Ken serves on the Board of Trustees as a Vice President.

Current Temple Beth Zion Board term expires: June 2025

Jenn is a Certified Nurse Midwife and OB/GYN Nurse Practitionerat South Buffalo Mercy Hospital.  Jenn has had the privilege of working in women’s health and bringing babies into the world for the past 25 years. Jenn grew up in Long Island and earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Vermont and a Master’s in nursing from SUNY at Stony Brook.  Jenn is an accomplished and classically trained vocalist and has performed in a wide range of theatrical and musical productions. Jenn has served on the Board of Directors of the JCC of Greater Buffaloand has served on both a TBZ rabbinic and cantorial search committee. Jennifer lives in East Amherst and has two daughters:Perryn, a sophomore at Marist College and Avery, a Junior at Williamsville East. 

Current Temple Beth Zion Board term expires: June 2025

Sam is a Public Defender in the Buffalo City Court, a wife and a mother.Sam is committed to creating opportunities to increase diversity, equity and inclusion in the legal profession and within our greater community. She received her Juris Doctorate from the University at Buffalo School of Law and her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Rochester. Sam is active in Buffalo's Legal Community, and she is currently Vice President of the Minority Bar Association of WNY. Sam was honored with the 2021 BAEC Liberty Bell Award and will be honored with the 2022 NAACP Daniel Akers Community Service Award.  Sam is a longtime resident of Buffalo’s East Side, Vice President of her Block Club, and has been a social justice activist for years. She is Chair of the East Side Garden Walk and a vocal advocate for the revitalization of the East Side of Buffalo. Sam has also served on the University at Buffalo Institutional Review Board since 2018 and was on the Board of Directors for Neighborhood Legal Services from 2019-2022.  Sam is married to Byron, and together they have a beautiful daughter. 

Current Temple Beth Zion Board term expires: June 2027

Larry is Special Counsel to the Kavinoky Cook LLP law firm. He concentrates in Public and Private Development, Real Property Law, and Municipal Law, drawing upon a thirty-year career in a wide range of public offices, including the unique experience of having been both the chief legal officer and the chief development and planning official for both the City of Buffalo and the County of Erie. Larry has also served as special counsel to a variety of public entities in their development projects, including the City of Buffalo, the Buffalo Municipal Housing Authority and the Niagara Falls Housing Authority.  Larry is a graduate of the State University at Buffalo Law School and is active in a wide range of community activities. Larry received the 2021 UB Law School Distinguished Alumnus Award for Community Service and is a Past President of Temple Beth Zion and of Jewish Family Services of Western New York.  Larry and his wife Debra Chernoff live in Buffalo’s Elmwood Village, as do their two sons, their older son Aaron Assistant Erie County Attorney and Adam is a librarian in the Special Collections division at the Central Library of the Buffalo and Erie County Public Library. Larry and Debra like to cook and entertain and visit cities around the world. 

 Current Temple Beth Zion Board term expires: June 2027.

 Kathy is a life time member of TBZ and her ancestors were the founding members.

Kathy currently is a Professor of Education at Erie Community College. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business from Ithaca College, an MBA from SUNY Buffalo and a Master’s degree in education from Niagara University. Kathy has been a Board member at TBZ since 2021.Kathy is the Co-chair of the Ritual committee, co-chaired the Rabbi’s Transition Team and was a member of the Cantorial Search Committee.

She is back living in Eggertsville where she grew up, with her two cats, Mimi and Poppy. Her son Ezra Donner lives in Michigan and her daughter Hannah Donner (Nusinov) lives close by in Snyder.

Michael is a first generation TBZer and a first-time board member. Michael served on the 2023-2024 clergy search committee and is preparing the re-imagined TBZ Brotherhood for new social gatherings in 2024. Michael received two degrees from the University of Michigan and is still excited about Michigan’s recent National Championship.  Go Blue! 

Current Temple Beth Zion Board term expires: June 2027

A life-long Buffalonian, Christina Akers-DiCenzo, Esq. is a proud member of the Temple Beth Zion community since 2005 where she served on two rabbinic searches. As the founder of Akers-DiCenzo Law PLLC, Christina provides legal counsel and litigation services on behalf of employees. Christina received her Juris Doctor and Master of Urban Planning from SUNY Buffalo and her bachelor’s degree from Brandeis University. Christina enjoys time with her family, reading, gardening, and travel.  

Current Temple Beth Zion Board term expires: June 2027

Kerri is the Director of Customer Service for United Healthcare and has over 20 years of experience in the healthcare industry.  Kerri grew up in Niskayuna, NY, earned her Bachelor of Arts in Government at Smith College, where she is currently serving as her Alumni Class President.  Kerri lives in Hamburg with her husband Michael, their daughter and their two pugs Charlotte and Louie.  Kerrie and Michael have been members of TBZ since 2017 and Kerri is passionate about helping TBZ members connect with the congregation and each other.  Kerri enjoys skiing in the winter and the outdoors in general.  

Current Temple Beth Zion Board term expires: June 2027.

