Susan Elkins & Jack Winerock
Susan Elkins & Jack Winerock
In 2023, Susan Elkins and Jack Winerock celebrated two 50th anniversaries: their marriage and their membership at the LJCC.
From the very first service they attended at the LJCC, Susan and Jack felt the warm and welcoming environment. Susan had a Reform and Conservative background, and Jack had a Traditional experience davening with his father at a NYC shul and singing in a Jewish children’s choir. They loved the mixture of service traditions at the LJCC.
Jack started leading services right away and joining other volunteer cantors. After Susan took a Hebrew class, they began co-leading services. They brought tunes they had learned from Jewish Renewal services in Philadelphia and later from Debbie Friedman songs they learned from their daughters at Jewish camp. Susan eventually led the monthly Shiray Shabbat (“Songs of Shabbat”) service (started by Diane Whitten-Vile) that included a variety of musical instruments. Diane also produced a CD to raise money for the Religious School that was sold in our gift shop.
Susan and Jack also co-led a First Night Rosh Hashanah service (created by Hillel Director Daveen Litwin and Susan in 1980) that was held yearly until about 2017. It became so popular and drew in so many people, it was held downstairs in the social hall, while a more traditional service was held upstairs. Jack led other High Holiday services and b’nai mitzvot himself. They both named babies, performed funerals, led seders. Their harmonizing and Jack’s old-world voice and chanting made the Shabbat service and the First Night Rosh Hashanah service special. And the congregation caught the spirit.
They both served on the Ritual Committee at different times, and Jack as a concert pianist, performed fundraising concerts at the LJCC. Susan served five different terms as LJCC president and many years on the Board. She co-directed the Sunday School for a couple of years alongside Leni Salkind, teaching (among others) Jordan Yochim (now former LJCC President and Treasurer) as well as other 5th graders who later became community leaders.
Jack and Susan’s daughters, Mollie and Emily, also loved the LJCC. It was a place where they felt special as soon as they entered. In addition, the community was an invaluable source of support to their family during difficult times. Their adult children are still seeking a similar congregation in their East Coast home cities. And now Susan and Jack’s grandchildren love coming to the LJCC, especially when “Papa” participates in the service.
Susan and Jack have purchased many leaves for the Tree of Life (the beautiful Herb Friedson enamel sculpture on the south wall of the social hall). The inscribed leaves tell their family story, and Susan and Jack want to leave a legacy for the future of all LJCC members and their stories.
Sat, May 3 2025
5 Iyyar 5785
-
Sunday ,
MayMay 4 , 2025
Sunday, May 4th 3:00p to 4:30p
A look at the daily prayer cycle, the weekly liturgical cycle, and the annual cycles of Torah readings and holidays. -
Tuesday ,
MayMay 6 , 2025Discussion of Community Mural Project (virtual)
Tuesday, May 6th 8:00p to 9:00p
Last month, local muralist Dave Loewenstein visited the LJCC to share about his work - its inspiration, the process through which he achieves community-created artworks, and how he might facilitate a community mural for our own building. There is positive momentum behind this project and a strong likelihood that we will work with Dave. We invite you to join us to learn more about Dave, his work, how the LJCC mural would come about, and to share your thoughts, reservations, enthusiasm, etc. about this project. Member feedback and openness to this project is crucial to its success! -
Saturday ,
MayMay 10 , 2025
Shabbat, May 10th 10:30a to 1:00p
Join us for a special Saturday Morning Services. Professor Steve Bien-Aime will give a talk on inclusive language and veganism at the conclusion of our Synagogue Vegan Challenge. -
Friday ,
MayMay 16 , 2025Annual Backyard Nosh and Shabbat Picnic at Lara & Ari's - it's (basically) Lag BaOmer!
Friday, May 16th 5:30p to 7:30p
It's almost summer, which means it's time to kick off our Shabbat picnic season! Lara and Ari are happy to be able to welcome you to their home for a BYO-picnic to mark Lag BaOmer - and to celebrate the respective graduations of Henry and Yoni. -
Sunday ,
MayMay 18 , 2025Religious School Closing: Celebrating a year in learning
Sunday, May 18th 11:00a to 12:00p
-
Tuesday ,
MayMay 20 , 2025LINK: informational session & discussion of our service at LINK (in person)
Tuesday, May 20th 5:30p to 6:30p
Gathering for current LINK volunteers to bring folks up to date and to discuss our participation in LINK -
Friday ,
MayMay 23 , 2025
Friday, May 23rd 7:00p to 9:00p
Potluck oneg to follow -
Friday ,
MayMay 30 , 2025
Friday, May 30th 6:00p to 8:00p
A casual dinner and candlelighting at Oriental Bistro -
Sunday ,
JunJune 1 , 2025Shavuot
Sunday, Jun 1st 3:00p to 6:00p
-
Friday ,
JunJune 6 , 2025
Friday, Jun 6th 7:00p to 9:00p
Friday Night Services with a potluck oneg to follow. Sarah Hinton of Global Midwives joins as part of our summer speaker series.
Joing our Mailing List
Email lawrencejcc@gmail.com to subscribe!
Upcoming Events:
Privacy Settings | Privacy Policy | Member Terms
©2025 All rights reserved. Find out more about ShulCloud