A Conversation with Ronnie & Rachelle Silverstein

Ronnie and Rachelle Silverstein's Beth Tfiloh story began over 45 years ago when they came to BT as a young new family. "Beth Tfiloh has always been a welcoming community for us. When we were young and looking to connect with a shul, Beth Tfiloh became a natural fit."

As children, both Ronnie and Rachelle attended the Hebrew School. Rachelle became a Bat Mitzvah with Rabbi Rosenblatt and Ronnie was active in the many Beth Tfiloh sports leagues.

As adult members of the Congregation, the Silversteins sent both of their children, Andra and Larry, to Beth Tfiloh Hebrew School and both became Bat and Bar Mitzvah at Beth Tfiloh as well. During this time they developed a close relationship
with Rabbi Rosenblatt and have continued with that tradition as they enjoy a close relationship with Rabbi Wohlberg. In fact, before making decisions about their charitable donations, they always run their choices by Rabbi Wohlberg for his heksher. Rabbi Wohlberg has also played an important role in many of their lifecycle events, including both of their grandaughters' baby naming ceremonies. Beyond these close relationships, what has made Beth Tfiloh most meaningful to them has
been their granddaughters' experience as students at Beth Tfiloh Dahan Community School.

Renee and Elizabeth, 7th and 5th grade, have been at BT since they started school. "We have been so pleased with the structure that the school provides for them. They just love going there, they love the teachers and they love their friends. Their teachers truly care about them, it's just incredible." Their daughter Andra, who has worked at Beth Tfiloh Camp, and recently  began working in the Pre-School, is so appreciative of what the school has done for her daughters.

"Our family has felt so embraced by Beth Tfiloh that we decided we wanted to invest our resources to help the school to continue its excellent educational program." The Silversteins have established a fund to provide resources for families needing to get educational testing for their children. "We have decided to direct our gift in this way because we have learned about the
financial burdens of families needing to access academic support and we are honored to be able to help others provide for their children."

In addition to establishing this fund, the Silversteins support Beth Tfiloh in a variety of other ways, including their generous support of the Annual Campaign as members of the Hineini Society, and are consistent supporters of the Spotlight Annual Scholarship Event. They shared their belief that "we want to do our part in making a Beth Tfiloh education available for
more students, regardless of their ability to pay." The Silversteins have also invested in the future of Beth Tfiloh as members of the Kadima Legacy Society by supporting the school's endowment. "We believe in Beth Tfiloh and we want Beth Tfiloh
to be around for many generations to come."