Your 2025-26 OJC Board of Trustees
Jacob Black (Serves Through June 2026)
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Jacob, his wife, Meredith, and their two children, Gavin (13) and Chloe (10), joined OJC in 2021. New City-raised, his Jewish education and values had their roots at Ruben Gittleman Day School. Jacob's family has been involved with Rockland Jewish institutions since the 80s. And for the past 20-plus years, he has worked with not-for-profit organizations and over 60 cooperative executive boards on budgeting and financial reporting. Jacob says that, especially in these times, it is an honor to follow in the footsteps of his parents, who have helped the Rockland Jewish community over the years.
Dr. Robert Browner (Serves Through June 2026)
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Vincent Frankel (Serves Through June 2028)
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Dr. Elliot Heller (Serves Through June 2028)
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Elliot has been an OJC member since 2001, and has been active in the Rockland County Jewish community since he and his wife Sally (z”l) moved to Rockland in 1977, when Elliot began his Gastroenterology practice. He held a leadership position at the Reuben Gittelman Hebrew Day School, serving there as president of the board of trustees. Elliot also served on the board of trustees at the Pomona Jewish Center and was active in the Hudson Valley Political Action Committee. After 45 years of practice, he is now planning to “slow down” to a part-time position, and with more free time, he is excited to help the OJC community continue to flourish. A Shabbat regular in our sanctuary, he has served as a gabbai for the past several years and enjoys chanting haftorot.
Abi Klein ((Serves Through June 2028)
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Abi, her husband, Josh, and kids Reuben (6) and Elizabeth (almost 5), have been members of the OJC since 2022. Abi grew up in the Miami Jewish community, but always dreamed of living in New York. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Columbia University in 2010. And met Josh in 2014 while volunteering as a teacher in Petach Tikvah, Israel. They were married by our own Rabbis Scheff and Drill. Reuben came along pre-pandemic, and Lizzie during the height of the COVID scare. Through those difficult pandemic days, Rockland’s Jewish community was by our side and on our Zoom screen. When the world reopened, Abi joined the 2022 Strategic Committee to represent the voice of the shul’s young families. And since then, Abi, Josh and their family have connected with other young families through Early Kabbalat Shabbat, Tot Shabbat and young family programming on holidays, and musical highlights. Abi and Josh have invested in Reuben and Lizzie’s Jewish education and identities through Solomon Schechter Day School and Ramah Nyack, immersing them in our calendar, traditions, and Hebrew language. She and Josh know that the OJC is the perfect home base for their family for years to come. During business hours, Abi adores all things tech and is a Senior Software Engineer at a financial technology company. In her off-hours, Abi loves snowboarding, culinary exploration, lifting weights and running, and curling up with a good book.
Justin Leon (Serves Through June 2026)
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Justin, along with his wife, Amy, and their two daughters, Emma (6) and Sophie (4), joined the OJC in 2022. Justin’s grandparents, Myra and Jerome Leon, were founding members of the OJC in the early 1960s, and Justin and his family now reside in their former Blauvelt home. New City-raised, Justin’s Jewish education and values were shaped by his family’s involvement in their conservative synagogue, where his father served on the board of trustees and as president. As a newer member of OJC and as someone who is in an interfaith marriage, Justin believes that he can provide unique perspectives to the OJC Board of Trustees. In their short time at OJC, Justin and his family have become regular participants in the Early Kabbalat Shabbat services. Justin is also active in the OJC Men’s Club. An avid sports fan (go Yanks; sorry, Rabbi Scheff!), Justin was a collegiate baseball player and also played in a semi-pro league through 2021. Justin works for Philips Healthcare, collaborating with hospitals to improve patient care through innovation. Justin, Amy, Emma and Sophie love to spend time with friends, travel and enjoy the outdoors.
Robert Pitkofsky (Serves Through June 2028)
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Rob and his wife, Lori, have three children: Hannah (19), Seth (17), and Evan (12). Rob serves as the co-chair of OJC’s Disability Rights Committee and also serves as co-chair of the synagogue's People & Culture committee. Rob has practiced law -- in public, not-for-profit, and private settings -- for over two decades. Currently, Rob serves as Section Chief/Assistant Attorney General for the Office of the New York State Attorney General, where he represents Helen Hayes Hospital and four New York State Department of Health veterans nursing homes. He previously served as in-house counsel at the Anti-Defamation League, and on the board of directors and business advisory councils for the Jewish Federation of Rockland County and numerous organizations throughout Rockland County since moving to New City in 2009. All three of his children are products of our beloved Camp Ramah network!
Dr. Michael Pucci (Serves Through June 2027)
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After earning a psychology degree, impromptu travel and some contemplation, Michael earned a PhD. in pharmacy. While working in NYC, Michael met his future wife, Hara. They moved to Rockland and, in 2001, joined the OJC. Michael fulfilled a growing commitment with conversion to Judaism. His friends, teachers, and mentors at the OJC continue to guide his path in life. Michael served as secretary of the executive board from 2014-2018, and as our congregational president from 2018-2022. He's been active in the Men’s Club and has served on various committees. Hara and Michael live, off and on, with their wonderful adult daughters, Greta and Sophia, Stevie the cat, and his canine pal and ersatz service dog, Presley. Michael says the OJC community has been transformative, and has provided a loving "second home" for his family, who come to it for prayer; ruach; friendship; the joy of sharing and the sharing of joy; for solace and good counsel; for like-minded comradeship; the challenge of novel thinking; to be accepted and accepting; for opportunities to give tzedakah; and to serve people and causes greater than oneself.
