Our Executive Officers & Trustees

Justin Rubenstein
President
E-Mail Justin

Justin lives in New City with his wife, Lauren , and their two teenagers, Sawyer and Hadley. Their family joined the OJC in 2016.  A native of Worcester, MA, Justin has an MBA from NYU Leonard N. Stern School of Business and a BA in Mathematics and Economics from Colgate University. He is the Divisional Finance Officer for Chubb Insurance Company’s Global Digital & Analytics business. Justin is an avid alpine ski racer, crossfitter, ultra trail runner, mountain biker, likes to travel, listen to country music, and most of all, spend time with his family.

Benay Josselson
Co-Senior Vice President
 

Benay and her family have been members of OJC since 2017. She lives in New City with her sons Rafi, a freshman at Binghamton University, and Ben, a student at Clarkstown High School South. Benay grew up in Rockland County and attended Reuben Gittleman Hebrew Day School. A former employment attorney, Benay is currently Chief Administrative Officer for a project management firm. In 2022, Benay co-chaired OJC’s strategic planning committee and is excited to serve in her new executive role at the shul.

Josh Turnof
Co-Senior Vice President
 

Josh, his wife Jessica, and two daughters live in Tappan and joined the OJC in 2017.  From a young age, Josh learned the value and importance of community service. After high school, Josh lived in Israel as a participant on Nativ before attending Brandeis University for a BA in Politics and then earning an MBA from American University.  Over the years, Josh has volunteered extensively at the OJC and can be found frequently in the sanctuary on Shabbat and Yomim Tovim. His entire family is an active participant in the life of our congregation. Josh works at Salesforce as a Client Partner.

Debbie Roth
VP/
Fundraising
 

Debbie and her husband, Hal, have been OJC members for over 20 years, and are the proud parents of Jennifer, Hannah and Jake. Debbie earned a B.S.W. from Hebrew University in Jerusalem and went on to earn an M.S.W. from Adelphi University and a Master’s in Special Education from Fordham University. She arrived in Rockland County in 1990 and began working for the Rockland County Department of Mental Health, providing play therapy to children struggling with mental health issues.  In 2008, Debbie became the Assistant Director of Children’s Services at the Rockland County Department of Health.  Debbie has served on the boards of several Jewish non-profits. Now semi-retired, she volunteers at Margetts’s Elementary School while maintaining a small private practice and serving as co-owner of Compassionate Consultants, which provides individualized help to survivors after the death of a loved one. Debbie is the author of "Menopause is Maddening."

Sharon Aach
VP/Ritual & Engagement
 

Sharon and her husband, Steven Waldman, call River Vale, NJ, home.  They have two children, Josh, 31, who lives in Austin, TX, and Allison, 28. They have been members of the OJC since 1998.  Sharon is the co-owner of You’re So Invited!, an invitation and stationery boutique in Westwood, NJ, which opened in 2009.  At the OJC, she has served on the Board of Trustees, Ritual Committee, and was a member of the Religious School Board from 2003 - 2018, serving as co-president (together with Hara Hartman) for four years.  She also has been involved with Catering, Fundraising, and Special Events, and has created our Sisterhood Rosh Hashanah Cards and Religious School invitations. Sharon is grateful for this new opportunity to continue her service to our OJC community.

Amy Edelstein
VP/Youth & Education
 

Amy lives in New City, NY with her husband Michael and their children, Rebecca & Shayna, who were named in our shul. Amy & Michael own AMH Restoration located in Congers. Amy and Michael are long-time members, and Amy has served on the Board of Trustees since 2020. She also has served as president of the Kulanu board for the past four years. She is excited to work with our new educational director, Rabbi Shoyer. And she is passionate about her new executive role overseeing youth and education.  

Carl Roth
Co-VP/Finance - Treasurer
 

Carl emigrated from Czechoslovakia at the age of two and settled with his parents on a chicken farm near Vineland, NJ. After high school, he went to Fairleigh Dickinson University and obtained a bachelor's degree in accounting and a master's degree in taxation.  He worked for a Big Eight accounting firm, obtained his CPA, and some 45 years ago founded the Bergen County accounting firm at which he now serves as managing partner. His daughter, Lisa, works in HR for a large accounting firm.  He has been a member of OJC since 2011.  Carl served as Treasurer of Solomon Schechter Day School of Bergen County, where Lisa was a student, and served both on the audit committee and the board of directors at his former synagogue in Teaneck.  Carl & Harriett Wolf reside in River Vale, NJ.

