Seated are Annette Littman, left, and Sue Wishnow, joined by, back row, from left, Rabbi Daniel Cohen, Cantor Rebecca Moses, Joan Finn and Rabbi Allie Klein.
SOUTH ORANGE, NJ — Annette Littman of West Orange and Sue Wishnow of Short Hills were recently honored for their leadership and vision within the community by Temple Sharey Tefilo-Israel at the synagogue’s spring celebration.
Littman was TSTI’s second female president and is a lifelong board member who continues to share her wisdom and guiding vision for the community, according to a press release. Wishnow, who most recently served in two successive executive vice president positions and has chaired several key committees, will assume responsibilities as temple president in July.
Having served on several committees together, they’ve forged a bond across generations and approaches built on mutual respect and trust.
“TSTI provided the glue for the bond I feel with Annette,” Wishnow said of her fellow honoree and mentor. “I’ve learned so much from her about being an effective leader and have also gained a wonderful friend.”
Wishnow’s family joined TSTI 11 years ago, upon their return from living overseas, and she got involved right away. They had attended several special occasions and programs there over the years and had always felt a connection to the community.
“I knew that’s where we were going as soon as we returned to the United States,” she said. “This is my home.”
Littman’s involvement at TSTI goes back 68 years. She and her husband joined Temple Sharey Tefilo in East Orange as young newlyweds, shortly after a group of members split off to form Temple Israel in South Orange. After several decades serving on various committees, she was appointed religious school board chairwoman and eventually elected a trustee in 1971, at a time when men still dominated synagogue boards.
Throughout the 1960s and 1970s, Littman worked beside creative, charismatic rabbis who helped build up the community. She became temple president in 1981, serving for four years. Under her watch, Temple Sharey Tefilo and Temple Israel reunited, becoming Temple Sharey Tefilo-Israel in South Orange. She and Temple Israel’s president served jointly for several years, fostering a smooth transition for the newly reunified synagogue.