Lynette and Richard Balter joined North Shore Jewish Center in 1984. In 2024 they
joined the forty-year membership club. In 1985 they were blessed with the birth of Ian and in 1989 Vanessa. In 1986, playing in the softball league was Richard’s first Men’s Club activity. Following Ian’s Bar Mitzvah in 1998, he became more involved in both the religious/spiritual and administrative spheres at the synagogue. After learning Torah trope from Ann Helfgot, he became a Torah reader on Shabbos, at the morning minyan, and the high holidays. Richard would also share in leading the davening at the morning minyan. As a member of the Board of Trustees his duties would include liaison to the Commack Y, followed by Vice President of Education.
In February 2002, his band rocked the night away at NSJC. Equally uplifting were his experiences as one of the percussionists with the synagogue’s klezmer band, the Hot Latkes. In 2002, Balters’ Busters won the NSJC Softball League Championship, defeating the Scach Attack 13-7. In 2003, Lynette and Richard were honorees at the synagogue gala. In 2004, he and Sheryl Roberts co-chaired the 110 Year Anniversary Gala and Torah dedication in honor of Nat Lebowitz. Cherished are the Balter family memories of the synagogue’s annual excursion to the Catskill Mountains.
In the early years, he was informally available to help with medical problems during the High Holidays. In later years, he was honored to serve on the High Holiday Red Kippah Brigade. Richard regularly attends Shabbos services and if the Cantor is away, available to lead the Shacharit or Musaf service. He is a participant in the evening minyan and shiva minyan. He participates in our local Run for Their Lives Walk, organized by Jeffrey Adelman and Roy Franks, to raise awareness for the plight of the Israeli hostages.
Dr. Richard Balter is honored to be selected as the 2025 NSJC Men’s Club Federation Man of the Year.
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Jillian Queller has been a cherished member of NSJC since she was just two years old, when her family moved to Long Island from Delaware, and she joined the nursery school. From that moment on, the synagogue became her second home. She attended the nursery school until she headed to kindergarten and she attended Hebrew School from Gan through graduation, all while actively participating in the youth group and USY. Her dedication and leadership have shone through, serving as a Vice President of USY each year until this year, when she proudly stepped into the role of President.
A senior at Comsewogue High School, Jillian is not only an outstanding student, maintaining a perfect 100 average, but also a passionate member of the arts community. She has been deeply involved in the theater program and chorus, bringing creativity and enthusiasm to everything she does.
This fall, Jillian will embark on her next journey at SUNY Binghamton, where she looks forward to continuing her love for Jewish community and leadership as a member of the university’s Hillel chapter.