Cantor's Concert Journal honoring Sue Frieden

RABBI MICHAEL ROSE KNOPF

Temple Beth El Study 203-322-6901

350 Roxbury Road

Stamford, CT 06902

April 26, 2026

Dear Friends,

Email: rabbiknopf@tbe.org

Fax: 203-322-0532

What a joy it is to gather again for the Cantor’s Concert an evening of music, warmth, and well-deserved celebration.

This year, we honor someone who has been part of the TBE family for nearly forty years: Sue Frieden.

I’ve had the privilege of working closely alongside Sue as our Treasurer, and what I’ve come to appreciate most is that she never makes the work feel like it's about her. She just shows up prepared, clear-eyed, and completely focused on what's good for this community.

Sue retired as a partner at Ernst & Young, where she spent her entire career and rose to lead quality and risk management across a global firm of over 100,000 people. We have been deeply blessed by her extraordinary talent, expertise, commitment, and care throughout her years on the Finance Committee, her tenure as Assistant Treasurer, and her recent service as Treasurer.

This past fall, I had the privilege of traveling with her on TBE s civil rights journey through Georgia and Alabama. It was clear that Sue wasn’t there just to check an item off her bucket list. She showed up as she so often does with seriousness, presence, a genuine hunger to understand, and a sense of responsibility for carrying the lessons of that history forward. That sense of responsibility extends beyond TBE as well, animating her service on the boards of organizations like AJC Westchester/Fairfield, the Met Council on Jewish Poverty, and Fairview Country Club, where she will readily tell you her financial stewardship far outpaces her golf game.

Indeed, Sue’s gift is that, underneath her admirable rigor and responsibility, she is fun, fun-loving, and funny. We share, for example, a deep love of Walt Disney World. I was initially surprised when she told me this, but I came to realize that it made perfect sense her intelligence and sophistication are matched only by her appetite for laughter and joy.

Sue, forty years is a long time to love something thank you for loving us that long. I am so grateful for your tireless commitment and generous spirit, which have made our community strong, spirited, and whole. Mazal tov on this honor, and may you go from strength to strength.

And as always, none of this would be possible without Cantor Katie Kaplan, whose music turns every gathering into something sacred. It is a privilege to share this work with her, and I cannot wait to share this special evening of music and community with my TBE family.

Warmly, Rabbi Michael Knopf

Temple Beth El

350 Roxbury Road

CANTOR KATIE KAPLAN

E-mail: cantor@tbe.org

Study: 203-322-6901, ext. 315

Stamford, CT 06902 Fax: 203-322-0532

April 26, 2026

Dear Congregation,

I’m so thrilled for our annual Norma and Milton Mann Memorial Cantor’s Concert this year. Over the years, we have experienced Telling Our Stories Through Song with Nefesh Mountain, The Long and Winding Road, Zamir Chorale and Zamir Noded, Some Enchanted Evening, All That Glitters: An Evening of Opera and Song, and this year we bring Another Day Will Come featuring Noah Aronson with choral settings by Dave Schlossberg.

I had the honor of singing in the choir with Noah, Dave, and this talented group of performers at the World Premiere of these settings at the North American Jewish Choral Festival this past summer and immediately knew that I wanted to bring them to Temple Beth El so that you could all experience this beautiful music. Noah Aronson’s original compositions are fresh and engaging and Dave Schlossberg’s choral settings make them an absolute treat. We will be joined by a choir of about 20 cantors and musicians from around the greater NY area who are donating their time to bring this music to the world. We will be joined by members of the Kesher Beth El School program for a couple of very recognizable songs by Noah and our own Leo Linder will be joining us as well as Cantor Micah Morgovsky. It will be a beautiful celebration of music at Temple Beth El that could only emerge due to decades of relationship building and the prioritization of music and the cantorate at TBE.

At this year’s concert we will be honoring Sue Frieden. Sue’s commitment to Temple Beth El and her longevity of service is one of a kind. She has displayed her love and service fiercely over the years and TBE would not be the place it is today without her leadership, guidance, and clarity of vision. Sue leads with her heart and follows it up with actions inspired by deliberate and steadfast dedication. We are all so lucky to have had Sue’s leadership steering the ship and the finances of TBE for so many years. I personally want to thank her for her savvy, her heart, and her unwavering commitment to making TBE the best place that it could possibly be through her guidance and wisdom. She is a true gem, and we have been so lucky that she has been shining brightly for TBE for so many years.

As you experience this concert, I hope that you will all cherish the opportunity to be present in a community that deeply values music and the creative process. There is something incredibly healing about music as a balm for the soul and even in a song that you may be hearing for the first time, you may find yourselves resonating with something ancient and at once familiar. Thank you for the music and thank you for your love and support!

Mazal Tov Sue!

B’Shalom,

Cantor Katie Kaplan

Thank you to the clergy, staff and members of TBE who make us such a special community! And thank you Cantor Katie for a special evening!

