel at the University of Washington will recognize Paul Malakoff as the guy in the apron — he’s the guy who started the lunches and is always there to ensure everything runs smoothly. But he also was instrumental in starting Herzl-Ner Tamid’s endowment and began a program at Seattle’s Garfield High School that raised money to give out 50 $1,000 scholarships for students there.
Iantha Sidell is the former board chair of the Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle, and current capital campaign chair for the Stroum Jewish Community Center, but calls Herzl-Ner Tamid her home.
Two of their young leaders are being honored as well: Jonathan Langman helped to start the NextGen young adults group and used his financial knowledge that “helped us through that economic slump,” Strauss said.
Dan Mintz wins the Unsung Hero award. He is “one of those people that every organization wants. He can do anything and does so much of it all,” Strauss said. “He’s created all kinds of programs that bring people that pass through our doors a sense of community.”
But Strauss was most emphatic about the ongoing efforts of the cemetery committee.
“They volunteer all their time to run every aspect of that memorial park, from the first call that comes in from the chevra kadisha [burial society], from the rabbi, to the family, to the moment that they are ushered to their final resting place, further on to the unveiling,” she said. “[Even if] it’s the middle of the workday, it just doesn’t matter, and it’s extraordinary.”
Two of the members of that committee, George Siegel and Johnny Cohn, have been volunteering for 33 years apiece. Elaine Weinstein has done it for 23 years, Jack Farber for 22. Peter Michel, Corinne Farber, and Steve Burns round out the group.
Herzl-Ner Tamid’s rabbi, Jay Rosenbaum, said he appreciates what his members have done for their community.
“When you look at all of them together, you’re grateful how much effort has gone in by so many people from so many generations, each in their own way,” he said.