I believe in the infinite possibilities for Romemu. Having served on many boards, I know myself to be a team player who loves to work with people to create and develop new ideas and programs. I am someone who empowers people to find their passion and express it for the good of the community. I am excited to contribute to the creation of systems, governance and a structure to contain the vibrant new ideas and future vision of Romemu. I am a social worker with experience as a facilitator, trainer and advocate.
I have enjoyed serving on the Executive Committee of the Romemu Board during the last year. I now look forward to the honor and opportunity to be Chair of the Board to help Romemu grow to the next stage of our communal life.
Romemu is my spiritual home and I will continue to invite my friends and my other communities to join who are seeking a spiritual oasis that is unique, vibrant and meaningful. Together may we sing, dance and pray!
The medieval poet Judah Halevi said: “When I go forth looking for You, I find You seeking me.” In the process of looking for G-d, we also find ourselves.
Even as I am writing this I am filling up with gratitude for all that Romemu has brought into my life and my family's life. It is still amazing to me that I have a spiritual home where I feel safe and where I truly belong. Like so many of you, I find great joy in working to make Romemu stronger in whatever capacity I can.
My family discovered Romemu when we were in the basement of the church on Broadway and 114th. When I closed my eyes and let the Rome'rhythms move me, I was instantly transported to a tent in the Middle East and I knew I was home. For me, Rabbi David is a direct line to the ancient voices of my ancestors.
I have been blessed to serve on the Board for the past two years — currently as a member of the Nominating Committee, and the PR/Media Committee. My 20 years as a television producer and senior manager have given me strong people skills and a solid understanding of organizational development. I offer these skills as we continue to grow and shape our community.
Because our family is multi-cultural, I know how rare it is to find a community as embracing as Romemu. To look out over our congregation and see the diversity we represent is especially rewarding for me. It is a gift I will try to share with anyone who visits, as everyone should feel as welcomed as we were on our first Shabbat.
Romemu is my spiritual home. Its recipe of deep torah, contemplation, joy, musicality and community speak to an inner Jewish voice that had been buried and forgotten. It awakens my soul. It is my honor to bring my gifts and talents to the development, growth and realization of Rabbi David's vision, and to share it with those I love and care about. I have appreciated the opportunity to aid these efforts by working with the Finance Committee over the last two years and look forward to assuming new responsibilities as Romemu's Treasurer in our new organizational structure. I have served on boards of non-profits and been actively involved in synagogue life for many years. I have also grown several for-profit businesses. I am committed to helping Romemu reach its potential as a magnificent spiritual community.
I am thrilled to be part of the most open, creative, heart-warming, real Jewish spiritual community I know. I am even more honored to have the opportunity to help drive the direction of Romemu's future by taking an active role on the Board of Directors. I have 12 years experience helping to run non-profit organizations and working with boards of directors of small and mid level ventures. I pursued a graduate degree in business in order to understand how to marry the social and business sectors, and currently consult to corporations and non-profits on how best to make that happen. However, my favorite full-time job so far is mom to my son, Baer Leib.
I was raised "Conservative" and then "Reconstructionist," and now happily practicing and loving just being Jewish. I am inspired to serve on the Board of Romemu to help establish and support the overall Board structure (as a member of the Nominating Committee) and organizational structure (as a member of the Organizational Structure Committee). I think I excel at understanding a vision and helping to create structure and a solid team to move from vision to reality. As a former interim Romemu Executive Director, I also continue to provide insight and past knowledge around budgeting and operations to the staff.
In my role as Secretary of the Board I will take seriously the charge of making sure clear and concise minutes are taken at every Board meeting, and that these minutes are circulated to the community, and stored in a safe place to be sure our history is always recorded accurately. I will also work closely with our Compliance Officer to make sure Romemu is living by all the 501(c)3 standards set forth by the government. I look forward to any community ideas about how to make my role as Secretary one that makes our entire community happy and proud.
I wish to be considered for election to the Board of Directors of Romemu. For over two and a half years I have had the honor to serve as the de facto chairman of the Board. During this period I have witnessed and helped with the birthing of a full-time congregation and assist with laying the foundations for the management of the organization. I am deeply indebted to Rabbi David for showing the light of non-denominational meaningful Jewish spiritual practice and whole heartedly share the long-term vision and aspiration of the Romemu/ABIA project. I bring to the Board, among other things, experience, commitment, clear-thinking and visioning.
Jeff has been passionate about Renewal Judaism for over 15 years, serving on the board of Aleph (The Alliance for Jewish Renewal) and becoming a founding member of two Jewish Renewal congregations, including Romemu. Jeff believes that Romemu is on its way to becoming a world class center for Renewal Judaism, and plans to do whatever he can to help make that happen.
