Steven Licker

Presidium Member

Steve has been a member of Congregation Agudas Israel since 1980 when he married Robin Gruberg, a lifelong member of CAI. His three children grew up in Agudas Israel which was fundamental in their religious education. He retired from IBM in 2021 where he worked as a Computer Engineer for 42 years. Steve has served at CAI as Chairman of the Board, President of the Religious School Board, Men's Club President, and various other positions. He currently serves on the Kol Yisrael Board of Directors.

Mark LaKritz

Presidium Member

Mark is a longtime member of CAI, joining in 1984. He married a lifelong member, Sheila, at the Synagogue that year. Mark has held many offices at CAI, including President for 2 years. In addition, Mark has served as Gabbai for over 10 years.

Sharon Kelson

Presidium Member

Sharon moved to Orange County in 1994 and met her husband Todd shortly thereafter. Todd was already a member of Congregation Agudas Israel and they were married by the congregation Rabbi.  
 
Sharon became an active member of the Congregation Agudas Israel Board of Trustees in 1998.  She has served as the Treasurer and then as the President from 2010 - 2013. She remained active on the Board of Trustees. She also was the President of the sisterhood and remains active on the Cemetery, Programming, and Calendar committees.
 
She volunteers for Hadassah, The Women’s Zionist Organization of America and is the National Vice-Chair of Geographic Areas. She served as the Lower New York State Region President from 2017-2019 and is a member of the local chapter, Hadassah Noar Of Newburgh.
 
Other organizations that Sharon volunteers with include the Jewish Community Center in Newburgh, the Jewish Federation of Greater Orange County, and Access: Supports For Living, an agency in the Hudson Valley that helps people with challenges to live the fullest life possible. 
 
Having received her Bachelor of Arts in Business Management from the University of Phoenix, she is self employed performing work for various clients including day to day bookkeeping and reviewing Guardianship accountings and writing reports for the court.
 
Sharon believes that Congregation Agudas Israel is a spiritual home which comforts and nurtures its members, and instills a love of Jewish heritage and inspires those that enter its halls and sanctuary to grow and to prosper on their respective Jewish journeys.

Klaus Solomon

Treasurer​

Klaus moved into our area a few years ago and is a recent retiree from multiple careers in public service. "I am delighted to have found CAI and made it my new religious home; it offers the family, faith and future I was hoping to find!"

Betsy Solomon

Recording Secretary​

Betsy is a retired teacher, mother of 2, and grandmother of 3. Her goal as an active member of her CAI family is to expand the scope and effectiveness of our community, our educational programs, and our ritual practices and celebrations.

Executive Board river cruise to West Point with Rabbi Jacob