David Schlossberg
Co-VP/Finance - Treasurer
 

David and his family have been OJC members for nearly 14 years. He and his wife, Alyssa, have three children, Rayna, Zev, and Avichai, who are all active members in the OJC community. David is a recovering CPA who works for a small manufacturing company in Greenwich, CT. He not only knows his way around our spreadsheets, but he's also been known to whip up a pretty good meal in our OJC kitchens. David and trustee Joe Sgueglia also serve as co-presidents of our Men's Club. 

Harriett Wolf
Financial Secretary
 

Harriet joined the OJC in 2005 after many years as an active member at another Rockland shul. She grew up in New Jersey and as a high schooler, moved with her family to the Chicago area, earning her bachelor's degree in special education from Northern Illinois University before moving to Houston, where she earned her master’s degree in teaching and diagnosing reading difficulties.  She moved to Rockland in 1976 with her young sons, Lary (now living in Rhode Island with his wife and son) and Andy (now living in Chester, NJ with his wife and three sons).  After some years as a stay-at-home mom, she went back to work as a Special Ed teacher in East Ramapo. Now retired, she maintains a private tutoring practice at her home in River Vale. Harriett has traveled to Israel with the OJC.  She enjoys traveling and attending our Shabbat services with Carl Roth.
 

Lori Rutcofsky
Recording Secretary
 

Lori and her husband Bryan, son Jacob (14) and daughter Shoshana (11), have been members of the OJC community since moving to New York in 2006. Lori was born in Chicago but was raised in Coral Springs, FL. She majored in education at the University of Florida and has been teaching ever since. After she and Bryan planned their relocation to Rockland (where Bryan was raised), they knew being a part of a community was important. And after attending an OJC Friday night service, Lori knew our shul was the right fit. Lori taught at Rockland Jewish Academy from its opening until its closing, and had a brief stint as the youth and family coordinator for New City Jewish Center. She is currently an intervention specialist for reading and math in Tarrytown.  Lori is an avid reader and enjoys spending time with friends and family. You can always find her somewhere between track meets, soccer games, and youth theater. 

Jacob Black
(Serves Through June 2026)

Jacob, his wife, Meredith, and their two children, Gavin (13) and Chloe (10), joined OJC in 2021. New City-raised, his Jewish education and values had their roots at Ruben Gittleman Day School. Jacob's family has been involved with Rockland Jewish institutions since the 80s. And for the past 20-plus years, he has worked with not-for-profit organizations and over 60 cooperative executive boards on budgeting and financial reporting. Jacob says that, especially in these times, it is an honor to follow in the footsteps of his parents, who have helped the Rockland Jewish community over the years. 

Dr. Robert Browner
(Serves Through June 2026)

Dr. Elliot Heller 
(Serves Through June 2028)

Elliot has been an OJC member since 2001, and has been active in the Rockland County Jewish community since he and his wife Sally (z”l) moved to Rockland in 1977, when Elliot began his Gastroenterology practice. He held a leadership position at the Reuben Gittelman Hebrew Day School, serving there as president of the board of trustees. Elliot also served on the board of trustees at the Pomona Jewish Center and was active in the Hudson Valley Political Action Committee. After 45 years of practice, he is now planning to “slow down” to a part-time position, and with more free time, he is excited to help the OJC community continue to flourish. A Shabbat regular in our sanctuary, he has served as a gabbai for the past several years and enjoys chanting haftorot.

