About the Honorees

Dana and Linda Mandel were raised on Long Island; Linda in Huntington, and Dana, the “other side of the tracks,” in Huntington Station. Dana spent his college years at SUNY Binghamton and SUNY Stony Brook. Linda attended SUNY Buffalo. Their journey together with Judaism began in the Finger Lakes. They bought a home in rural Kings Ferry and soon after began their 28 year-long relationship with Temple Beth El in Ithaca. Dana began his physical therapy practice specializing in pediatrics, and Linda taught special education in the public school system. Their children Aliza Filomena, Adam Jordan, and Rose Helene. were born and raised in King Ferry. Linda was Temple Beth El president for one year, taught in the religious school for many years, and also served as religious school director for one year. Since their move to this area, Linda has volunteered with the B’Yachad Religious School; helped an Afghan family acclimate themselves to Albany through the congregation’s social action committee, worked on the program committee; and has recently begun to learn Torah reading. Dana is treasurer at Ohav. He also serves as the treasurer of the Capital District Jewish Holocaust Memorial, Inc. They are both current members of the Ohav Board of Trustees.

Jean “Buzz” Rosenthal was born in Brooklyn to two Holocaust survivors. Buzz’s dedication to Ohav Shalom spans decades including service as president during the challenging years around September 11, 2001. Since coming to the Capital Region in the 1970s, he has devoted himself to public service and volunteerism as an EMT and instructor, 1980 Olympic ski patroller, community volunteer, and through a 39-year career with the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles. For the past decade, Buzz has played a central role in advancing Holocaust remembrance as one of the leaders of the Capital District Jewish Holocaust Memorial.

Edward “Ted” Wladis and Lianne Pinchuk Wladis have been active members of Congregation Ohav Shalom and the Capital Region Jewish community since moving here in 2008. At Ohav, they celebrated a baby naming and two bat mitzvahs in the sanctuary. Lianne co-founded Ohav Shalom Tots, a monthly program for young children. She has served on the long-range planning committee, has been chairwoman of the B’Yachad Board, and currently serves on the rabbi search and college outreach committees. As counsel in the NYS Assembly, she also provides guidance and leadership on ethical issues in New York State. Ted serves as treasurer of the Jewish Federation of Northeastern New York, where he previously received the Samuel Booth Award. He formerly served on the board of Mifgash. An oculoplastic surgeon, Ted has earned many professional honors. The couple’s daughters, Rebecca and Molly, have also been active participants in Ohav services and programs.

Congregation Ohav Shalom previously honored Laurie Abelson, Helene Ainspan, Judy Avner and Steve Eckert, Jeff and Debbie Cohen, Gregg Fox, 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. The event co-chairwomen are Judy Avner and Shari Piper, and they are supported by committee members Marla Gornstein, Laura Jacobs, Ellen Kattleman, Sheila Lobel, Sharon Lozman, Chana McIntyre, Nancy Pandolfo, Debbie Rausch, and Margery Diamond Zucker.

Tickets may be obtained at Reservations and information may also be made by calling Ohav Shalom at 518-489-4706 or by e-mailing Cecelia Soloviev at assistant@ohavshalom.org.