Elyse Besso (and remembering Mike Besso)
Elyse Besso (sister of Barry Schwalb)
It all began 42 years ago, when Elyse and Mike (z”l) Besso’s oldest daughter Michele was in third grade ready for Hebrew school. They found and joined TBE because it was such a warm, wonderful, and welcoming synagogue. Subsequently, after daughter Julie started Hebrew School, Mike and Elyse became much more involved with temple life. Elyse served on the Board of Trustees for several years, doing Membership and Special Events. She then served as a VP under Susan Wolfe. Elyse has fond memories of playing guitar and singing at TBE’s coffee houses and helping out with Community Thanksgiving dinners and other projects. Mike became very involved in Men’s Club/Brotherhood, eventually ascending to the presidency. Both of the Besso girls, Michele and Julie, became B’not Mitzvah at TBE. Michele was president of the Youth Group and was confirmed and graduated from Hebrew High as well.
Along came Marcia and Barry, 2 kids and seven years later.
Promoted and relocated (coming home) from Massachusetts to New York in 1984, they continued to attend Barry’s childhood temple in Malverne, NY for the High Holy Days. By 1990, Rabbi Steinberg of Malverne Jewish Center, lovingly suggested the importance of becoming a part of their local Jewish community. It was the right time now for starting the Hebrew School experience for their children Ben and Emily.
Already familiar with TBE after attending their nieces’ bat mitzvah services, religious school Family Shabbat dinners, and numerous interactions with Diane Berg and Rabbi Shallat, the “deal was sealed” – Barry and Marcia felt right at home and became immersed in TBE Jewish life and learning. Their children Ben and Emily became B’nai Mitzvah, and Ben continued on to confirmation and graduation from Community Hebrew High School.
Becoming members of Temple Beth El, Marcia and Barry quickly found friendships and spiritual meaning participating in the Interfaith Outreach activities and now through the Chai Club. As “empty nesters” Marcia and Barry took their first journey to the promised land; an exciting and most memorable trip to Israel, led by Rabbi Jeff and Carol Clopper, and accompanied with a bus load of new and old TBE friends. This remains a true highlight of their temple community experience.
Marcia Schwalb
Marcia was asked to serve as a religious school class parent in 1990, Ben’s first year at TBE. Marcia then taught the 2’s class in the Early Learning Center for 15 years, and became known as “Miss Marcia!” to many. Next for her was serving as administrative assistant in the Religious School for many years. Marcia became active in many TBE committees and groups over the years, including Religious School, Social Action, Philanthropy, Cantor Sherry’s adult Hebrew class (became an Adult Bat Mitzvah), Sisterhood, Adult Choir, Israeli dance troupe, Bible Study class, Big Tent Judaism professional initiative, positions on the Board of Trustees of TBE and now a Past President.
As a Jew by choice, most of Marcia’s Jewish learning comes from experiencing Judaism with TBE and through TBE connections made to the greater Jewish world. Kudos especially to Diane Berg and the Religious School teachers, Rabbi Jeff, Rabbi Shallat, Cantor Alison and Cantor Sandy Sherry z”l.
Barry Schwalb
Right away after becoming members with young school aged children, Barry joined the Men’s Club/Brotherhood. His brother-in-law, Mike Besso was president at the time and a few administrations later, Barry became their president. A notable “Claim to Fame” of his administration with Doug Gilman as VP was the creation of the Charlie Mayer Meritorious Service Award which some 30 years later, continues to recognize congregants who go above and beyond, just like Charlie selflessly did for many years behind the scenes at TBE.
Of lesser note was the re-energizing of the organization to again become a vital organization to TBE’s success. With a cadre of youthful members, the temple softball team was established, where minor injuries and great comradery was the norm. Super Bowl parties extraordinaire took place in the Youth Lounge with rooftop TV antennae rotation in brutal weather to improve the reception.
Today, his impact can still be felt as a long-long time regular Sukkah constructor, remembering the years when it was constructed on the front lawn hill, and doing other good works contributing to the outdoor beautification and maintenance of TBE.
With Marcia joining the choir and Cantor Sherry z”l finding out that Barry played trumpet, she asked him to accompany the adult choir on trumpet, and then echo Surelle Heiberger z”l on shofar in the middle of the sanctuary for Rosh Hashanah services. Thank you Cantor Sherry z”l and thank you Surelle z”l for lending Barry her shofar as he had not yet owned his own. The shofar echoing tradition continues and Barry now armed with his own shofar acquired during that wonderful TBE trip to Israel which miraculously just fit in their lone piece of luggage, is still so honored to be blowing the calls at High Holy Days.
Cantor Sherry z”l also asked Barry to form a TBE Klezmer Band for Simchat Torah and to participate in the inaugural TGIS band. Those traditions are still with us thanks to Rabbi Jeff and Cantor Alison. Barry has volunteered for numerous Chutzpah Repertory Theater Pit orchestras, singing with Marcia in the adult choir, gardening, fixing things around their temple “house” and generally being helpful whenever needed. He is currently serving on the Board of Trustees.
For Elyse, Mike z”l, Barry and Marcia, the search for an open, accepting and comfortable Jewish community for their families brought them to TBE. It’s a blessing to be able to continue sharing Jewish experiences with their grandchildren Max and Tessa whenever possible, near and far – l’dor v’dor. The lasting friendships they’ve made over the years and TBE’s amazing clergy and staff have enfolded and kept them here with love and still going strong!