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Machers Share Their
Resolutions for 2023
Jarrad Saff ren | Staff Writer
W hat’s in a New Year’s resolution?
Th e cliché is that it’s a shallow
promise to better yourself — like by
going to the gym more. A promise
that you will inevitably break within
a month or two. But this cliché can be
an exaggeration. Th ose who do think
hard about New Year’s resolutions oft en
go deeper than resolving to make their
bodies look better.

Jewish Philadelphia machers, or peo-
ple who are infl uential and get things
done, certainly go deeper when they
think about ways to better themselves
in the new year. And if Yom Kippur is a
time to refl ect on your sins, New Year’s
is a less guilt-ridden fresh start.

Th e machers are thinking of it that
way. Here is what they’re telling them-
selves going into 2023.

Rabbi Sandra Berliner,
Congregations of Shaare Shamayim
in Northeast Philadelphia:
“I think my personal resolution will
be to listen more.”
Rabbi Shelly Barnathan, Or Zarua
on the Main Line:
“Th e fi rst one that comes to mind is
for each of us to go inside of ourselves
and fi nd the best parts of us that we can
lift up and bring to one another and the
world.” Rabbi Nathan Weiner, Congregation
Beth Tikvah in Marlton, New Jersey:
“Sometimes, as a Jewish professional
Rabbi David Cantor
Courtesy of Rabbi David Cantor
your Judaism becomes a professional
experience. It needs to be a personal
experience. I want it to be that for me
as well.”
Rabbi David Cantor, Congregation
Beth El in Yardley:
“I’d say it would be to remember to
be curious in every moment. Whenever
something is like, ‘Why on Earth,’
be curious, not furious. If something
makes no sense, it’s possible there’s
something you don’t know.”
Rabbi Geri Newburge, Main Line
Reform Temple-Beth Elohim in
Wynnewood: “Read more; I want to get back into
a better routine with my running; and
to try not to get too stressed by starting
the college search process with my son.”
Jeff Brown, Philadelphia mayoral
candidate: “As I look forward to the new year
and refl ect on the challenges we face
as a city, I’m reminded of our belief
in tikkun olam — repair the world.

Philadelphia is in desperate need of
‘repair,’ and it will take all of us.”
Rebecca Rhynhart, Philadelphia
mayoral candidate:
“In 2023, I will work to help peo-
ple, lift families up, create opportu-
nity so our city thrives, stand up for
what’s right and continue to lead with
courage.” Ben Waxman, state rep-elect from
the 182nd district (Center City):
Rebecca Rhynhart
Courtesy of Rebecca Rhynhart For Mayor
“I think I want to try to contribute
to the comeback that Center City
and Philadelphia are starting to have.

Making Philadelphia feel like a safe
place to live and work and play.”
Rue Landau, Philadelphia City
Council candidate (at-large):
“My New Year’s resolution is to work
very hard using the value of tikkun
olam to help heal Philadelphia. We have
so many challenges in Philadelphia
today — from a gun-violence epidemic
to homelessness to poverty — that we
all need to work hard to help reverse
our status quo.”
Rabbi Ira Budow, director of the
Abrams Hebrew Academy
in Yardley:
“We’ve been in the process of build-
ing a fi eld for our students. We’re hop-
ing that we will get this thing done.

It will give the message to the com-
munity what type of school we are.

Everything’s important to us.”
Rachel Zivic, head of school at
the Kellman Brown Academy in
Voorhees, New Jersey:
“Th e holidays focus on bringing
light. I think we do that by being there
for one another, by supporting our
students and teachers and families. By
celebrating successes big and small.”
Eytan Graubart, executive
director of the Pinemere Camp
in Stroudsburg:
“One of the fi rst activities we do (at
camp) is based around goal-setting. I
Rabbi Geri Newburge
Yael Pachino Photography
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thought about leading that activity for
20 years. I have oft en shared the same
goal. Th rough our work, we’re going
to make the world a better place. And
I don’t think my resolution should be
any diff erent.”
Jared Jackson, founder and executive
director of Jews in ALL Hues:
“Working on more self-awareness,
self-care and time with my family. If I
don’t have those, I can’t be present fully
in my work.”
Randi Boyette, senior associate
regional director, education,
ADL Philadelphia:
“I will look for the people who are
actively challenging hate instead of
focusing on those that foment it, and I
will remind myself that each of us can
make a positive diff erence.”
Alan Scher, CEO of the Kaiserman
JCC in Wynnewood:
“Th e JCC has accomplished a lot over
the last year, and much of the credit
goes to our tireless, committed and
passionate staff . I resolve to practice
gratitude, model appreciation and seek
every opportunity to thank this most
special asset.” JE
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