We are so pleased to acknowledge Sue Frieden’s extraordinary service to TBE and to the Jewish community.

Thank you, Sue! You inspire us all.

Susan and Warren

Mazal Tov to

Sue Frieden

Norma and Milton Mann, z’l

Dad and Mom, Poppop and Nana

Your memories live on forever through your family and through this beautiful music.

Mann Family

We salute the honoree

Sue Frieden

We are constantly inspired by your caring and generosity, your willingness to get involved and lead, your incredible notes and recall, and the way you call out and stand up for what is right.

Thank you for your leadership and all you do for friends, our community, our people, Temple Beth El and American Jewish Committee [AJC]

Kerrin & Stephne Behrend

‘Many daughters have done valiantly, but thou excellest them all’

We salute and applaud our very dear friend, the extraordinary

Susan Frieden and our stellar Cantor

Katie Kaplan

With love and admiration,

The Benet and Romanowitz Families

To our dear friend Sue Frieden:

Temple Beth El is lucky to have had you as our treasurer.

The Jaffe-Berkowitz family is lucky to have you in our lives.

Because simply put, we treasure you.

With love,

Devra, Parry, Zoë and Andrew

The Beth El Cemetery Association honors Sue Frieden for her service to Temple Beth El.

Sue

Congratulations on an honor well-deserved.

Mark and Geri Besca

Stephen and Lynn Cohen

Jerry and Marry Goldman

Fred and Deborah Kuntzman

Marty and Betsy Sue Shannon

We are grateful to have this opportunity to honor our friend Sue Frieden at Temple Beth El’s 2026 Cantor’s Concert.

Thanks for your many contributions to Temple Beth El and our community. We appreciate your friendship. and

Thank you to Cantor Katie Kaplan for your beautiful music and for your kindness and compassion.

Robert Cohen and Marsha Colten

Sue - Thanks for all you have done and all you continue to do.

Kol HaKavod!

Mimi Cohen

Dear Sue,

Our very best wishes on this most deserving honor.

We are so proud of you and thrilled to share this special night with you.

Dolores and Charlie

Congratulations Sue and thank you for your many years of ongoing dedication to TBE.

You are a true inspiration to all of us!

Betsy and Peter Kempner

Sue

Our family appreciates your commitment and dedication to Temple Beth El. As a member of the Board and Treasurer, your tireless work has been immensely valuable to the congregation.

You are truly a force of nature!

Happily, it’s been a privilege to become your friend, and we wish you the best in the future.

Lois and Gary

Sue, Congratulations on this honor. Our thanks for your never-ending support of TBE and dedication to our greater Jewish community. You inspire all of us.

And to Cantor Katie, thank you for filling our synagogue with beautiful music.

Scott and Liz Krowitz

Cantor Kaplan

Thank you for the music, the spirit, and the heart you bring to our congregation!

Mazel Tov Sue

Frieden!

Thank you for the many years of leadership and commitment to TBE!

The Men’s Club

Yasher Koach Sue!

Your tireless efforts have allowed TBE to thrive by keeping us on a sound financial footing.

Miriam and Steve Sosnick

Sue Frieden

Reasons Sue is being celebrated today:

 Sue is educated, smart, business savvy and successful which she has transmitted to TBE while being treasurer and on the TBE Board for many years!

 Sue is always involved putting forth all her efforts in Jewish causes that she totally believes in (TBE, AJC, UJF) and now Fairview Country Club.

 Sue financially supports every organization. She will never say no to anyone soliciting money for any cause be it a friend, friend’s grandchild, etc.

 Sue, most importantly over the years, has given much of her personal time to TBE; always offering advice, working whenever needed - you can always see her at TBE.

 Sue sets an excellent example for everyone at TBE, the Jewish community and her son Eric. We can all learn from Sue.

 Lastly, Sue is a mensch in every sense of that word - being a good friend to everyone and always putting herself out for that friend.

Sue is much deserving of this wonderful honor by TBE.

We are happy to call Sue our friend and say mazel tov to her.

Judy Dalgin and Norman Suchin

Congratulations to Cantor Kaplan for another year of uplifting our spirits through song.

Thank you, Sue Frieden, for your many years of generosity and commitment to Temple Beth El.

Dana and Carl Weinberg

Congratulations to Sue for her continued commitment to Temple Beth El

Sue

Congratulations on your many achievements!

Keryn and Nick Cerbone

Thank you, Sue, for all you do.

We love you.

Alan Jaffe and Family

Sue Frieden

You take our breath away with your energy, generosity, friendship and activism.

“one in a million”

Carol and Allen Krim

Sue

You are amazing!

Yasher Koach

Beverly

and David Stein

Sue,

Our thanks and appreciation for your dedication and tireless work on behalf of our temple and our community.

Sharon and Jeff Turshen Anonymous

Thank you Cantor Katie and friends for a beautiful musical evening!

