Long Island's Oldest Reform Congregation
140 Central Avenue - Lawrence, NY 11559
(516) 239-1140

JOEL GERSTEL – PRESIDENT – Joel M. Gerstel was born and raised on Long Island, New York. He received his BA from New York University and is fluent in Spanish. Joel and his wife Deanne has been members of Temple Israel for over 25 years.

Mr. Gerstel currently lives in Cedarhurst with his wife, Deanne and has two children, Jeffrey married to Karen and two grandchildren,

Dylan and Alexandra and daughter Sharon. Joel has been a member of the Board of Trustees and was Temple Vice President,

Secretary and Treasurer . He is currently the Executive Director of the American Parkinson Disease Association, Inc. Joel is active

in community affairs and has previously served as chairman of Community Board 14, Queens, President of the Great Neck Rotary Club, President of the Chamber of Commerce of the Rockaways and is a member of the United States Selective Service Commission appointed by former President Jimmy Carter.

STANLEY KOPILOW – FIRST VICE PRESIDENT – Stanley is married to Robyn. They have three children, Evan, age 19, Alex 11 and Ben, age 8. Mr. Kopilow’s family have been members of Temple Israel since 1960. Mr. Kopilow was a Bar Mitzvah, confirmed, graduated from high school and married at Temple Israel. Stanley has previously been a Vice President and First Vice President of the congregation. He has been a Trustee since 1986. All his children attend religious school at Temple Israel and his son Evan was a Bar Mitzvah and Confimand at Temple Israel. He is founding partner of Hopkins, Kopilow and Weil, a general practice law firm located in Garden City. He specializes in criminal and matrimonial law. He is a graduate of the State University of New York at Stony Brook and Brooklyn Law School. He and his family make their home in Lawrence.

GAIL BLAUSTEIN– VICE PRESIDENT - Gail became a member of Temple Israel in 1972. After leaving the community for several years, she returned and re-affiliated with Temple Israel in 1985. She has served as a trustee since 1994 and has been a Vice President since 1996. The committees in which she has been actively involved are: membership, religious school , social action, fundraising and Dinner Dance. She was co-chair of the 2001 Journal Dinner Dance. Gail became a representative of Temple Israel to the Five Towns Jewish Council where she has served as President. She and her husband Randy have two children, Allen, a Temple Israel Bar Mitzvah and Confirmand, and Meredith who was a Bat Mitzvah, Confirmand and graduate.

GARRETT GRAY-VICE PRESIDENT-Garrett has been a member of Temple Israel for several years. He and his wife Lisa were married at Temple Israel in 1987. They have two children, Jessica, age 10 and Jason age 8, who both attend the religious school. Garrett, a trustee for the past two years, has served on numerous Temple Israel committees, including the legal, inreach, dinner dance and Rabbi search committees. Garrett also serves on the board of directors of Cedarhurst Little League. He is a partner in the

Manhattan general practice law firm of Zukerman, Gore and Brandeis, LLP, where he specializes in commercial litigation. He is a graduate of New York University College of Business and Public Administration and New York University School of Law. He and his family reside in Woodmere.

PENNY SCHUSTER– SECRETARY—Penny Schuster grew up in Lawrence. She graduated from Lawrence High School,

received a B.S. Ed. from Ohio University and an MBA from Adelphi University. A member of Temple Israel since childhood, Penny was confirmed and graduated from the Religious School. Married to Norman for 16 years, Penny and Norman have 2 children. Caryn, 13 is in 7^th grade at Lawrence Middle School and Jimmy, 8 is in second grade at #1 School. Both children attend Temple Israel’s

Religious School. Most recently, Penny has been the officer in charge of the Religious School, insurance committee and cemetery. She is Past President of #1 School’s PTA, Past President of Lawrence Middle School PTA and incoming President of Lawrence Council PTA. Penny works part time for a local electrician.

WILLIAM HENRY – TREASURER – Bill has been a member of Temple Israel for 27 years. He has been on the Board of Trustees for seven years and has served as Treasurer for 2 years. Bill has been appointed again for the 2001 –2002 year. He is the Fund Raising chairman which encompasses Kol Nidre, RCA and ARZA. Bill is involved with the UJA, is the Vice President of the Lawrence Club, on the Board of the 5 Towns Community Chest, and involved with

St. John’s Hospital along with other worthy charities. Bill has four children and eight grandchildren and one on the way.

LAURENCE ABRAMS– FINANACIAL SECRETARY– Larry has been a member of Temple Israel for 12 years. He and his wife Mindy, a long time congregant and first grade Sunday school teacher, were married in Temple Israel. Larry was drawn to temple commitment largely due to the example of his in-laws, Judy and Richard Chizner. Larry and Mindy have two children; a daughter Cory age 11 and a son Joshua age 9, who both attend our religious school. Larry is a Nursing Home Administrator for The Kingsbridge Rehabilitation Care Center. He is a graduate of the University of Delaware and received his M.B.A. from Adelphi University. Larry has served on and is a member of TIBS, the budget committee, finance, building, Sherri W. Philipson Computer Centre, Web page development, Religious School, pulpit committee and long range planning.