Honoring
Naomi & Arnie Lehrer
Arnie and Naomi moved to Woodmont nine years ago and immediately found a welcoming home at Chabad of Milford-HCW—a community they describe as comfortable, accepting, and warm. Arnie takes great pride in his weekly role helping set up the kiddush each Shabbat morning. Prior to living in Woodmont, they were dedicated "shleppers" throughout the 19-year run of the Woodbridge Minyan, always willing to lend a hand wherever needed. Since October 7, Naomi has volunteered in Israel, preparing thousands of sandwiches for soldiers and helping secure essential supplies and equipment, while Arnie made tzitzit for soldiers who requested them. Their lives have long been defined by a deep commitment to serving both the Jewish community and the Jewish people.
Married for 48 years, Arnie and Naomi have built lives centered on family, community, and service. Arnie has held numerous leadership roles in Jewish communal organizations and currently serves as a New Haven Commissioner and Vice President of the Chapel West Special Services District. Naomi, a trained social worker and former Vice President of ORT, has continued a lifelong commitment to helping others. Their greatest joy is spending time with their children and grandchildren, Maya and Eli, and they feel truly blessed to have them close by.
Honoring
Irit & Jonathan Perkins
Irit and Jonathan have been married for 46 years. Irit was born in Israel and Jonathan in South Africa. They met in South Africa during their last year of high school, spent time together on a Kibbutz, and were married in Israel two years later. After living in London for a short time, they moved to the United States, where they have built a life centered on family. Today, they are grateful that four generations of their family live within 75 miles of one another.
Irit and Jonathan are very happy to be able to walk to Chabad of Milford-HCW on Shabbat morning with their grandchildren, who love going to shul. They are grateful to have Rabbi Schneur as their rabbi and Chanie as their rebbetzin, and especially appreciate the care and concern they have shown to their family. Being part of the Chabad-HCW community is a source of great joy in their lives.
Honoring
Gayle & David Slossberg
Gayle is the CEO of the Jewish Federation of Greater New Haven, working to strengthen Jewish life, support those in need, combat antisemitism, and build a vibrant Jewish future for the region. She previously represented Milford and neighboring communities in the Connecticut State Senate for fourteen years. An attorney by training, she has devoted her career to public service, including serving as Chief Compliance and Integrity Officer at Yale New Haven Health. Throughout her career, she has remained a passionate advocate for Jewish life and a proud supporter of Milford's growing Jewish community.
David is the managing partner and owner of Hurwitz Sagarin & Slossberg, a Milford law firm. An accomplished trial lawyer with more than 37 years of experience, he is recognized for both his legal acumen and his commitment to professional ethics. He has served as an arbitrator for the American Arbitration Association, on the Public Outreach Committee for the U.S. District Court for the District of Connecticut, and as a member of the Connecticut Statewide Grievance Committee. Among his many community leadership roles, David is a past Chair of the Milford Chamber of Commerce and the former Connecticut Regional Board Chair of the ADL.
David and Gayle have long believed that showing up matters. For decades, they have been steadfast supporters of Jewish life in Milford, encouraging the growth of the local Jewish community and the continued flourishing of the Hebrew Congregation of Woodmont. They are the proud parents of Jeremy, Alex, and Rebecca, and look forward to welcoming their new daughter-in-law, Alejandra Zeiger, into the family this October.
In Memoriam
Dick Jacobs
Dick Jacobs passed away this year at the age of 95. He was a prominent New Haven attorney and was indefatigable in his advocacy for his clients. Family was everything to him, and he took the greatest pride in his four sons and their families. He was an avid football fan and left behind a legendary legacy as a Yale Bulldogs super-fan. He was the longest-attending member of the Hebrew Congregation of Woodmont, having attended services from childhood until a few weeks before he passed. His dedication to his family and his faith serves as an example for us all.