I was born and raised in New York State and for the last 15 years I am the Design Director for a very large Women's Clothing Manufacturer. My spiritual studies formally began when I was introduced to both Buddhism and Transcendental Meditation in 1974. Since then my studies have included Tai-Chi, Yoga, Reiki and I am recently certified in IET (Integrated Energy Training) Healing technique. In 2001 I began to study Jewish Mysticism and found a very deep love for Torah. My love for Torah coupled with my love for music and the non-traditional have placed me perfectly in the midst of Romemu and Jewish Renewal. I had been searching for quite some time for a community that held similar values to my "Utopian World Vision" A world view where success is measured by how fully a person held love in their body, mind and spirit. I feel quite honored to serve as a Board member, to be able to use my vitality, organizational, and creative skills to further the vision of Romemu.
I found my way to Romemu in the fall of 2007 and for the first time in my life I felt that my spiritual journey was connected to my Jewish roots. While I had never even considered becoming a member of another shul, a few months later I was co-chairing Romemu’s Membership Committee. Two years ago, I joined the board and transitioned to Technology chair. We have overhauled Romemu's member management system and are now beginning to overhaul the website. It is an honor to serve on the board and co-vision our future. I am deeply grateful to those who created a place for me to land and I am glad to be able to help do the same for others.
I am a Private Chef, Interior designer, and floral designer. I am all about vision, creation, and implementation. I have been involved with Romemu from its beginning days at Makor. I have worked hard to demonstrate the need for tender nurturing of this incredible home for Spirit, prayer, community, love and growth. I was brought up Reform, as my father was the Cantor, choir director, Bar Mitzvah teacher of our Congregation, and the love of Judaism was instilled in me at a young age. My parents and their friends built our Shul. I serve as Ritual Chair on the Board of Nantucket's summer community — Shirat HaYam. I am the youngest member on their Board. Romemu has always been a tender seed that needs care and nurturing. We are growing each year, and I would be honored to be a part of this growth process. I would love creating events and spreading the word about our amazing community and Rabbi. I thank you for considering me for this position, and would be honored to serve on this Board should I be selected.
Challenging authority and unorthodox thinking grew out of my life experiences: among other things, a Chasidic heritage, forcing myself outside that comfort zone, law school, life in East Tennessee and working with its rural poor. It is truly an honor to serve on the Romemu board.
I have served on the board of Romemu for the past 15-months, and look forward to continuing as a co-chair of the PR/Media committee. We came to Romemu in the Spring of 2007 and have felt a strong connection to the community and its mission. As an inter-faith family, we believe one of the strengths of the Romemu community is the universal nature of the shared spiritual experience. As a Christian, I believe my faith and my understanding of greater-than–human forces in our world are enhanced when I “Romemu.” As an African American, I also bring a different cultural perspective to Romemu’s board, and I am grateful that I am accepted and valued both for my humanity and for my slightly different experience and outlook.
I am a father to a wonderful 16-year-old daughter, Olivia. I am a husband to my wife and best friend, Evey. I am a brother, a nephew, an uncle and a friend to many.
I am a journalist, producer, and co-founder of Mezclado — an independent television production partnership. My 28 years as a reporter, producer, and senior manager for ABC News have provided me with a set of communication skills that I offer to Romemu.
Currently, I serve as a board member of several organizations that bridge journalism and education including the Overseas Press Club Foundation, and the News Literacy Project. I am also a trustee of the Ethical Culture Fieldston School in Riverdale, New York; and a trustee of Wesleyan University in Middletown, Connecticut.
Bio coming soon.
Rebecca Sharzer
My name is Rebecca Sharzer and I work in children’s educational publishing. I am a consultant and sales rep in a small company my mother started 30 years ago. I balance this commitment with work as a licensed physical therapist and certified holistic health counselor. I also teach JourneyDance and have a small Raw Chocolate business, Home Grown LOVE.
I have been an active member of the Romemu community for 15 months. When I first walked through the door I was deeply moved by the intentional prayer during the services and the warm, welcoming environment before, during and after. I felt immediately at ease and a part of something truly sacred, meaningful, and unique. I have been at Shabbat services regularly since the first one in 2008.
For the past year I have been honored to have in my home the monthly Romemu Red Tent women’s group and weekly parsha study with the Rabbi. I have organized two "cooking for a cause" events where we prepared healthy food and delivered it to Anshe Chesed's homeless shelter.
I volunteer my time at all Romemu holiday events. At the Chanukah fundraiser in 2008 I set up a raw chocolate making table and this past Chanukah fundraiser I facilitated a JourneyDance experience. I am always finding new opportunities to serve this exceptional community. I feel honored to be nominated to join the board to be chair of ongoing events and if elected I will serve whole-heartedly.
Bio coming soon.
Bio coming soon.