Steve Richter (Serves Through June 2027)
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Steve has served on our board of trustees for about a decade, and he's brought a wealth of experience and dedication to the role. He chairs the Ritual & Jewish Living Committee and has served on both the nominating committee and budget and finance committees. He is deeply involved in our community's spiritual life as part of the 18-person gabbaim team, assisting our Rabbis at services on Shabbat and holidays. He is a licensed CPA and serves as the Chief Financial Officer for an international distribution company. Volunteerism is a cornerstone of Steve's life, demonstrated through his 23-year tenure as an Auxiliary Police Officer with the Clarkstown Police Department -- and in his role as guardian coordinator for Big Apple Honor Flight, a national organization honoring our veteran heroes. Family is at the heart of everything I do. I have been married to my incredible wife, Brenda - the executive chef and food service general manager for the New York Boulders - for 38 years. Together, we have raised two wonderful children, Elyse (a professor of graphic design at Drexel University) and Ethan (an aerospace engineer), both graduates of Reuben Gittelman Hebrew Day School. Steve continues to go above and beyond in service to the OJC and the greater community beyond our walls.
Dan Salmon (Serves Through June 2028)
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Dan is a 47-year Tappan resident. He and his wife, Ellie, have been OJC members for 39 years. Their three children celebrated their bar and bat mitzvahs at the synagogue. He spent his career in the local and national meat industry before retiring in 2020, and he consults from time to time. Previously, Dan served on the Board of JCC Rockland, Girl Scouts Heart of the Hudson and the South Orangetown Ambulance Corps, where he also volunteered as a driver. Currently, he serves on the board of Jawonio, where he has volunteered for more than four decades, serving as board chairman for six years. He also chairs the Jawonio Foundation board. Dan believes the OJC is a vital part of the Rockland County community, and feels privileged to help guide its future.
Arthur Sanders (Serves Through June 2027)
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Arthur and his wife, Sharon, have been members of the OJC since 1998. They reside in New City. They have two children: Mark, 35, and Matthew, 32. Mark is a full-time film editor and is also a part-time student seeking an advanced degree in Clinical Psychology. Matthew is a software engineer and will be getting married in July of this year. Arthur is an attorney with an office in New City, and for years has been a leader in the OJC community. He is a past president of our congregation, and has also served as vice president and as chair of the ritual committee.
Ari Saposh (Serves Through June 2026)
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Ari was born in NY and raised in Teaneck, NJ. Both of his parents dedicated their lives to Jewish education for close to 20 years. Growing up in a vibrant, egalitarian, Conservative shul and attending Camp Ramah in the Berkshires helped shape his Jewish values. Ari is a 2007 graduate of the University of Maryland, where he majored in political science and entrepreneurship. He met the girl who'd become his wife, Nomi, as a 12-year-old Ramahnik; they married in 2008. Ari started his career in real estate finance, and following his ambition for entrepreneurship, joined Bridge Marketing as the third official employee in 2010. Ari and Nomi moved to Rockland in 2015 and have three sons. A consistent presence in our sanctuary on Shabbat, Ari and Nomi strive to expose their boys to shul life and its importance of community. Ari has been a board member since 2019.
Joseph Sgueglia (Serves Through June 2028)
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Joe and his wife Shoshanah live in Tappan with their three children, Zeke (9), Perry (7), and Tori (1), two dogs, eight chickens, six ducks, and one turtle. The Sgueglia family moved to Tappan from New City in 2022 to join the OJC. They were drawn to the OJC for the welcoming and supportive atmosphere that is maintained by leadership and members alike, and for the opportunities for meaningful engagement for all of them, including the kids. Shosh and the kids have spent their summers at Ramah Nyack since 2023. Joe's hobbies include gardening, caring for his myriad of animals, and spending quality time with his family. Joe & co-Finance VP David Schlossberg also serve as co-presidents of our Men's Club.
Mindy Zlotogura (Serves Through June 2026)
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Mindy has been an OJC member for over 20 years. She previously served two terms on the board of trustees and as recording secretary for Sisterhood. She also served on the catering committee and personnel committee. Mindy is a regular at Shabbat morning services and prides herself on helping out wherever she is needed. She is committed to sustaining and growing a dynamic, pluralistic Jewish community. Mindy is a real estate attorney with an office in West Nyack. In 2004-05, she served as the president of the Women’s Bar Association of the State of New York and has served two terms as president of the Rockland County Women’s Bar Association. Mindy currently serves as Secretary of the Rockland Business Women’s Network and is on the board of the Rockland County Women’s Bar Association.
Our 2025-26 Ex-Officio (Non-Voting) Trustees
Dr. Alan Pressman
Men's Club Representative
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Alan is a dentist practicing in Spring Valley, and also serves as Men's Club liaison to our board. His wife, Marcy, is president of the Jewish Federation and Foundation of Rockland County. They are parents of Eliana and Nate -- who serves as our USY co-president.
Cedine Issman
Sisterhood Representative
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Cedine and her family have been active members of our congregation for many years. And she continues to help lead our Sisterhood in its service to our congregation and the community at large as its president.
Nate Pressman
USY Representative
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Nate is co-president of our United Synagogue Youth chapter, along with Micah Hersh, and is a regular on our bimah, helping to lead our worship services.
Micah Hersh serves alongside Nate as USY co-presidents.