Meet our Office Staff - Lincoln Square Synagogue

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Meet Our Staff

Tamar Fix,

Executive Director

Melanie Vesely, Membership Experience Coordinator

Hailey Pryce-Shidler

Administrative Assistant

Tamar Fix, Executive Director

Tamar joined Lincoln Square Synagogue as Executive Director in July of 2016. Tamar appreciates the eclectic nature of Synagogue and community center work as it offers the opportunity and excitement of being in a constant state of learning and growth. One of her greatest joys is connecting with people on a multi-generational level and she feels gratified in working at Lincoln Square Synagogue and getting to know the members. Tamar brings her strong interpersonal and administrative skills to LSS as well as her personal commitment to Modern Orthodox Jewish life, tradition and community. Though her goals as ED are lofty, chief among them is to become an honorable link in LSS's humble and historical 1964 beginnings. It is truly an honor to be part of such a venerable institution. Tamar received her B.S. from Queens College and earned her M.A. from Hofstra University in Marriage & Family Therapy. Tamar completed the third cohort of UJA and Columbia University's Executive Leadership Program. In addition to her Synagogue & Jewish communal work, Tamar is a published author whose writing has appeared in both book form and periodicals. Fluent in Hebrew & raised steeped in both Israeli and American culture, Tamar is equally at home in each. Tamar currently resides in Queens, NY with her son Nate. You can email Tamar at tamar@lss.org or reach her by calling (212) 874-6100 ext 101

Melanie Vesely, Membership Experience Coordinator

Born and raised in Sydney Australia, Melanie has a passion for working within the Jewish community. She grew up attending a Jewish Day school and volunteered in Israel for a year prior to starting University. Melanie received a Bachelor of Social Work with Honors from the University of New South Wales in 2019, and wrote a thesis on supporting the bereaved in a trauma environment. Melanie has experience working within the Jewish community, both domestically and internationally. She is excited to start a new chapter working at LSS and helping members have the best possible experience. Her role will be both administrative and will also focus on Membership Experience- have a question or idea you'd like to discuss? or want to send Melanie a warm welcome? feel free to email her at melanie@lss.org and let's show her some LSS love.

Hailey Pryce-Shidler, Administrative Assistant

Hailey Pryce-Shidler graduated from Chapman University in 2020 with a B.A. in Screenwriting. After volunteering with her local BBYO chapter, she decided to focus on helping her community connect to their Jewish heritage. She is looking forward to assisting the Executive Director, Rabbi Robinson, and seeing that the Synagogue runs as smoothly as possible. Hailey is passionate about forming connections with others and is excited to meet the members of the congregation. In her free time she likes to read, write, cook, and explore both the city and the world.

Devora Movtady, Business Manager

Devora has been a part of the Lincoln Square Synagogue team since November 2013. You can reach Devora at devora@lss.org or by calling 212-874-6100 ext 106

Shiffy Friedman,Yoetzet Halacha

Shiffy has been serving as a Yoetzet Halacha in Manhattan since 2017 and is excited to now join the LSS family. She graduated from Nishmat’s Miriam Glaubach Center’s U.S. Yoatzot Halakha Fellows Program in 2015. She has been counseling women in the area of women's health and halakha, both through her role as Yoetzet Halakha in Westchester County and through teaching brides and couples before marriage. Shiffy has taught at SAR Academy and currently teaches at Ma'ayanot Yeshiva High School. She received her B.A. in Judaic Studies from Stern College and a dual M.A. in Education and Jewish Studies from New York University. Prior to that, she spent a year studying in Israel at the Stella K. Abraham Beit Midrash for Women in Migdal Oz. She and her husband, Rabbi Noam Friedman, live with their two children, Avital and Adir, in Morningside Heights, where they serve as the OU-JLIC couple at Columbia/Barnard Hillel.

Shiffy can be reached at nycyoetzet@gmail.com or by calling 646-598-1080

Click here to visit the Yoetzet Halacha Facebook page

Ariella and Mendel Lazaros, Youth & Teen Directors

Ariella and Mendel have lived in Manhattan for over six years and on the Upper West Side for the last three. They are both graduates of Yeshiva University and carry a combined 10+ years of experience in developing fun and engaging youth programs for Jewish children. Ariella and Mendel have run Youth Programming and Teen Clubs for Pesach in the Bahamas, Cancun, Mexico, and San Diego, California. Together, they are loving parents to two daughters.

Ariella and Mendel can be reached at youth@lss.org

Meet Our Security

Mike Zimet Protective Services is an executive protection firm handling major event and personal protection for the entertainment, diplomatic and corporate worlds. In addition to Lincoln Square, they also provide protection for several synagogues in the NY area and also handle security for SAR Academy and High School with a very proactive approach to protection.

Zimet has provided personal protection for Senator Bernie Sanders during the last two presidential campaigns and has also protected President Joe Biden during his time in the private sector. His firm also works closely with the Israel Consulate and Shin Bet (Israel's Secret Service) , providing protection for visiting ministers and former Prime Ministers.

At Lincoln Square, Mike's security detail operates a seven day a week schedule, and works in conjunction with both the NYPD's 20th Precinct and Patrol Borough Manhattan North.