Al & Tanya Lampert
“This is the Day Hashem has made. Let us rejoice and be happy in it.”
Tanya and Al Lampert credit their involvement with others from the lessons they learned from their parents and grandparents. Although they have been members of Beth Sholom for only 12 years they have been involved with the Jewish community for their whole lives in Massachusetts, Connecticut and Maryland.
Tanya was born in Boston, Massachusetts and grew up in a Shomer Shabbat Conservative home in Lowell, MA. Her early life revolved around education and Jewish involvement. She graduated from Simmons College as a science major. After a brief stint doing medical research she decided to spend her professional life teaching. She received her M.A. from Fairfield University in special education and learning disabilities. Her teaching career began at the Yeshiva of Central Queens where she taught 6th grade. For 5 years she worked with young people who were adjudicated by the courts at a facility in Connecticut where she taught math and study skills. She taught for 20 years at a private school in Potomac for students with learning differences. Currently she tutors students in math and algebra. Her love for her students and commitment to them have always been and are an important part of her life.
Al and Tanya met when they were still in their teens on a family vacation in Maine. They married at Temple Beth El in Lowell. Their son Larry was born in NY and their daughter Naomi was born in Norwalk, CT where they lived for 17 years. At Temple Beth El in Norwalk they both held a variety of offices. Al was Vice president for several years-no small feat since he lived during the week in Rockville ,MD and travelled extensively in Western Europe. Tanya taught second grade in the religious school for most of the time they lived in Connecticut.
Al was born in Salem,MA and grew up in Peabody,MA attending the family shul -Sons of Israel –a tiny Orthodox Shul that is still thriving today. His grandparents and parents were among the founders. Al graduated from Northeastern University( Cum Laude) in Accounting. He earned his MBA at Boston University in Finance. After serving as a Lieutenant in the US Army Signal Corp. for two years, he began his business career in the Investment Department of the Equitable Life Assurance in New York. He joined the Planning and Acquisition Department of American Can Company and helped form the Information Technology Group with the acquisition of Aspen Systems Corporation in the early 70’s. Al’s career at Aspen spanned 35 years and several ownership changes. In 1993 he led a group of employees in the acquisition of Aspen through a leverage ESOP. He was the President and Chief Executive Officer of Aspen for many years until the company was sold three years ago.
Although busy building Aspen, Al has been contributing his time and efforts to the community and the arts. For the past ten years he has been President of Rockville Economic Development Inc, a not-for-profit corporation involved in a partnership between private industry and government to promote the economic development of Rockville, MD. He also has been involved with the National Philharmonic Orchestra for many years. When they moved to the Music Hall at Strathmore he joined the Board of Directors and is currently Vice-Chairman.
During the last few years Tanya and Al have both been involved in a variety of Beth Sholom projects. Tanya initiated the formation of the Beth Sholom book club which is now in its 4th year. She also creates and delivers Welcome Baskets to new members and is responsible for promoting activities of Beth Sholom in local publications. They both serve on the membership committee and are currently heading the Rabbi’s Art Project. They also serve on the Lamplighter’s Committee. Al has taken on the project of developing and launching an Endowment Fund for Beth Sholom. For the past two years Al has served on the Board of Directors of Beth Sholom and recently has joined the Board of the Jewish Federation of Greater Washington.
Being part of Beth Sholom has been an exciting journey for them. They were privileged to witness the marriage of their children Naomi and Michael in the Atrium with the Chuppa under the old Exit sign before the new sanctuary was built. They have been blessed to share the Simchat Bat of their granddaughters,Sara and Rebecca here. (They are also part of a special community in Dallas, TX. where their son Larry and daughter-in-law Melissa live with three Texas grandchildren-Jacob, Zachary and Jessica who attend Akiba Academy. )
They are grateful to be part of the Beth Sholom community which shares itself and cares for each other through all of life’s vicissitudes. They believe they have found their spiritual home.