Carolyn Hoera, outgoing President of the Garden City Jewish Center, will be honored at a brunch at the George Washington Manor in Roslyn on June 3, at 1:30 PM. A journal is being compiled in her honor as well.

Ms. Hoera has served as Garden City Jewish Center President for the past two years, and has been a Trustee, Principal of the Religious School, Religious School Cantor, Culture and Pre K teacher, Publicity chair, and Ritual Chair, among other capacities over the past 20+ years as a member.

By far her favorite positions have been as Teacher and Principal of the school, a Sundays-only program that meets from 9 AM-1 PM from September through May. "My own children inspired me to begin teaching at the Religious School," says Ms. Hoera. "I wanted them to actually like learning about their culture and history, not just to tolerate it. So I used my skills as a Special Ed. Teacher and former Camp Counselor to design the kind of Sunday School program that all children would like. This hands-on approach incorporates music, drama, art, cooking, games, computers, etc. If you couple that with the amazing Rabbi Stephen Goodman, then you see why our program continues to draw families from all around the area to this day." Ms. Hoera also adds that the GCJC is very welcoming to families who come from dual faith backgrounds...as well as to families of every Jewish affiliation.

Ms. Hoera and her husband Peter Tittler, have lived in Garden City for 25 years. Their children Matthew (GCHS'01), Molly ('03) and Maggie ('08 ), have enjoyed going through our public schools, all three thriving in the Music programs, in particular the Wind ensemble and the GCHS Marching Band. Carolyn proudly wears her Pit Crew Mom jacket every chance she gets.

Carolyn has given time to the Girl Scouts, PTA, and more recently to the Clergy Fellowship of Garden City, which is made up of a variety of people from many different Faith Communities from our town, gathering for seminars and volunteer work for the Interfaith Nutrition Network.

The other major passion in Ms. Hoera's life remains the Garden City Nursery School, the 'Co-op', where she stayed on to teach after third child Maggie "graduated" to kindergarten. Carolyn's affection for, and talent with, the 2's, 3's, and 4's is quite apparent. She feels fortunate that she gets to live her calling every day, teaching absolutely adorable children with a top notch staff of dedicated educators, and even helping the next generation of young Moms and Dads begin to navigate the tricky waters of discipline, separation, limits, you know...parenthood!

Were you or your children influenced by Carolyn Hoera? If you would like information about the June 3rd luncheon, or perhaps you would like to donate a few words to the journal being compiled in her behalf, go to www.gardencityjewishcenter.org for more information.