Juliana & Rabbi Michel Schlesinger
Rabbi Michel Schlesinger has been serving as the HERJC
Rabbi since 2021, when he arrived in New York with his wife,
Juliana, and their daughters, Tamar and Naomi. Children and
grandchildren of immigrants who fled Europe between the
wars or survived the Holocaust, they were raised in homes
where Jewish history and culture blended with Brazilian tastes and colors.
The couple met during their undergraduate studies in São Paulo, Brazil’s largest city, when Michel was a law student and Juliana was double-majoring in Social Sciences and Journalism. Juliana attended the Shabbat services where Michel had been serving as a lay leader since he was 14 years old.
At the end of their college years, Michel decided to pursue his rabbinical studies in Israel. The couple embarked on the journey together and lived in Jerusalem for four years. Michel attended the Schechter Institute of Rabbinical Studies and earned a master’s degree in Talmud and Halacha. Juliana received her master’s degree in Anthropology from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.
Upon returning to São Paulo, Michel served for more than 15 years as the senior rabbi of South America’s largest congregation. Juliana earned her PhD and completed a postdoctoral fellowship in Hebrew Literature. Their daughters were born there and quickly learned their parents’ love of travel, learning, and meeting new people.
During the pandemic, Juliana and Michel decided it was time to live abroad—now with their children. Michel applied for the rabbi position at HERJC, and, wearing masks and keeping distance, the family of four arrived at JFK on a stormy, rainy night in September—five days before Rosh Hashana.
More than four years have passed. Tamar is now a Junior and Naomi is an eighth grader in the Lynbrook schools. Juliana has been working at the Morgan Library & Museum for the past two years, and Michel is watching his congregation grow strong, welcoming, and very proud of itself.
Michel and Juliana feel deeply honored to be celebrated at the 2026 HERJC Gala. If they have come to be part of HERJC, HERJC has also become a central part of their lives, showing appreciation and kindness in every possible way. It is a joyful meeting of Bossa Nova and Jazz.
Betsy Kass: Distinguished Service Award
Betsy Kass was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, where she
developed a deep appreciation for community, family, and shared values.
It was there that she met her childhood sweetheart, Elliot Kass, whose
kindness, warmth, and sense of humor shaped their life together.
They later settled in North Woodmere, where they raised their family
and built lasting roots.
Betsy and Elliot are the proud parents of three children. Their eldest, Jaimee, pursued a career in law and is now an attorney. Jaimee and her husband, Tom, are the parents of two daughters, Jordan and Emily. Six years after Jaimee’s birth, Betsy and Elliot welcomed twins, Matthew and Erica. Erica followed in her sister’s footsteps and became an attorney. She and her husband, Almog, are the parents of three children—Noa, Adi, and Eli. Matthew began his professional journey as a musician before transitioning into a successful career in the automotive industry.
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Betsy has always been deeply connected to synagogue life. As an active member of Temple Israel of Lawrence, she served as Vice President of the Executive Board, participated on numerous committees, sang in the choir, and oversaw the May Museum. She feels truly fortunate to have been embraced by not just one, but two extraordinary communities throughout her life.
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Betsy’s involvement with the Hewlett-East Rockaway Jewish Centre began in 1995, when her dear friend, Helaine Ronen, helped her secure a position in the synagogue office. What began as a professional opportunity soon became a lifelong commitment. Over the years, Betsy has served in multiple roles, from the synagogue office to her current position as administrative assistant in the Early Childhood Center, becoming a familiar and trusted presence to generations of families.
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Like many families, the Kass family has experienced both moments of great joy and profound loss. Betsy suffered the greatest loss of her life with the passing of her beloved husband, Elliot, whose legacy of love, kindness, and devotion continues to be felt by all who knew him.
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HERJC has been far more than a workplace for Betsy; it has been a source of purpose, inspiration, and connection. Through her daily interactions, dedication, and warmth, she has helped shape a welcoming environment grounded in Jewish values, education, and community. Her work has allowed her to form meaningful relationships, support families at every stage of life, and remain deeply engaged in a community she cherishes.
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Betsy is deeply honored to be recognized by the Hewlett-East Rockaway Jewish Centre. With heartfelt appreciation, she acknowledges the profound role this community has played in her life.
Michael Goldwasser: Emerging Leader
Michael was born in West Virginia to a rabbi and a social worker,
which probably can’t be said about too many other people. The family
moved to Queens, NY when Michael was 7 years old, where his father
became the rabbi at Temple Beth Sholom in Flushing. From a young
age, Michael was interested in music, history, reading, baseball,
basketball, Judaism, and Israel.
Michael attended Hunter College High School and then Columbia University in New York City,
all the while pursuing his passion for music by writing and performing his original songs in
venues throughout New York City and beyond. Michael co-founded his record label, Easy Star
Records in 1996. He has since produced multiple Billboard charting albums and has received
praise from members of bands such as Pink Floyd and Radiohead. In recent years, Michael has
worked with Grammy-winning artists Jason Mraz and Kelly Clarkson. He has also had dozens
of his songs used in TV and film.
Michael met his amazing wife Ami in 2001and they have been married since 2003. After
returning from living in Israel, they landed in Woodmere, occasionally attending HERJC until
deciding to formally join in 2018. They have two incredible daughters, Tali and Sivan, who both
became bat mitzvah here at HERJC, and who have been active participants at services, events,
and volunteering over the years.
Michael regularly attends and participates at services and enjoys reading Torah. He was on the
Re-Opening Committee during the pandemic and has been on the Ritual Committee since 2021.
In 2024, Michael became the Chair of the Ritual Committee, and he has been committed to
finding new ways to encourage participation from congregants, to keeping communication
flowing between congregants and clergy, and to navigating the bridge between continuity and
change. Michael has also been a member of the Israel Committee since its inception.
Most recently, Michael has joined the Search Committee for our next hazzan.
Michael has traveled to Israel countless times as a resident, as a volunteer, as a performer and
producer, and to visit friends and family. He is particularly interested in spreading knowledge
about the Ethiopian community in Israel, where he has several dear friends. Even though
Michael was born in the U.S., he considers Israel to be his home.
Michael would like to thank everyone in the HERJC community for warmly embracing his
family, and to congratulate his fellow honorees at this year’s Gala.
