MARY SZEKELY

Mary is the computer tech/office assistant at ABI. She sends out the weekly email, creates flyers, the monthly Bluesheet, yearly calendar, and community directory. She also is the Leagram Chairman and Community News coordinator. She is in the ABI office with Sheila each day the office is open.

Mary was a computer tech/network administrator for the Euclid Public Schools for 17 years. She is a member of ABI and helps lead Shabbat services. She is the proud mother of three children and three grandchildren. She is also the President of the Vermilion Community Music Association, and plays in both of the bands at various venues in Lorain and Erie Counties.

SHEILA  EVENCHIK

Sheila is the Office Manager, Temple Liaison, and everything else at ABI. She keeps the temple running smoothly. Sheila started working at ABI in 1992 as the Religious School Director and then moved to the office in 1999. She is a member and past president of the Board of Trustees and Coordinator for Sisterhood.

Sheila was born and raised in Youngstown, Ohio, where her father was a Cantor at El Emeth temple. She moved to Lorain in 1957 after she married her husband, Alan. Sheila has three children, one daughter-in-law, two grandchildren and one great grandchild. She loves playing Mah Jong, reading, and socializing.

ARNIE MILNER

Arnie has been the president at ABI Synagogue since 2015. He is involved in the day-to-day operation and keeps the Synagogue running as smoothly as possible. Arnie is a retired podiatrist; he practiced in Oberlin Ohio for 36 years. Arnie is married to Diane Britt and they have one daughter, Lisa, and two granddaughters, Zoe Barb and Ruby Gert.

Since his retirement, his passion has been to educate the public in Lorain County on the Holocaust. Each year, the Holocaust Remembrance program has grown, with thousands of students and adults in attendance each year since it began. In his spare time, Arnie likes to visit family and friends, go to Cedar Point, and golf.

MARK JAFFEE

Mark Jaffee taught mathematics in Lorain County public schools for 45 years and is currently the Secretary-Treasurer of the Lorain Interfaith Association. He is a former President of Agudath B’nai Israel Congregation and has assumed the position of Ritual Director for the congregation. Mark conducts Shabbat and holiday services, officiates at funerals, visits sick and shut-in congregants, and plans adult education programs. He is also licensed by the State of Ohio to perform weddings. Mark and his wife Kathy have been married since 1970 and have two children: Sara, who is a Professor of Developmental Psychology at the University of Pennsylvania, and Brian, who is the Chier Executive Officer of the Jewish Foundation of Cincinnati. Brian and Sara each have daughters born in 2007 and 2009. Sara’s husband, Dr. Alan Haber, is a Pulmonary physician at Fox-Chase Cancer Hospital. Brian’s wife, Rabbi Shena Jaffee, is a community Rabbi who regularly teaches and lectures throughout Cincinnati. She serves Temple B’nai Israel in Monroe, Michigan and is currently working with the organizations Honeymoon Israel and 18Doors.