Mazel tov to Sue for a well-deserved honor.

Jennifer,

Harris, Ilana and Madelyn Meth

Thank you for all you have done for Temple Beth El as a board member and treasurer. You are a devoted mom, a great friend to many and so deserving of this honor.

We wish you a lifetime of continuing happiness.

Barbara and Stan Friedman

All the best to Sue!

Thank you for all you do at TBE!

Fran and Rabbi Gerry Ginsburg

Denise and David Greenman

Dear Sue, Mazel tov on being honored by TBE for your generosity and expertise!

With love, Suzanne Horn

Dear Sue… I’m so grateful for all you do for TBE… Your caring, unwavering commitment, dedication, professional leadership continues to have a meaningful and lasting impact that benefits our entire community… With all your expansive volunteer responsibilities, you ALWAYS put TBE first. You are most deserving of this honor, Sue. As the song says, “You’re simply the best.” Your loving friend, Marsha Mazel tov Sue!

Sue

Working with you as TBE Treasurer has been something I truly value. We don’t always agree—and yes, some of my ideas may be a bit much for a self-proclaimed dinosaur but somehow, it works.

Your wisdom, honesty and steady hand keep everything grounded (including me). I’m truly grateful for your partnership and all that you bring.

With appreciation, Erica Newman

Mazel Tov Sue on this welldeserved honor. Thank you for years of commitment to Temple Beth El.

Congratulations on this well-deserved honor. We’re happy to call you our dear friend.

With love,

Joan and Leon Goodman

Mazal tov, Sue, and thank you for your commitment and care for Temple Beth El.

Mia and Lonny Weinstein

Nicole and Ron Zussman

Sue

Thank you for sharing your heart and your head to keep us where we belong.

Eileen H. Rosner

Mazel tov, Sue, on this welldeserved honor. Your dedication and leadership have had a lasting impact on our temple community, and we are so grateful for all you have given over the years.

On a personal note, it has been a privilege to serve on the board with you. Thank you for everything you do.

Love, Leslie and Neil

Sue, we honor and salute your commitment to Temple Beth El and the Board of Directors.

Cantor Katie, thank you for helping to make this concert possible and for your musical and spiritual inspiration.

The Pomerantz and Feinberg Families

Mazel tov, Sue, on this well-deserved award!!!

Thank you Cantor for enriching all our lives with your beautiful voice, music and this concert tonight.

Debbie Adler-Klein

and Family

Congratulations on this well-deserved honor!

Barbara and Warren Brandt

Mazal Tov

Sue Frieden on this well-deserved honor.

Evelyn and Bruce Kahn

Congratulations Sue on your honor and thank you for all you do for TBE!

Cantor Kaplan, thank you for another wonderful concert!

Ellen and Arthur Laichtman

Thank you for all you have done for TBE.

Congratulations on a well-deserved honor.

Marilyn and Mitch Sofer

Well-deserved honor, Sue.

Congratulations!

Melanie Massell

Sue

Thank you for everything you do for the Temple Beth El community.

Mazel tov,

Julie and Sol Rose

Congratulations Sue and all best wishes!

Susan Zohn

Congratulations Sue and thank you so much for your years of dedicated service to TBE. You have helped make the synagogue what it is, and we are all tremendously in your debt.

Cheryl and Jonathan Phair

Congratulations on this well-deserved honor, Sue! Thank you for your service, your devotion to TBE, and your always smiling face. It is a pleasure to know you!

Vicki Kobliner and Sal DeStefano

Congratulations Mom!

I’m very proud of all the work you’ve done for TBE.

Love, Eric

Mazal tov, Sue!

We all love you!

Mickey and Minnie and Family

Congratulations Sue!

Judy Sharoff

Honoring Sue Frieden

Arlene Ettinger

Field, Reemer and Reed Families

Brianne and Sanford Goldstein

Lenore Hyatt

Elyssa Garber-Hyman and James Hyman

Judith and Lewis Kramer

Catherine Pollack

Barbara and Steve Rothstein

Linda and Dean Schaffer

Barbara and Jared Scharf

Susan and Carl Shapiro

Nancy Shopkorn

Meryl and Hank Silverstein

Sandy and Michael Tannenbaum

Harriet and Seymour Weinstein

Name Listings

ANONYMOUS

Judith Aronin

Marsha Blye

Suzie Denmark

Melissa and Barry Erner

Suzanne and Rob Fruithandler

Cheryl Bader and Stephen Goldblum

Barbara Greer

Phyllis Heller

Dana Horowitz

Ann and Stephen Leber

Hayley and Josh Levine

Beverly Magida

Jayne and Harris Maslansky

Roz and Alec Perlson

Linda Salamon

Janet and Marc Schneider

Margo Spielberg

Shirley and Hyman Swiel

Caroline Temlock Teichman and Marc Teichman

Gail G. and Stephen Trell