Leadership

About Our President, Bob Fischman

A lifelong resident of Woodmere, Bob and his wife (First Lady, Co-President of the Minyan Society, and Temple Secretary) Rhonnie joined Temple Beth El in 1989. Bob’s extensive engagement with the temple began when he was chosen as Hatan Bereshit for Simchat Torah 2012. Shortly thereafter, he was invited to join the executive committee and to be the temple’s treasurer. In 2018 the nominating committee asked him to become president, the position he has held since. His emphasis has always been on balancing and maintaining what he refers to as the three critical, interdependent legs of sustainable success for the temple:  religious, social, and financial.

After graduation from Union College and Columbia Business School, Bob worked for 15 years for Unisys  Corporation and then 21 years for Stratus Technologies, from which he retired as vice president for North America.

Rhonnie and Bob’s children, like their parents, have a strong attachment to Temple Beth El. Gregory is a member of the congregation, attending services and programs regularly. Risa is believed to be the first female to read from the Torah at the temple, dating back to her bat mitzvah in 2000. Risa and her husband Jack have three children, Lael, Herschel, and Judy, who enjoy coming to events at the temple.