Officers at the Jewish Center

Steve Graber
President

Steve began his term as President of The Jewish Center on July 1, 2006. Prior to serving as President, Steve served as Treasurer from 2000 to 2004 and as First Vice President from 2004 to 2006. Steve, his wife Esther, and their three children joined The Jewish Center in 1998 after moving to the Upper West Side from Memphis, Tennessee, where Steve is a native. While in Memphis, Steve served as the President of The Jewish Family Service and as an officer and board member of the Baron Hirsch Synagogue, the Margolin Hebrew Academy, the Jewish Community Center, the Jewish Foundation of Memphis and Memphis Jewish Federation. Steve received his undergraduate degree at The John Hopkins University, his law degree at the University of Memphis and his master's of law in taxation at New York University. Steve is a partner in the midtown law firm of Robinson Brog Leinwand Greene Genovese & Gluck P.C. Steve and Esther are proud parents of three children, Julia, Laura and Aryeh. While in New York City, Steve has served on the board of Ramaz School, Dorot and as a volunteer for AIPAC, the Jewish Board of Family and Children's Services and UJA Federation.

Joseph Gottlieb
First Vice President

Joseph has been a member of The Jewish Center for much of his life. He was born and raised on the Upper West Side, where he currently lives with his wife Ruby, and their two sons, Benjy and Aaron. For much of the past twenty five years he has been actively involved in The Center, serving on various committees and volunteering in many different ways, most recently as Gabbai. Joseph has gotten to know many of The Center's members, and has developed a deep appreciation for the diversity of backgrounds, interests and talents represented. He looks forward to working with The Jewish Center's professional and lay leadership, and building on the accomplishments of previous administrations.

Virginia Bayer Hirt
Vice President
Virginia, a native of New York City, has a long family history at The Jewish Center. Her great-grandfather, William Fischman, was the founding president. Virginia is a co-chair of the Strategic Planning / Implementation Committee. She also participates in the Syngagoue Leadership Initiative of the Rabbinical Council of America, the Women Within Orthodox Leadership Initiative of The Orthodox Caucus and serves on the board of Makor, an affiliate of the 92nd Street Y. She is a member of the Northeast Regional Council and Executive Committee of AIPAC. Her interests include: energy independence, democracy and security in the Middle East, Jewish education and synagogue life. Virginia worked in commercial banking and has worked as a volunteer in the not for profit world often with start up organizations. She worked on events and fundraising at The Big Apple Circus for fifteen years from the time of its founding in 1977. She served as the second president of Congregation B'nai Jeshrun. She has been actively involved in The Abraham Joshua Heschel School since its founding in 1983 and has served in a myriad of capacities including its president.

Shira Orenstein
Vice President
Shira joined The Jewish Center when she married Danny Kahn, whose family has been long time members of the Center. Shira and Danny have raised their lovely daughters, Yael and Aliza, in our community, and have been active members of The JC for nearly 20 years. Shira, a long time member of the Administrative Committee, became Vice President in 2005 and has served as a trustee for the past three years. Shira has served on numerous committees including Board Development, Youth, Gala Journal, Yom Kippur Appeal, Nominating and various program and search committees. Shira and Danny chaired "the best purim carnival ever" for several years and chaired the 2005 Gala Journal Committee for "the most successful JC Dinner ever." Professionally, Shira is a healthcare administrator and planner, with many years experience in nonprofit management. She returned to her native NY for graduate school after attending Brandeis, earning and MPH and MS in urban planning from Columbia University. Now she enjoys the wonderful opportunities for learning at The Jewish Center and is a regular at Rabbi Berman's chumash class.

Avi Schwartz
Assistant Vice President
Avi began davening at The Jewish Center's Young Leadership minyan in 1998, just days after he moved to the Upper West Side. In 2002, Avi was nominated co-gabbai of the Young Leadership minyan and served in that position for 3 years. Avi served on several committees including the Young Leadership Committee, Membership Committee and the Strategic Planning Committee. Avi was nominated to the Administrative Committee and became an Officer of The Center in 2005. Avi currently serves as the chair of the Facilities Committee and oversees the work of the House and Safety Committees. Avi holds a BS in mechanical engineering, an MBA in operations management and is a Senior Manager at Deloitte and Touche, a professional services firm. Avi also serves as Treasurer and sits on the Board of Directors for Hillel at Binghamton, his alma mater.

Seth Jonas
Treasurer
Seth has been Treasurer of The JC since November 2004. Seth and his wife, Rochelle Tarlowe, joined The Jewish Center in 1998, shortly after settling on the Upper West Side. Seth served as co-chair of the Public Affairs Committee in 2000 and helped bring a range of pro-Israel events to The Jewish Center when Israel was in the midst of one of its most difficult times. After humbly accepting the honor of Chassen Maftir for Simchat Torah in 2004, Seth was appointed Treasurer of The JC. Seth is the President of S Jonas Insurance, an insurance agency Seth founded in 2000. Seth, native of Atlantic Beach, is a tremendous sports fan and will discuss the Jets, Rangers and his alma mater Rutgers, to anyone who will listen. Seth and Rochelle are also very involved with AIPAC and are members of AIPAC's New Leadership Network. They are most proud of their two children Zachary (age 5) and Emma (age 2).

Adina Spiro Wagman
Assistant Treasurer
Adina has been Assistant Treasurer of The JC since November 2004. She joined The Jewish Center in 1993 and has served enthusiastically on a number of committees including the Young Leadership, Hospitality and Membership committees. Adina is a founding member of JC Connections and is a matchmaker on www.sawyouatsinai.com. Adina practiced tax law for several years in NYC. She is married to Philip Wagman, also a tax lawyer. Adina and Philip are the proud parents of Sarah and Daniel who love coming to shul each week.

Meryl Degen
Secretary
Meryl's involvement in the community started at the tender age of 3 days old when she was named at The JC. She has been a dedicated member ever since, serving on several committees; welcoming members and guests to The Center Shabbat Mornings as an usher; serving as a founding member of the Young Professional Group, the precursor to the Young Leadership; and chairing The JC Annual Dinner's Journal Committee. Meryl's commitment to supporting Israel led to her participation on several JC Israel Missions. She was elected to the Administrative Committee 4 years ago and was the 2005 recipient of The Rabbi Dr. Leo Jung Memorial Award for outstanding community leadership. Meryl is a sales director of advertising at GQ magazine and spends her spare time volunteering for the UJA Global Relations committee, traveling, attending theater productions and spending time with friends and family.