2026 Shem Tov Award Recipients



Nancy was born in 1966 in the Bronx, New York. As a child, she enjoyed many family road trips, where she first fell in love with New England. For the past 20 years, she and her family have been fortunate to spend their summers in New Hampshire, and throughout that time they have been proud supporters of Bethlehem Hebrew Congregation. Over the last seven years, Nancy has served on and off as a member of the congregation’s Board of Directors — with brief pauses along the way as she celebrated the joyful milestone of three children getting married in three consecutive summers. Nancy and her husband, Geoffrey Fages, are the proud parents of four wonderful adult children, and, perhaps most adored of all, their puppy.



Moriah was raised in Merrimack, NH along with her two siblings by her parents Samir and Amanda Rezaoui. Moriah graduated from Merrimack High School in June 2026 and is headed to Mass College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences for their Physician Assistant program. Throughout her high school years, Moriah has given back by volunteering at Chabad Hebrew School every week, as well as summers at Camp Gan Izzy. Moriah is always helping in any way she can at any Chabad program and holiday. She is a reliable helping hand and is a wonderful role model for her Jewish pride and commitment.

Alyse Bettinger was raised in Howard Beach, New York. She spent more than a decade as a camper and senior staff member at Camp Edward Isaacs, a Jewish sleep away camp. There she built lifelong friendships and a strong sense of Jewish Pride. Alyse attended college at SUNY, Stony Brook followed by earning a professional degree in Occupational Therapy. Her family includes her husband Dr. Paul Bettinger and their 3 children, Josh, Ethan and Tami.

The Bettinger family moved to Keene, New Hampshire in 1988. Alyse’s career with Congregation Ahavas Achim began with helping to start a parent child preschool play group. Next, she became involved with our Bagel Breakfast Fundraising for the Religious School. CAA has to keep up with Alyse! She independently takes on leadership roles in so many areas of CAA. Alyse is a long time member of our Synagogue Board. In 2015, Alyse was on our first Affiliation Committee and was selected again for the Affiliation Committee this year.

As a member and now chair of the Membership Committee, she developed and implemented our Shmooze and Brews program which has been a huge success in bringing members of the synagogue together. She has worked continuously on ways to increase our membership by promoting connections with young adults who grew up in our Jewish Community. She encouraged them to consider lifelong engagement and involvement in our Jewish Community. Alyse has been instrumental in thinking about ways to bring in new members, especially in the area of Associate Members. She is very involved in creating and promoting events for our synagogue programming.

Alyse continues to be a strong advocate for programming about Israel. When she noticed that we didn’t have a program for Israel’s Independence Day, Alyse set in motion the “Taste of Israel” program. In addition to program development, she has established a notebook with detailed information about each event to facilitate others to take over an event. Alyse worked on a survey to gather information about the interests of our membership. Her team created the “Getting to Know You” Survey. She was a key player in the synagogue flood remediation process as well as putting everything away when remediation was completed. She continues to lead in organizing the synagogue building, especially the kitchen. She is committed to making CAA an organization that facilitates bringing our wider Jewish Community together.

In addition to her synagogue commitments, Alyse worked as an Occupational Therapist in rehabilitation centers and nursing homes. In her role as an Occupational Therapist, she worked with residents to maximize their independence in daily living through adaptive techniques, environmental modifications and supportive positioning. Through her professional experience, she developed a strong ability to meet people where they are by recognizing their individual needs and strengths and adapting tasks and environments to help them participate fully and confidently in community life.

Thank you, Alyse, for your invaluable contributions to Congregation Ahavas Achim.

Having joined Etz Hayim Synagogue in 2022, Milt & Kristina Zweig have made a remarkable impact in their relatively short time at Etz Hayim, injecting new vitality and dynamic leadership into the community. Milt soon joined the Ritual Committee and was especially impactful on Yom HaShoah, sharing his family’s story of survival in Nazi Germany. Milt has spent years researching his roots and recently reclaimed the German citizenship which had been stripped from his parents. To further honor their legacy, Milt is Founder and Director of the Zweig Foundation, a non-profit organization for the advancement of Holocaust education among the younger generation.

Milt joined the Board of Directors in 2025, filling the vacant Secretary position and then began serving as President in June 2025. On a mission to improve the aesthetics of our 18-year-old building, Milt cultivated donations from members to upgrade our classrooms, library and foyer. Milt also has taken a direct role in finding a stream of transitional and visiting spiritual leaders while the search committee seeks a permanent Rabbi. Milt serves on the Board of the Jewish Federation of NH; and when he’s not volunteering, he still finds time for his dental profession with Haas Dental Associates.