Stacey Block is the Senior Director of Operations at the Buffalo Jewish Federation. In this role Stacey brings a wealth of expertise across various domains, including operations, data analytics, CRM management, strategy, technology, finance, innovation, immersive travel experiences, and community engagement and development. In addition to her role at the Buffalo Jewish Federation, Stacey serves as the chapter coordinator for Dignity Grows, a national nonprofit that empowers neighbors in need by providing essential hygiene products, thereby enhancing their self-esteem and health. At TBZ, Stacey chaired the PALS parents committee and has served on both a TBZ rabbinic and cantorial search committee. Stacey is a lifelong member and considers Temple Beth Zion to be her spiritual home. Stacey lives in Williamsville with her husband Neil, their two children and puppy Harley. Abby, a graduate of the University of Pittsburgh who will be attending graduate school at Northeastern University in the fall and Noah a Junior at Ithaca College.

A passionate advocate for community building, Stacey is motivated to ensure Jewish Buffalo remains an engaged, connected, and thriving community.

Current Temple Beth Zion Board term expires: June 2026.

David the President and CEO of Gordon Companies, Inc., which is the parent company of Dave's Christmas Wonderland Stores for over 45 years. David’s ecommerce businesses, including Christmascentral.com and Christmas.com employ over 250 people and operate over 500,000 square feet of warehousing and distribution centers in Western New York.  David is an entrepreneur and owns the Creekside Banquet Facility in Cheektowaga since 1985, and is the real estate developer of the Colvin Estates neighborhood in North Buffalo, where over 125 homes have been built over the past few years. David is a first generation American. His mother was born into a small Jewish community in Calcutta India and his father’s family immigrated to the United States from Russia through Canada.  David is married to Paulette and they have two children and two grandchildren.  David is a past member of the Westwood Country Club, a current member of the Park Country Club, and an avid golfer, softball player and car collector. 

Current Temple Beth Zion Board term expires: June 2027.

Jeff is the Leader, Advisory Data and Insights for Spencer Stuart, and has over 25 years of experience as a consultant in the employee experience and organization transformation space. Jeff has worked with a large range of Fortune 500 companies using a range of measures, applied research, and analytics to help leaders create more engaging and effective work environments for their people. Jeff received his Ph.D. and M.S. in Industrial/Organizational Psychology from Ohio University, and B.A. in Psychology from Lawrence University in Wisconsin. He a Fellow in the Society for Industrial/Organizational Psychologists and has over 100 publications and presentations to his name. Jeff lives in Getzville with his wife Marcy, and has been part of TBZ for the last 9 years since returning to WNY, and has served on the cantorial search, social action, and continuing education committees. He has two grown sons, Eddie who lives in Buffalo with his wife Ivy (also members of TBZ), and Joshua who is in medical school in Nebraska. Jeff enjoys performing with his improv troupe, working out, listening to podcasts, and walking his two dogs. 

Sharon is a partner with the law firm of Harris Beach PLLC, where she practices in the firm’s commercial real estate and financial institutions groups.  Born in Brooklyn and raised on Long Island, she attended Vassar College and SUNY @ Buffalo Law School.  While most of her law school friends from the New York metropolitan area left the Buffalo area after graduation, Sharon remained in Buffalo, where she met her husband Edward.  Sharon, Edward and their daughter Sophie live in Snyder.  

Current Temple Beth Zion Board term expires: June 2025

Joni is a native of Buffalo NY and a member of TBZ since 1989 when she married Dr. Samuel Shatkin, Jr., a fifth-generation member of TBZ.  Joni is owner/proprietor of Tres Aurae Spa since 2014 located at the Hilton-Mosey Hotel located on Main Street in Williamsville.  Joni earned her Bachelor of Science in finance and marketing at the University at Buffalo, was Regional Sales Manager for Entenmann’s/Oroweat Corporation and later became a sales associate in the pharmaceutical industry.  Joni is currently the Women’s PhilanthropyChair at the Buffalo Jewish Federation for her third term and has been on the Boards of the Buffalo Jewish Federation, Buffalo Jewish Board of Education,Jewish Community Center, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundationand has served as the PALS committee parent liaison. Joni and Sam live in Williamsville and are parents to Rachel, Danielle and Michael. 

Current Temple Beth Zion Board term expires: June 2025

Barry is the CEO of a marketing organization specializing in experiential marketing program management and logistics and direct to consumer/trade events for international wine and cheese consortiums, andhas been engaged in the Advertising/Promotions industry for over 55 years. Barry is member of several National Branding and Specialty products organizations.  Barry was past President and board member of Westwood Country Club.Barry attended the University of Miami (FL) and is a graduate of the University of Buffalo. Barry has achieved a National certification in Marketing/Management and holds several copyrights for sales and marketing programs he has developed. Barry lives in Williamsville with his wife Marilyn (Goldstein), has two children and 4 grandchildren and enjoys golf and working on creating stained glass decor pieces.  

Sisterhood Representative

Current Temple Beth Zion Board term expires: June 2026.

Stephen L. Yonaty is a partner at Cannon Heyman & Weiss, LLP where he practices in the areas of affordable, senior and multi-family housing, real estate, commercial and public finance, business restructuring and bankruptcy, and commercial litigation law.  He and his wife, Kim, reside in East Amherst with their 4 children, each of whom has attended the PALS School.