REGIONAL MAN OF THE YEAR 2024
Leslie Agisim grew up in New Jersey and went to College in Washington DC. He came to New York to make his fame and fortune and found Judaism and then the FJMC. He has been a member of Park Avenue Synagogue in New York City for over 38 years. He headed the Men’s Club of PAS for 8 years and enjoyed events such as Roses for Rosh Hashanah, Project Ezra food delivery for the Jewish elderly on the lower East Side and then inviting the elderly to the Synagogue for a party. Yom HaShoah candle program, Passover wine and Shumrah Matzah sale, Hearing Men’s Voices, Super Bowl parties, sporting events and much more.
Les became President of the New York Metro Region of the FJMC for three years and later became the head of the New York City division of the FJMC Metro bringing Synagogues of all denominations together to work together, learn together and be there during difficult times. He has made relationships that can never be replaced. He has learned that you give a little and get back much more in return.
In his professional career he is President of Trevor, Cole, Reid and Monroe, previously a securities company and President of Trevor Cole Commercial Co. of Ct Inc., a finance company bringing equity from private investors to clients.
He has been married to his wife Judy for over 49 years. He has one son Taylor who he is proud to say travels around the world bringing international sports to multiple countries primarily in Asia, Europe and the Middle East.
His philosophy is to look at the sunny side of everything and make optimism come true.
Les is thrilled to be the recipient of the 2024 FJMC Regional Man of the Year award and will cherish it always. He intends to continue to work with the FJMC and the Jewish community for many years to come.
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Rabbi Neil Zuckerman came to PAS in 2010 as Director of Congregational Education and joined the clergy team as Associate Rabbi in 2014.
As Director of Congregational Education, Rabbi Zuckerman successfully initiated and oversaw numerous programs and classes for learners of all ages. Rabbi Zuckerman previously served as Rabbi of Temple Israel Center in White Plains from 1999-2009 and as Senior Rabbi of Congregation Har Shalom in Potomac, Maryland, in 2010. In addition, Rabbi Zuckerman has served as president of the Westchester County Board of Rabbis and has chaired the Israel Committee of the Rabbinical Assembly.
A lifelong learner himself, Rabbi Zuckerman has been a rabbinic fellow at the Shalom Hartman Institute in Jerusalem in the Center for Rabbinic Enrichment (CRE). An exceptional opportunity to learn with colleagues and build relationships across the religious movements, CRE is a three-year program of study for rabbis of all denominations from North America, involving weekly classes via video conference and bi-annual study seminars in Israel.
Rabbi Zuckerman was raised in Harrisburg, PA, and began his Jewish education at Beth El, the Conservative synagogue there. He earned his B.A. in English from the University of Maryland. He attended the Jewish Theological Seminary of America (JTS), where he earned a master’s degree in Jewish Studies and was ordained a rabbi in 1999.
Rabbi Zuckerman is happy that his family is part of the PAS community.
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Daniel Levey is a senior at Riverdale Country School in the Bronx. Daniel has been an active member and leader in the Park Avenue Synagogue community since elementary school, and currently serves as a co chair of the Teens Combatting Antisemitism Task Force and a Vice President of the Teen Leadership Council. He is passionate about the work with the task force as it allows him to make a impact towards a problem that often feels out of reach.
Outside of Park Avenue Synagogue, Daniel leads his high school’s Jewish affinity group, is a three season cross country and track athlete and team captain, and has a passion for classical flute and molecular biology research.
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Ava Epstein is a senior at Riverdale Country School in NYC. She has been an active member of Park Avenue Synagogue throughout high school, participating in synagogue led trips and activities, serving as co-vice president of the Teen Leadership Board, and helping to initiate and lead the Teens Combating Antisemitism Task Force. Through this work, Ava has developed an interest in Judaic studies, which she hopes to further explore in college at Duke University next year.
Outside of Park Avenue Synagogue, Ava is co-president of Riverdale’s student council, leader of both the Youth Fighting Homelessness Club and the Citymeals on Wheels Chapter at Riverdale, and a member of the girls varsity soccer team.
In the future, Ava is excited to continue her work in public policy and urban planning, particularly in the area of affordable housing.
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Aaron Egol is a senior at Columbia Grammar and Preparatory School in Manhattan and will be attending Cornell University in the fall.
Aaron is an active member of Park Avenue Synagogue’s teen community, serving as President of the Teen Leadership Council and co-founder of the Teens Combatting Anti-Semitism task force.
Aaron also enjoys cooking, politics, tennis and jazz piano.
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Skylar Deutsch is a senior at Columbia Grammar and Preparatory School. Next year, she is attending George Washington University in DC.
At Park Avenue Synagogue, Skylar is the Co-Chair of the Teen Combating Antisemitism Task Force and the Co-Chair of the PAS Food Pantry. She is very passionate about the work she does at the synagogue with the hope to make a positive impact and contribution in and out of the Jewish community.
Outside of Park Avenue, Skylar is the catcher and Captain of the Varsity Softball Team, President of the Women’s Leadership Club at school, and loves to make pottery.