Kristina’s contributions have been equally impactful. She served for a year as the synagogue’s office administrator, then moved into the Board Secretary role when Milt became President. She also manages the online calendar and has initiated and filled a variety of roles. Last fall, Kristina assembled High Holy Day gift bags, and she and Milt drove door-to-door to deliver symbolic foods of the holiday, including her homemade mini honey cakes.

Additionally, Kristina has become our primary interior designer, using her creative energy to transform our classrooms, library, and lobby—painting, furnishing, and decorating each space to create an environment and vibe for each unique space. Kristina’s innovative spirit continued as she took on the role of director of this year Purim spiel, Chaos in the Shul: The Shul with no Rabbi—a hilarious parody that poked fun at Etz Hayim during this past year of transition. She also baked hundreds of hamantaschen and organized a pre-spiel wine-and-cheese event, complete with fun, food, crafts, and a costume parade for the little ones.

Milt and Kristina live in Sandown with their three dogs and two cats and have four adult children. They love to travel abroad and visit Europe frequently.

The best version of Jewish life in the Upper Valley has Tamara Nixon's fingerprints all over it.

Raised in Miami Beach, where her mother first walked her through the doors of Temple Beth Shalom, Tamara's life has been shaped by the Rabbinic teaching that kol hatchalot kashot, all beginnings are difficult, but no task is impossible. A graduate of Wellesley College and the first woman to earn an MBA from the University of Pittsburgh School of Business, she built a pioneering career as an economist and banker. She then brought that strategic discipline to Jewish communal life, serving as chair of the Investment Committee for the Greater Miami Jewish Federation Foundation and convening Federation endowment leaders from across the country to share best practices.

Tamara divides her life between Miami Beach and Hanover. She was married for 62 years to Dr. Daniel Nixon, Dartmouth Class of 1955, and the chief of hematology and oncology at Mount Sinai Medical Center, who passed away in January 2021. Together they raised three children—Asa (Dartmouth '84), Victoria (Dartmouth '90), and Naomi—and now Tamara sheps nachas from her grandchildren.

Her love for the Upper Valley is enduring. She has served on the Hillel at Dartmouth board of directors since before Hillel’s transition to independence, including as chair of the development committee. Through the Nixon Scholars-in-Residence Program, which she and Daniel established and endowed, distinguished Jewish voices have enriched the wider Dartmouth community. She remains equally devoted to the Upper Valley Jewish Community (Kol Ha'Emek), attending services regularly and guiding its endowment efforts.

Tamara Nixon will tell you she volunteers only where she can be useful. Wherever she has been, the Jewish community has grown stronger.

Richard “Rich” LeSavoy has built a career and a life rooted in leadership, service, and helping others plan for a stronger future. After 35 years of leadership in the manufacturing industry, including serving as an officer of a public company, Rich turned his lifelong interest in personal finance into a second career as a Certified Financial Planner, Certified Retirement Counselor, and IRS Enrolled Agent. He is currently a Financial Advisor with Centeras Private Wealth and, in 2023, founded FairTaxPlanning, LLC, a boutique tax planning and preparation firm focused on personalized, tax-smart guidance.

Rich earned his Bachelor of Science degree from Philadelphia University and a Certificate in Financial Planning from Boston University. His professional expertise, steady judgment, and deep commitment to service have made him an invaluable member of the Jewish Federation of New Hampshire Board, where he serves as Treasurer and helps guide Federation’s financial stewardship during a time of growth.

Rich has also been deeply involved in Jewish communal life across the Seacoast. He is an active member of Temple Israel in Portsmouth, where he has served as a board member and currently chairs the Endowment Committee. He was also active at Temple Israel in Dover until its closing. Beyond his professional and volunteer commitments, Rich enjoys golf, skiing, kayaking, and time with his wife, Jane, and their family.

JFNH is proud to recognize Rich as this year’s Shem Tov Award recipient.

Monte moved to Hanover in 2009 and joined UVJC at that time. He worked as an Automation / Controls Engineer at Stryker Biotech until he took five years to teach at a boarding school in Connecticut. Returning in 2019 he returned to working as an engineer until he retired in 2024. Since then, he has been a substitute teacher in the SAU70 school system, where all the students he meets love him.

Besides his outstanding service as Treasurer for the UVJC, his contributions to our community are countless. These include but are not limited to his stewarding audio/visual setup for High Holiday services, leading the annual New Year’s Day Brunch and Community Passover Seder, monthly deliveries of kosher food from the Butcherie in Brookline, MA, and his extensive involvement with many committees.

Monte shares his love for travel through his journaling of his adventures. For fun he plays chess, loves to cook and bake, and take part in all that the region offers. His smile and humor encourage others to want to do more.

Monte will be moving to Canada this summer but has promised to stay connected and active with our community.

Richard David Grossman was born in Boston, Massachusetts, and raised in Newark-Hillside, New Jersey. Following the passing of his father at the age of two, he was raised by his mother, with whom he made annual trips to visit their extended family in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, where his family's roots date back to 1908.

