Board and Staff

​The Jewish Fellowship of Hemlock Farms has been the spiritual beacon for hundreds of Jewish Families for more than five decades. As the current President, it is my special duty to lead the current board and membership - providing for the sustenance of our spiritual home now and also for the future. Working with Rabbi Sammi Barth as our spiritual leader, every member of the Jewish community is our concern. In my work, I draw upon my past experience as a 25-year board member of my Elkins Park Congregation, as an Attorney and as a financial advisor for nearly four decades.

_​I am fortunate to have my wife Holly - married for five decades at my side assisting me with the Fellowship's work and other activities.  We have two married daughters and two grandchildren.

​ I grew up in a warm, social, Reform Jewish home and always loved being around people. My passion for Jewish camp life began as a camper and counselor, and I was thrilled to give that same experience to my children. For over 33 years, I worked at NJY Camps in Milford, PA, serving in roles from Division Head to Associate Director, positively impacting thousands of children and staff. I loved being the informal Jewish educator and teaching values to all. 

Before camp life, I worked as a certified medical assistant and in a pathology lab and ob/gyn office.  I’ve also owned a balloon and event business and was deeply involved in my kids’ schools and activities. My husband Ed and I moved to HF in 2020 after a long house search. Although COVID made the transition tough, joining the Fellowship community brought us joy and connection.

I love cooking, concerts, travel, and spending time with our grandkids Dylan 5 and Alana 10 months. My kids live in NJ and CA, and Ed’s children are also in NJ. I'm excited to continue growing our vibrant Jewish Fellowship and to welcome new friends and families.

I’m honored to join the Board of the Jewish Fellowship of Hemlock Farms and excited to contribute to the continued growth and vitality of our Jewish center. I previously served on the Board of Temple Sinai in Middletown, NY, where I was actively involved with Sisterhood and was proud to be named Orange County NY’s Sisterhood Member of the Year in 2018. I’ve traveled to Israel extensively and led both Jewish and interfaith tours with my husband, a licensed Israeli tour guide and former elite IDF soldier who served in Sayeret Matkal. Together, we’ve developed and delivered educational presentations on Israeli culture, politics, and religion, deepening understanding and connection within our community. Professionally, I am a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist and Board-Certified Diabetes Care & Education Specialist with over 40 years of experience in clinical and administrative leadership, particularly in bariatric surgery and obesity medicine. I currently work full-time at Garnet Health Medical Center in Middletown, NY where I developed the bariatric surgery program 18 years ago. I’m passionate about teaching, mentoring, and creating inclusive programs, and I look forward to supporting the Board with thoughtful planning, meaningful engagement, and initiatives that enrich Jewish life for all ages.

I am honored to be a member of the Board of Trustees for JFHF. I was born and raised in Queens NY where my family was a member of The Forest Hills Jewish Center. I went to college 1 year in Plattsburgh NY where I experienced anti-Semitism then transferred and ultimately graduated from The University of Maryland. I met Eric and moved to NJ where we raised our 3 children until moving to Charleston SC 19 years ago. Moving someplace with a thriving Jewish community was very important to us and I served on the Board at KKBE in Charleston. When we decided to move back north finding a Jewish community was again very important and having the fellowship right here in Hemlock was a big selling feature for us. As we embark on a year of many changes, I look forward to helping our community grow and thrive!

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Naomi Lehrer is a dedicated leader and lifelong member of the Jewish community, bringing over 12 years of banking experience & over 22 years of experience in education along with a strong foundation in finance and organizational management to the Jewish Fellowship. Born in Israel, her commitment to Judaism and service is deeply personal. 

Financial Expertise and Resource Management

Before her long career as a NYC Public School teacher (licensed in K-5 and Math Grades 5-9), Naomi spent approximately 12 years in the banking industry. This background, coupled with her degrees in Accounting, Finance, and Education, provides her with the expertise needed for financial oversight & strategic planning. Crucially, in her career in education, Naomi is actively involved in technology procurement & grant writing for her school.

Dedicated Community Leadership

Naomi is adept at problem-solving, collaboration, and critical thinking, skills demonstrated through her extensive board and volunteer commitments:

Brooklyn Community Board Serves as Chair of the Youth and Technology Committee and is a member of the Capital & Expense Budget and Planning & Zoning committees.

Board Member for the Sebago Canoe Club

Vice President of Kiwanis Kings Plaza Canarsie - Website developer and Google Workspace Admin

Judaic Involvement Her deep commitment includes extensive volunteer work at the Marine Park Jewish Center and East Midwood Jewish Center, in addition to developing technical resources and organizing events for local Yeshivas.

Naomi is eager to leverage her comprehensive skills to support the organization's mission and continued success

My family and I moved to Greeley, PA, 3 summers ago, seeking a radical change from our lifestyle in Brooklyn, and we have been so grateful for the abundance of nature and the communities we've joint through our children's school and here at Hemlock. One of the trickiest parts of leaving the city, however, was the access to Jewish programming and Hebrew schools, which is what I now hope to help rebuild through joining the board. I was a public-school educator and literacy specialist for 15+ years before shifting to an administrative / teaching role at an independent, permaculture farm school setting here.

I have always had a strong Jewish identity. Born and raised in New Jersey in a proud Conservative Jewish family, I attended yeshiva schools throughout my life—Yavneh Academy, Frisch Yeshiva High School, and later Yeshiva University’s Albert Einstein College of Medicine, where I also completed my Ophthalmology training at Einstein/Montefiore Medical Center.

My connection to Judaism has always guided me. In high school and college, I was active in NCSY, serving as chapter president and later as an advisor. Those experiences deepened my religious commitment and desire to live by Torah values. At Lehigh University, I helped establish the first Hillel House on campus to strengthen Jewish life for students—a legacy that continues today.

Wherever I’ve lived, I’ve remained involved in Jewish community life. In Passaic, I was active in my synagogue Tiferet Israel, my children’s yeshivas, and served as the ophthalmology consultant for Hatzolah. I’ve been an AIPAC Club Member for nearly a decade and a Jewel Member of Sharsheret.

Since making Hemlock Farms my home, I’ve fallen in love with this community—especially the Jewish Fellowship of Hemlock Farms. The warmth and sense of connection here are very special to me. I would be honored to play an active role in helping the Fellowship grow and continue to serve as a beacon of Jewish life and spirituality in our community.

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