Our Board & Committees

TvO’s Board is comprised of the Executive Committee (co-presidents, co-vice presidents, treasurer, scribe, past president), and the liaisons from the Committees of the Congregation (Finance, Building & Grounds, Communications, Welcoming, and Jewish Education), and our Mission-Focused Committees (Spirit, Community, Justice).

Board members are responsible for setting policy and long-range planning for the synagogue and overseeing its health and welfare. They also oversee activities and property of the congregation.

We welcome people who are interested in sharing and developing their commitment, skills and experience. If you would like to a more active role in synagogue leadership, please contact the President.

Current Co-Presidents

Martha and Mitch can be reached at presidents_24@tikkunvor.org.

Martha Armstrong has been a member of TVO for about 20 years. She is involved with the Bereavement Support Group, the Eden Initiative restoring our land, our choir Azameira, and the Building & Grounds committee. Martha was an architect early in her career and then worked in economic development here in Tompkins County for over 20 years. Post-retirement, she is a burial coordinator at Greensprings Natural Cemetery Preserve and loves this heart-centered work. Martha and her partner Lois Levitan live with their son Teo. Their daughter Katya lives in the Hudson Valley with her partner and two adorable children.

Mitch Grossman has been a member of TVO since 2021.  As a co-Vice President, he has been a member of the Finance committee, focusing on fund-raising activities and implementing the Wild Apricot membership website. Prior to moving to Ithaca, Mitch lived in Metuchen, NJ, where he was a member of Temple Emanu-El of Edison for 30 years, including more than 10 years as a Board member and four as its Treasurer.  Mitch worked in the publishing industry for 43 years.  He has a BA from Colgate University and an MBA from New York University.  Mitch has 3 adult children, all of whom went to college in Ithaca.  He lives on the west side of the lake with his partner, Ginger Trow.

Our 2024-2026 Board

Executive Committee

  • Co-Presidents: Martha Armstrong and Mitch Grossman
  • Co-Vice Presidents: Open
  • Past President: Laurie Willick
  • Scribe: Suzanne Aigen
  • Treasurer: Peter Burford

Liaisons from Committees of the Congregation

  • Building and Grounds: Martha Armstrong
  • Communication: Sue Merkel
  • Finance: Doug Stayman
  • Jewish Education: Drew Margolin
  • Welcoming & Membership: Open

Liaisons from Mission-Focused Committees

  • Spirit: Anne Brous (Avodah Committee)
  • Community: Susan Fast (Caring Committee)
  • Justice: open

At-Large Board Members

  • Eric Maroney
  • Jeff Bercuvitz
  • Nomi Talmi

Committees of the Congregation

  • Building and Grounds Committee
  • Communications Committee
  • Finance Committee
  • Jewish Education Committee
  • Welcoming Committee

Mission-Focused Committees & Working Groups

  • Avodah Committee
  • Bereavement Support Group
  • Caring Circle
  • Enrichment Program Group
  • Social Action Groups

For more information on the focus of each committee and how to get involved, please see the COMMUNITY section of this website.