Richard earned a Bachelor of Engineering in Mechanical Engineering, with a minor in Naval Architecture, from Stevens Institute of Technology in 1974 through a U.S. Air Force Pilot Training scholarship. During his distinguished military career, he flew KC-135 Stratotankers, served at Pease Air Force Base and Kadena Air Base in Okinawa, participated in planning the 1979–1980 Iran hostage rescue mission, and served as a Jewish lay leader. He later continued his service in the Pease Air National Guard before retiring in 2002. Richard also enjoyed a long engineering career at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, retiring in 2019.

Richard has devoted many years to serving and strengthening Jewish life throughout the Seacoast. Today, he serves as the leader of the Seacoast Chevra Kadisha, continuing his lifelong commitment to caring for the Jewish community with dignity and compassion.

A devoted supporter of the Seacoast Chabad Jewish Community, Richard generously shares his time, wisdom, and resources. He provides invaluable guidance, financial support, and hands-on assistance, including purchasing and preparing the food for the community's weekly Pizza and Parsha gatherings. His dedication to fostering learning, friendship, and Jewish continuity has made a lasting impact on our community.

Richard's lifelong commitment to service, generosity, and strengthening Jewish life exemplifies the spirit of the Shem Tov Award.

Jake Berry has been a part of the Temple Adath Yeshurun community for more than 35 years. He attended religious school at the Temple as a child and became a Bar Mitzvah in 1994. Jake studied communications and sociology at Boston College and has a master’s degree in education from SNHU.

After moving home to Manchester in 2010, he served on the TAY board for 14 years, including two as president. He was named the TAY Brotherhood “Man of the Year” in 2024. His last term finished in May and he’s excited to get more involved in TAY Brotherhood and other activities with his new free time. He also volunteers as a basketball coach for Special Olympics New Hampshire. Currently, Jake is Senior Vice President of New Futures, a non-profit health policy and advocacy organization in Concord.

Previously, Jake served as District Director for Congresswoman Annie Kuster and worked for nearly 10 years as a newspaper reporter and editor for the Nashua Telegraph, the Cape Cod Times and the Keene Sentinel, among other publications.

Jake lives in Manchester with his wife, Anna, twin boys Jonah and Evan, and their dog, Maizey.

Judy Crosley was born in Fayetteville, North Carolina. She attended Connecticut College and earned an MSW from Smith College. Carl Crosley was born in Brooklyn, New York. He graduated from Dartmouth College and the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine. They married in 1970. During his two years in the USAF Carl was a pediatrician. That was followed by a fellowship in child neurology at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.

In 1974, Carl and Judy moved to Syracuse, New York, where Carl was Professor of Neurology and Pediatrics at Upstate Medical University. Judy practiced social work privately and at Jewish Family Service as Director of family Life Education and Acting Executive Director. In Syracuse she was a member of Temple Society of Concord and a member and educator at the Syracuse Jewish Community Center (JCC) and developed and oversaw the Russian Resettlement Program for Jewish Family Services. Carl served on the JCC Board of Directors, including terms as vice president and president. He also served on the Syracuse Jewish Federation Board.

Crosley’s moved to Wolfeboro in 2011. Carl joined the Wolfeboro Friends of Music Board serving as president from 2013 to 2025. They joined Temple B’nai Israel (TBI) in 2013. Judy participates actively in holiday celebrations and services and is a major contributor to the TBI Food Festival, working across many teams and captaining the knish team. She has also led adult education sessions in the local environment. Carl joined the TBI Board of Trustees in 2014. He has been leading physician on the Covid Team, member of the tech team, Trustee of the Reserve Funds, VP Security, a member of the Interim Steering Committee, and most recently Vice President for Communications and Programming.

Judy and Carl have two daughters, Catherine (North Andover, Massachusetts) and Sarah (San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua), and five grandchildren.

Temple Beth Abraham’s Keter Shem Tov nominee is Ellie Schwartz.

Ellie grew up in Massachusetts. She attended Brandeis, then the University of Michigan, earning both a master’s in library science and an MBA. In 1988, she and her husband joined Temple Beth Abraham (TBA). Ellie’s contributions to TBA have been many and varied. She served on the Programs Committee. She was a founding member and facilitator of TBA’s BABKA book club for ~10 years. She brought the Worldwide Daffodil Project to TBA, coordinating the planting of 500 daffodils in memory of children who perished in the Holocaust.

But Ellie’s proudest accomplishment at TBA is her volunteer work in its two libraries, the Levine Library in the synagogue and the Jason Schenker Memorial Library in the Education Center. When the synagogue underwent a remodel and enlargement in 2001, including a dedicated room for a library, Ellie updated the library collection and developed library standards, leading to accreditation by the Association of Jewish Libraries. Ellie made the Jason Schenker Memorial Library more user-friendly, developed an online catalog for both libraries, and initiated monthly displays of books to showcase the library collections.