Abi Klein 
(Serves Through June 2028)
 

Abi, her husband, Josh, and kids Reuben (6) and Elizabeth (almost 5), have been members of the OJC since 2022. Abi grew up in the Miami Jewish community, but always dreamed of living in New York. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Columbia University in 2010. And met Josh in 2014 while volunteering as a teacher in Petach Tikvah, Israel. They were married by our own Rabbis Scheff and Drill. Reuben came along pre-pandemic, and Lizzie during the height of the COVID scare. Through those difficult pandemic days, Rockland’s Jewish community was by our side and on our Zoom screen. When the world reopened, Abi joined the 2022 Strategic Committee to represent the voice of the shul’s young families. And since then, Abi, Josh and their family have connected with other young families through Early Kabbalat Shabbat, Tot Shabbat and young family programming on holidays, and musical highlights. Abi and Josh have invested in Reuben and Lizzie’s Jewish education and identities through Solomon Schechter Day School and Ramah Nyack, immersing them in our calendar, traditions, and Hebrew language. She and Josh know that the OJC is the perfect home base for their family for years to come. During business hours, Abi adores all things tech and is a Senior Software Engineer at a financial technology company. In her off-hours, Abi loves snowboarding, culinary exploration, lifting weights and running, and curling up with a good book.

Justin Leon
(Serves Through June 2026)
 

Justin, along with his wife, Amy, and their two daughters, Emma (6) and Sophie (4), joined the OJC in 2022. Justin’s grandparents, Myra and Jerome Leon, were founding members of the OJC in the early 1960s, and Justin and his family now reside in their former Blauvelt home. New City-raised, Justin’s Jewish education and values were shaped by his family’s involvement in their conservative synagogue, where his father served on the board of trustees and as president. As a newer member of OJC and as someone who is in an interfaith marriage, Justin believes that he can provide unique perspectives to the OJC Board of Trustees. In their short time at OJC, Justin and his family have become regular participants in the Early Kabbalat Shabbat services. Justin is also active in the OJC Men’s Club. An avid sports fan (go Yanks; sorry, Rabbi Scheff!), Justin was a collegiate baseball player and also played in a semi-pro league through 2021. Justin works for Philips Healthcare, collaborating with hospitals to improve patient care through innovation. Justin, Amy, Emma and Sophie love to spend time with friends, travel and enjoy the outdoors.

Robert Pitkofsky 
(Serves Through June 2028)
 

Rob and his wife, Lori, have three children: Hannah (19), Seth (17), and Evan (12). Rob serves as the co-chair of OJC’s Disability Rights Committee and also serves as co-chair of the synagogue's People & Culture committee. Rob has practiced law -- in public, not-for-profit, and private settings -- for over two decades. Currently, Rob serves as Section Chief/Assistant Attorney General for the Office of the New York State Attorney General, where he represents Helen Hayes Hospital and four New York State Department of Health veterans nursing homes. He previously served as in-house counsel at the Anti-Defamation League, and on the board of directors and business advisory councils for the Jewish Federation of Rockland County and numerous organizations throughout Rockland County since moving to New City in 2009. All three of his children are products of our beloved Camp Ramah network!

Dr. Michael Pucci 
(Serves Through June 2027)
 

After earning a psychology degree, impromptu travel and some contemplation, Michael earned a PhD. in pharmacy. While working in NYC, Michael met his future wife, Hara. They moved to Rockland and, in 2001, joined the OJC. Michael fulfilled a growing commitment with conversion to Judaism. His friends, teachers, and mentors at the OJC continue to guide his path in life. Michael served as secretary of the executive board from 2014-2018, and as our congregational president from 2018-2022. He's been active in the Men’s Club and has served on various committees. Hara and Michael live, off and on, with their wonderful adult daughters, Greta and Sophia, Stevie the cat, and his canine pal and ersatz service dog, Presley. Michael says the OJC community has been transformative, and has provided a loving "second home" for his family, who come to it for prayer; ruach; friendship; the joy of sharing and the sharing of joy; for solace and good counsel; for like-minded comradeship; the challenge of novel thinking; to be accepted and accepting; for opportunities to give tzedakah; and to serve people and causes greater than oneself.

