Editor’s note: This event has already taken place.

ALBANY–Congregation Ohav Shalom has named Helene Ainspan and Gregg Fox as volunteers of the year and will note their efforts at the congregation’s annual Shomrei HaBayit Volunteer Recognition event on Sunday morning, June 8, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The program will be held at the synagogue, 113 Krumkill Rd., Albany.

Helene Ainspan began her journey with Congregation Ohav Shalom on July 5, 1959, when she married Robert Ainspan.

Her 61 years of involvement with the congregation includes singing with the choir, assisting with junior congregation and serving on the board of trustees. She was a member of the rabbi search committee that selected Rabbi Dan Ornstein.

According to program organizers, perhaps her most enduring contribution has been her decades of service as volunteer librarian. A special moment in her library work, it was reported, was her participation in the dedication of the library in memory of Cantor Daniel Chick.

Ainspan’s connection to education also encompasses her 14 years as the school secretary at the Hebrew Academy of the Capital District.

Ainspan, a founding member of Ne’imah, the Jewish Community Chorus, continues to sing with the group.

A longtime resident of the Ohav Sholom apartments, Ainspan has fostered connections between the Jewish residents and the congregation, often bringing friends to services and events. She has served on the Tenants Association in various leadership roles, including as secretary, vice president, and president.

Ainspan is bubby to nine grandchildren and has four great-grandchildren.

Gregg Fox was born and raised in Albany and attended Guilderland High School, graduating in 1994. Fox pursued a degree in physical therapy at Daemen College in Buffalo for three years before transferring to Buffalo State College. There, he earned his bachelor’s degree in special education. Fox returned to Albany to complete his master’s degree in special education at the University at Albany, graduating in the summer of 2000. After earning his graduate degree, Fox began his career as a special education teacher at Averill Park High School.

Fox and his family have been Ohav Shalom members for nearly 45 years. In July 2006, Gregg married Jennifer Stokes, whose family also has a history with the congregation. Together, they welcomed their son, Rami, in October 2009.

Fox’s connection to Judaism and volunteerism began in his youth through his involvement with Kadima and later during high school with United Synagogue Youth (U.S.Y.). During college, Fox remained active in U.S.Y. serving as a regional staff member for several years. He later became Temple Israel’s U.S.Y advisor for four years, followed by another four years as Ohav Shalom’s U.S.Y. advisor. His leadership extended to roles as regional field worker and regional director.

After becoming a father, Fox joined the congregation’s board of trustees and the finance committee. This led to an eight-year tenure as treasurer and a subsequent three-year term as the congregation president, which concluded in May. Beyond his formal leadership roles, other ways that Fox has contributed to the congregaation include coordinating High Holy Day ushering, organizing the construction and dismantling of the congregation’s sukkah, assisting with Shabbat greeting, and supporting the house and grounds committee.

Fox has a long-standing connection to Temple Israel’s Camp Givah. Over the years, he has held various roles at the camp, including camper, counselor, director, and, most recently, as part of the house and grounds team.

Shomrei HaBayit means “Guardians of the House.” Congregation Ohav Shalom previously honored Laurie Abelson, Judy Avner and Steven Eckert, Jeff and Debbie Cohen, Dorothy and Rob Ganz, Walter Greenberg, Laura and Ed Jacobs, Jeremy Kassel, David Levine, Sheila and Ira Lobel, Sharon Lozman, Richard and Rabbi Beverly Magidson, Shari and Neil Piper, Libby Post and Lynn Dunning-Vaughn, Michelle and Danny Sanders, Terry and Dan Tyson, and Margery and Alan Zucker as Shomrei HaBayit Volunteers of the Year.

Ticket cost and other information may be obtained at https://www.ohavshalom.org/support-us/shomrei-habayit/. Reservations may also be made by calling Ohav Shalom at 518-489-4706 or by e-mailing Cecelia Soloviev at assistant@ohavshalom.org.