In the community, Ellie worked for 21 years as a librarian at Memorial School in Bedford, NH. After her retirement, she volunteered for 5 years at Rogers Memorial Library in Hudson, NH. Ellie has contributed in many ways to our synagogue, to the local community and to the wider Jewish community. She has earned the Crown of a Good Name.

Alan and his family have been longtime members of Temple Beth Jacob and are integral parts of our community. Alan served 10 years on the TBJ Board of Trustees, culminating in a two-year term as President of the synagogue. After finishing his term as president, he joined the Past President's Council and currently serves as a trustee for the TBJ Building Fund. He volunteered his time as a faculty member in our religious school for 10 years, and has seen all four of his children go through the Hebrew School and become B'Mitzvah's at TBJ. He regularly appears in our annual Purimshpiel production, has written six scripts for the annual event, and has brought his wife and children into the cast in recent years.

Alan and his family are regular lay-leaders of shabbat services at TBJ, and guest Torah readers during the High Holy Days and beyond. Alan received his undergraduate degree from Yale University, his M.S. in biochemistry from Emory University, and his M.D. from the University of Maryland. He was in private practice for 19 years, specializing in nutritional medicine. He has become one of the foremost authorities on nutritional therapies, authoring a book on nutritional medicine as a resource for healthcare providers.

Rebecca Sky has devoted her professional life and her Jewish life to strengthening communities, uplifting others, and building institutions that care for people. She recently retired as the Executive Director of the New Hampshire State Commission on Aging, where she served from its inception in 2020 through May 2025.

A respected public health leader with more than twenty-five years of experience, Rebecca has worked across New Hampshire to expand access to care, advance health equity, and support the wellbeing of older adults. Prior to her state service, she spent many years at the Foundation for Healthy Communities, where she helped hospitals increase access to treatment for people with Opioid Use Disorders, established evidence-based falls-prevention programs, and co-led the creation of the NH Health & Equity Partnership.

Rebecca’s commitment to Jewish communal life runs just as deep. Early in her career, she worked for the Jewish Federation of Austin as a campaign and community relations associate, and after moving to New Hampshire in the mid-1990s, she served on the NH Federation Board. She volunteers at Temple Israel on the Kitchen Krew, chair the rabbi search committee, am facilitating the silent auction at our annual Schmooze & Booze fundraiser, and generally try to pitch in when I see a need. She often credits attending Ramah Family Camp more than twenty years ago as a turning point that inspired her to weave Jewish life more intentionally into her home and to engage more fully in the broader kehillah.

Rebecca holds a B.S. in Health Policy and Administration from Penn State University, an MPH from the University of New Hampshire, and a certificate in Value-Based Health Care from The Dartmouth Institute. She is a past officer of the New Hampshire Public Health Association. Born and raised outside Philadelphia as one of ten children, Rebecca and her husband David are the proud parents of Jedidiah and Benjamin.

Temple Israel is fortunate to benefit from her wisdom, compassion, and steady leadership. Her dedication to service—both professional and Jewish—embodies the very spirit of the Shem Tov Award.

Deborah Hirsch Mayer brings to Temple Israel the kind of dedication that cannot be taught, delegated, or safely ignored. Fiercely principled, deeply committed, and always prepared, she approaches every responsibility with one simple goal: getting it right.

As Vice President of Education and a former Vice President of Ritual, Deborah has devoted countless hours to strengthening our congregation. While most measure commitment in years of service, Deborah measures it with disregard for normal business hours. If a board meeting ends at 10:00 p.m., Deborah will stick around to ask one last question. If an email arrives at 2:30 a.m., she probably wrote it and an even better chance she's already thinking three steps ahead about the reply.

She leads by setting the standard, and then, just to be safe, raising it another few inches. Prepared, thoughtful, and unwavering in her convictions, Deborah is never afraid to ask the difficult question, usually the one everyone else was hoping someone else would ask. Her high expectations are matched only by those she places on herself, and her pursuit of excellence has elevated every committee and initiative she has touched, occasionally after several rounds of very thorough follow-up.

Those who work alongside Deborah know behind her tenacity is an enormous heart. She invests her time, energy, and intellect because she genuinely believes in the future of Temple Israel and the people who call it home. Her leadership inspires others to work harder, think deeper, and give more generously of themselves.

Temple Israel is stronger, wiser, and better prepared for tomorrow because of Deborah Hirsch Mayer’s uncompromising integrity, and extraordinary example of servant leadership. She reminds us that leadership is about caring enough to do the work, ask the questions, stay engaged, and help move the community forward with clear purpose, heart, and just the right amount of persistence.