Introducing the New Vaad!
Dear Friends,
We are excited to introduce the new KSYM Vaad for the 2025 calendar year. See our new Vaad members below (and reach out and say hi!).
We are looking forward to building on the successful Vaad leadership of previous years, navigating through the many challenges of our continued growth, and helping continue our vibrant, engaged, and learned community.
We want to take this opportunity to sincerely thank the outgoing Vaad members, Ely Razin, Hylton Peimer, Adina Cutler, and Geri Schwartz for their hard work, dedication, and leadership over their respective terms on the Vaad, and their leadership over the recent years.
We also encourage everyone in the community to get involved in building our community and join shul committees. Please reach out to anyone on the Vaad to find out about opportunities!
Finally, if you have anything you want to discuss, please feel free to reach out to any of us directly using the email addresses below or to the Vaad as a whole at our shared email address: vaad@ksym.org.il
Moshe Arking
President
moshe.arking@ksym.org.il
Moshe Arking joined our community in 2015 when he made Aliyah to Modiin with his wife, Frances, and 5 children. As CIO of a US-based fashion company (where he’s worked for the last 25 years), Moshe’s career focus has been technology. In his “spare time” he serves as a volunteer police officer and unit head with the Modiin Police, as a volunteer firefighter and deputy unit head with the Modiin Fire Dept, and as an EMT, crew chief, and ambulance driver with United Hatzalah. He was active in his former community in Brooklyn, serving on various community and school boards and organizations and is eager to do all he can for our shul and community.
Alexander Grodzinski, Treasurer
finance@ksym.org.il
Alexander Grodzinski made Aliyah and moved to Modiin in 2012, together with his wife Esther Malka and four children. Alexander is a licensed accountant, and works in M&A at Israel Aerospace Industries. He has served on the Vaad in the past, and since then has been a member of the shul's audit committee. Alexander looks forward to continuing his involvement in the Shul as treasurer.
Batyah Cohen
Events, Chesed, Welcoming
batyah.cohen@ksym.org.il
Batyah Cohen made aliyah from the Chicago area a little over three years ago. Prior to making aliyah, she was deeply involved in local schools and shuls, where she held various leadership roles. A longtime early childhood educator, Batyah is also a certified madrichat kallot and balanit. She is enthusiastic about contributing to KSYM and giving back to the community that has warmly embraced her.
Yitz Glass
Gabbaut, Aveilut, Security
yitz.glass@ksym.org.il
Yitz joined the KSYM community in 2017 after making Aliyah and settling in Modi'in with his wife, Shira, and their three children—now a family of six. As a Director at Houlihan Lokey, a global investment bank, Yitz played a key role in establishing the Financial and Valuation Advisory practice within the Tel Aviv office, which he now co-heads. In the past, Yitz served as a gabbai for the 8:30am minyan, contributing to a smooth and welcoming tefilla experience. He is now looking forward to giving back to the KSYM community in a new capacity as a member of the Vaad.
Ezra Olman
Communications, Member Services, Seniors
ezra.olman@ksym.org.il
Ezra Olman made aliyah in 1995 from Baltimore and has lived in Modiin since 2010, with his wife Jane and 4 children. After a decade-long break, he is making his second appearance on the Vaad. He works in Marketing for a cybersecurity company and looks forward to streamlining and enhancing shul communications.
Natan Rickman
Education, Youth
natan.rickman@ksym.org.il
Natan Rickman was born and raised in Hendon, London. He made Aliyah 18 years ago and moved to Modi’in 13 years ago with his wife Daniella. They have four children: 16, 13, 10 and 8. Natan is gabbai sheni at the Netz minyan and has been involved in various educational roles within the Shul over the past 13 years. Natan currently works in high tech.
Richie Saffern
Building
richie.saffern@ksym.org.il
Richie Saffern, his wife Stefanie, and their three children joined our community in 2005. Since then, he has been actively involved in our shul, Ezer Modiin, and Meir Harel Hesder Yeshiva. He also volunteered with Mishmar Ezrachi and coached little league baseball. With over 20 years of experience as a VP of International Sales for start-ups, Richie now works as a business development consultant and volunteers at a hospital.
