TORONTO — After 20 years of involvement, Tamara Rebick, nee Kochberg, steps down as ECRUSY youth chair. Rebick’s involvement began at Shaar Shalom Synagogue 20 years ago in Kadima.

Tamara Rebick with her father Paul Kochberg

She continued through USY, serving in various leadership positions, including international executive board, then as staff, regional youth director, and youth chair for Canadian Region. Rebick’s presided over her final meeting June 30. Rebick is the daughter of Paul Kochberg, President of Canadian Region, of The United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism.   Kochberg attributes his own extensive involvement in United Synagogue to his daughter, without whom he would not have known about USY.  

ECRUSY spring convention delegates heard of Rebick’s retirement.  She spoke to the delegates of the meaning of USY and community, and the importance of continuity.

“It’s hard to say goodbye after all this time.  TK’s always been there.  It’s going to be strange without her.  We wish her best of luck in all her future endeavours,” says Erin Lehrer, a USYer under Rebick’s terms as youth director and youth chair, and now ECRUSY staff.

While this ends Rebick’s official role in ECRUSY, she will continue to have an impact through the USYers she led who are now USY staff, and through her continuing interaction with USYers in her role as co-director of student activities at the south campus of the Anne & Max Tannenbaum Community Hebrew Academy of Toronto, and as a lay supporter of USY and USCJ.

— Compiled by CJN Staff