The Brandeis Men's Club works with Nechama to help Hurricane Sandy victims
Click HERE for details.
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Freddie Kotek - 2012 Man of the Year
A Short Bio - Freddie Kotek
Our family joined Temple Israel Ridgewood almost twenty years ago as a result of our search for a congregation that was both traditional and egalitarian. At the time Beth and I had two daughters, Robyn and Risa, enrolled in the Solomon Schechter Day School of Bergen County (SSDS). We wanted them to comfortably apply all the knowledge and skills they were learning and we found a welcoming home at Temple Israel. When our third daughter Dara was born, she was named on the bimah at Temple Israel. She and her sisters became Bat Mitzvah at Temple Israel, Robyn in the old building, Risa offsite because of the construction and Dara in our current sanctuary. Beth and Dara continue to take advantage of the opportunity to read Torah regularly, which is a welcome reminder of why we joined in the first place.
Soon after I joined Temple Israel, I was appointed to the Board at the option of the President at the time. Over the years I have served as a Board Member for several different terms. I try to allocate my volunteer work between Temple Israel and the Solomon Schechter Day School of Bergen County and contribute to the two communities that are very important to our family. Early on at Temple Israel I chaired a committee that developed a feasibility and implementation plan for establishing a nursery school. The plan was tabled because of the decision to construct our current facility. I have continuously served on the Endowment Investment Committee, which operates under the practices and philosophies that I took part in developing and instituting more than ten years ago. I have served on Rabbi and Interim Rabbi search committees as well as several Rabbi contract negotiating committees. I have also participated in many development programs for the synagogue including the Temple Gala, Chairing the Circle of Honor Campaign and making the Kol Nidre appeal.
Born in Paterson, NJ, I earned an AB degree in Economics from Rutgers College where Beth and I met as undergraduates. We were married in 1981 after I graduated with an MBA from The Harvard Graduate School of Business. We settled in Fair Lawn almost 30 years ago, where we still live with our daughter Dara, a junior at Solomon Schechter High School of Westchester. Our older daughters Robyn and Risa live in Manhattan. Beth continues her professional career as the Director and owner of the Ridgewood Speech & Language Center. I work for Atlas Energy, LP, where I am responsible for the Investment Partnership division that originates manages tax advantaged natural gas drilling programs.
Brandeis Men's Club Welcome Letter and Membership Form
Memory Lane
Bob Obeiter - 2011 Man of the Year Denis Vogel - 2010 Man of the Year Bob Smolen - 2009 Man of the Year
Left to right: Robert Rohrberger, David Millman, Eric Klein -- all prior presidents of the Brandeis Mens Club
Brandeis Men's Club members building the Sukkah
Fun Slide at the Brandeis Men's Club BBQ
Enjoying good conversation and music at the BBQ