This month Beth El congregant Marissa Myers will receive an award for Young Leadership at the Third Annual Azor hof Hayam Awards Reception and Celebration. Marissa has long been an active, involved and vocal member of Beth El Congregation. This award gives her hard work recognition from not only the Beth El community, but the UCSJ Seaboard region.
Marissa has been integrally involved in the synagogue in many ways. She has served as the head of the Infant-toddler parent committee which she initiated, created and worked hard to foster. As the head of this newly formed committee, she worked along with staff, clergy, and other parents to create meaningful and exciting programs for the infants and toddlers in our program and their families. From big projects such as creating Infant/Toddler Chanukah celebration to facilitating parent meetings. Marissa has dedicated herself to connecting young families with other young families. Marissa has also concerned herself with what goes on inside the classroom.
As a mother of Ariel, a student in our infant toddler program, she has consistently looked out for the growth of our children and to making sure that the toys, games and materials inside of the classroom are age-appropriate and stimulating for the children that spend their days downstairs. In addition to the responsibilities she has taken upon herself in the infant toddler wing, Marissa spent many months serving on the search committee for a Director of the Preschool and was a dedicated part of that committee, as well adding important insights as an educator and a parent. Marissa is also a committed part of the M&Ms and Tot Shabbat community, is a regular at Friday night services and Shabbat morning services and is here on every holiday, as well.
According to Rabbi Saroken, “She, her husband Mike and her family can always be counted on to bring happiness, kindness and their presence to all of the programs and activities that take place at Beth El. We are truly blessed to have Marissa (and her whole family) at Beth El!”
Marissa’s ties to Beth El even pre-date her preschool involvement. Her grandparents, the late Katie and Morris Chernoff were among the founding families of Beth El and her parents, Glenda and Nathan Chernoff have been constantly active in the Beth El community. Marissa and her two brothers grew up at Beth El attending nursery school and religious school, and children’s services on Shabbat. After her bat mitzvah, Marissa continued her involvement at Beth El by becoming a bar/bat mitzvah tutor, and this continued even through her years at college.
Dr. Eyal Bor added, “I remember Marissa as a student of our religious school as well as a tutor in the Bar Mitzvah program. She was a curious student who loved learning about Judaism with passion and interest. Marissa was an outstanding tutor who knew how to engage the students and to capture their interest in learning for their Bar Mitzvah. As chair of the of the Infant Toddler program's parent committee, Marissa is organized and always brings good ideas to the meetings. Marissa is well deserving of this prestigious award thus, I wish her and her immediate family, Nathan and Glenda Chernoff who are long time members of Beth El a hearty Mazal Tov!“
Marissa’s feelings for Beth El should come as no surprise, “I have always had special connections to Beth El and having a family history at Beth El plays a large role in my involvement. When I met my husband Mike, it was only natural that I introduced him to Beth El. He began studying with Rabbi Schwartz and now is actively involved on the Board at Beth El.”
Marissa’s commitment and involvement in Beth El is something that makes the congregation a better place for people of all ages. And perhaps she can sum it up the best, in saying, "Beth El has been a significant part of my life; and together, Mike and I will continue to play an active role in the Beth El community. Jewish tradition is meaningful to us and Beth El is indeed our spiritual home." The families of Beth El are lucky the Chernoff and Myers families call it home.
To download and print out the form for tickets to the event, please click here.
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