Event Co-Chairs
Larraine Bernstein & Ken Hornstein
We are deeply honored to co-chair Spotlight 2024 with Tara Brown and Ari Mittleman, honoring Myrna and Senator Ben Cardin, who have done so much for our community.
We became Beth Tfiloh school parents and congregants when our oldest son, Jonathan ‘08, was 5 years old. Jonathan and his brother, Jeffrey ‘10, were BT students through graduation, and were bar mitzvah’ed there. Their grandfather Joseph Bernstein of blessed memory, who was then Gabbai of the Congregation and a Minyonnaire, taught them their parshas. In addition, Jonathan and his wife, Erika Rief Hornstein ‘09, both attended Beth Tfiloh, and their connection to Judaism later brought them together in Boston. They are now BT couple number 25! Jeffrey met his wife, Alli Katzen, through his best friend, who graduated with him from BT. Many of our family and closest friends are members of the Beth Tfiloh community, and have celebrated with us in times of great joy and supported us when we were grieving.
For nearly 30 years, we have given back to the community that has given us so much. We have chaired both the Annual Campaign and the Membership Committee, served on both the School and Congregation Boards, the Lower School, Finance, and Development Committees, and every year supported and helped fundraise for the Annual Campaign and Spotlight.
Our family has profoundly benefited from being part of the Beth Tfiloh community. We welcome this opportunity to give back to the school in such an important and meaningful way. Beth Tfiloh is a unique community – one that has changed our lives for the better. BT will always have a special place in our hearts.
Tara Brown & Ari Mittleman
What an incredible privilege to give back to our Beth Tfiloh community by serving alongside Larraine Bernstein and Ken Hornstein as Spotlight 2024 co-chairs, particularly given this year’s honorees, Myrna and Senator Ben Cardin.
As fierce advocates for Israel and Klal Yisroel, the Cardins embody the values that make Beth Tfiloh so special. We could not think of two better people to honor in a year such as this one.
We came to Beth Tfiloh because of the central place that Israel holds for both students and congregants and because of the strong sense of tradition and community exemplified.
We missed a year due to COVID-19, but as soon as the doors re-opened, we enrolled our daughter, Eliora, in Little Me and now the pre-school. As a pre-schooler, Eliora is already learning Hebrew words for colors, taking “trips” to see the sifrei torahs and coming home singing a new song for every holiday. It is particularly heartwarming hearing her sing “Am Yisroel Chai.”
It fills us both with tremendous pride to see her thriving in such a warm, nurturing environment and to be so excited and proud to be Jewish. We know this is just the start of what will be a tremendous education and upbringing for her here at BT, and we are grateful we get to help others experience all that BT has to offer by helping to raise money for scholarships.
.אֵיזֶהוּ עָשִׁיר, הַשָּׂמֵֽחַ בְּחֶלְקוֹ
Who is rich? One who is happy with his lot.
This passuk from Pirkei Avos greets all who enter the Lower School. Each day we pass it when dropping our daughter off and think “how happy are we?”
We feel so lucky to be part of a community with amazing Rabbis, exceptional teachers and staff, great friends and ruach to boot! Whether it be through the role of “class parent”, regularly attending PTA meetings, serving on the BT Shul Board, sponsoring programs, cheering on our favorite high schoolers Tali (’06), Adina and Aviva ‘28 Baron at their games, and now co-chairing Spotlight, we are really thrilled to be able to proudly demonstrate our support and commitment to the Beth Tfiloh community and to show our deepest appreciation for our amazing honorees, Myrna and Senator Cardin.