Steve Richter 
(Serves Through June 2027)

Steve has served on our board of trustees for about a decade, and he's brought a wealth of experience and dedication to the role. He chairs the Ritual & Jewish Living Committee and has served on both the nominating committee and budget and finance committees. He is deeply involved in our community's spiritual life as part of the 18-person gabbaim team, assisting our Rabbis at services on Shabbat and holidays. He is a licensed CPA and serves as the Chief Financial Officer for an international distribution company. Volunteerism is a cornerstone of Steve's life, demonstrated through his 23-year tenure as an Auxiliary Police Officer with the Clarkstown Police Department -- and in his role as guardian coordinator for Big Apple Honor Flight, a national organization honoring our veteran heroes. Family is at the heart of everything I do. I have been married to my incredible wife, Brenda - the executive chef and food service general manager for the New York Boulders - for 38 years. Together, we have raised two wonderful children, Elyse (a professor of graphic design at Drexel University) and Ethan (an aerospace engineer), both graduates of Reuben Gittelman Hebrew Day School. Steve continues to go above and beyond in service to the OJC and the greater community beyond our walls.

Dan Salmon 
(Serves Through June 2028)
 

Dan is a 47-year Tappan resident. He and his wife, Ellie, have been OJC members for 39 years. Their three children celebrated their bar and bat mitzvahs at the synagogue. He spent his career in the local and national meat industry before retiring in 2020, and he consults from time to time. Previously, Dan served on the Board of JCC Rockland, Girl Scouts Heart of the Hudson and the South Orangetown Ambulance Corps, where he also volunteered as a driver. Currently, he serves on the board of Jawonio, where he has volunteered for more than four decades, serving as board chairman for six years. He also chairs the Jawonio Foundation board. Dan believes the OJC is a vital part of the Rockland County community, and feels privileged to help guide its future.

Arthur Sanders 
(Serves Through June 2027)

Arthur and his wife, Sharon, have been members of the OJC since 1998.  They reside in New City.  They have two children: Mark, 35, and Matthew, 32.  Mark is a full-time film editor and is also a part-time student seeking an advanced degree in Clinical Psychology.  Matthew is a software engineer and will be getting married in July of this year.  Arthur is an attorney with an office in New City, and for years has been a leader in the OJC community. He is a past president of our congregation, and has also served as vice president and as chair of the ritual committee. 

Ari Saposh
(Serves Through June 2026)
 

Ari was born in NY and raised in Teaneck, NJ. Both of his parents dedicated their lives to Jewish education for close to 20 years.  Growing up in a vibrant, egalitarian, Conservative shul and attending Camp Ramah in the Berkshires helped shape his Jewish values. Ari is a 2007 graduate of the University of Maryland, where he majored in political science and entrepreneurship. He met the girl who'd become his wife, Nomi, as a 12-year-old Ramahnik; they married in 2008. Ari started his career in real estate finance, and following his ambition for entrepreneurship, joined Bridge Marketing as the third official employee in 2010. Ari and Nomi moved to Rockland in 2015 and have three sons. A consistent presence in our sanctuary on Shabbat, Ari and Nomi strive to expose their boys to shul life and its importance of community. Ari has been a board member since 2019.

Joseph Sgueglia 
(Serves Through June 2028)
 

Joe and his wife Shoshanah live in Tappan with their three children, Zeke (9), Perry (7), and Tori (1), two dogs, eight chickens, six ducks, and one turtle. The Sgueglia family moved to Tappan from New City in 2022 to join the OJC. They were drawn to the OJC for the welcoming and supportive atmosphere that is maintained by leadership and members alike, and for the opportunities for meaningful engagement for all of them, including the kids. Shosh and the kids have spent their summers at Ramah Nyack since 2023. Joe's hobbies include gardening, caring for his myriad of animals, and spending quality time with his family. Joe & co-Finance VP David Schlossberg also serve as co-presidents of our Men's Club.

Mindy Zlotogura
(Serves Through June 2026)

Mindy has been an OJC member for over 20 years. She previously served two terms on the board of trustees and as recording secretary for Sisterhood.  She also served on the catering committee and personnel committee.  Mindy is a regular at Shabbat morning services and prides herself on helping out wherever she is needed.  She is committed to sustaining and growing a dynamic, pluralistic Jewish community.  Mindy is a real estate attorney with an office in West Nyack. In 2004-05, she served as the president of the Women’s Bar Association of the State of New York and has served two terms as president of the Rockland County Women’s Bar Association. Mindy currently serves as Secretary of the Rockland Business Women’s Network and is on the board of the Rockland County Women’s Bar Association.