Congregation Israel Celebrates Annual Testimonial Dinner

At its 36th Annual Testimonial Dinner, Congregation Israel of Springfield honored its spiritual leader as well as leaders in the business community.

Rabbi Chaim Marcus and his wife Lea were honored for their outstanding commitment to the Congregation and to the entire MetroWest Jewish community. 

Congregation Israel can be traced back to a Newark synagogue founded in 1882, and the Marcuses received an honor that reflected the Congregation’s history. Their award was named in honor of Rabbi Israel Turner, founding Rabbi of the synagogue, who oversaw the migration of many of the Newark based synagogues to Springfield and their merger into the then Young Israel of Springfield to form the current institution.

Investors Savings CEO Kevin Cummings was also honored for his investment in large and small businesses throughout New Jersey. Mr. Cummings received the inaugural Community Service Award on behalf of the bank.

High school senior Hanna Rosenheim, received a scholarship award named in memory of Joseph Tammam, a Congregation member who passed away in 2009. Miss Rosenwein, a graduate of the Rae Kushner Hebrew High School invested countless hours in Gemilat Chesed (volunteer activities). Joseph Tammam’s widow Sondra made the presentation.

The Dinner also honored. Melanie Wind and Mr. Adam Dolin for their work on behalf of the synagogue.

The event raised over $125,000 for the Congregation. The event was co-chaired by real estate developer, Springfield resident and Minnesota Vikings owner Zygmunt Wilf and his business partner Walter Oberlander. In an email, the men said the Dinner met or exceeded all of our projections, particularly in light of the economic difficulties faced by all not-for-profit institutions.

The dinner was held at the Crystal Plaza in Livingston in May.