The Four Questions – Lenny Alper

Ladies and Gentlemen, it is our distinct pleasure to introduce the man who knows every inch of our Shul and is always at the ready to help:

LENNY ALPER

Lenny is a fourth-generation member of NHBZ. His father, grandfather, and great-grandfather were members, and his two daughters, Caryn and Joanna, are current members. His wife Fran writes the weekly Sisterhood Scoop. Lenny was honored to serve as NHBZ president six times and is one of the youngest members who remember 1395 Blackstone Avenue.

The Questions:

1. Who is your favorite Torah personality and why?
   A: “Although Nachshon ben Aminidav is mentioned in the Torah, the reason he is my favorite personality is described in the Talmud and Midrash: Seven days after leaving Egypt, the Israelites found themselves trapped between the Sea of Reeds and the Egyptian army. Moses ordered the people to move forward, but they hesitated; nobody wanted to go first. At that moment, Nachshon’s trust in Hashem and bravery led him to jump into the sea. The Israelites did not follow him, but instead, they prayed. Hashem told Moses to lift his staff and spread his hand over the seas. At that point, the Sea split, and following Nachshon’s lead, the Israelites finally entered the Sea and were saved.”
   
2. What is your favorite snack food?
   A: “ Sourdough pretzels and fig bars, eaten alternately so that every other bite is salty or sweet.”
   
3. What is your personal motto?
   A: “You don’t need a weatherman to know which way the wind blows.” AND “Don’t follow leaders, watch the parkin’ meters.”
   
4. What inspires you?
   A: “The Gateway Arch and the nineteenth-century American pioneers who traveled West, facing tremendous obstacles, both known and unknown. To me, this is a relatable similarity to the Israel pioneers of the early twentieth century.”
   Thank you, Lenny! We look forward to hearing from our next player!

DID YOU KNOW…

EVERY week, Lenny Alper contributes time, energy and ideas to our Shul. His keen eye and mathematical precision (literally!!) are two major factors in why we look so good!

He knows (and has measured) every inch of the building and is a primary hands-on volunteer. His attention to detail is second to none.

From moving tables to hanging plaques, and proofreading to improving the visual aspects of our Weekly News, Lenny provides an invaluable service to the everyday working of NHBZ.

Let’s all take this opportunity to shout a big THANK YOU, LENNY!!