Temple Judea of Manhasset will honor two of its own—Temple President Erik Groothuis and Holocaust survivor Claude Sherman—at its annual Gala Dinner on Sunday, April 29.
Groothuis, a Roslyn resident, attended Columbia University, where he met the love of his life, Marina Gurin. He graduated from Columbia with a degree in economics. Erik then went on to graduate from Harvard Law School. After clerking for Judge Whitman Knapp and working as an associate at the international law firms of Cleary Gottlieb LLP and Heller Ehrman LLP, Erik joined his current firm, Schlam Stone & Dolan LLP, in 2008. He became a partner at the firm in 2011 and currently practices commercial litigation. Erik and Marina joined Temple Judea in 2010 with their two daughters, Maddie and Maya. Erik joined the Board of Trustees of Temple Judea in 2014 and become its president in 2016. His hobbies include running, cycling and fantasy baseball.
Born in France, Sherman, a Port Washington resident, was a young boy when his father was arrested for being a Jew. Soon after, for his own safety, Claude, then age 17, was sent to live on his own in Lyon. Through a miraculous exchange of letters with his imprisoned father, Claude was able to obtain information that led to his gaining employment in the banking field. He later moved to New York and worked on the New York Stock Exchange, serving as both a floor official and a floor governor. Claude and his family joined Temple Judea in 1966. Claude served as Temple president form 1986-88 and was instrumental in developing the vision and funding for Temple Judea’s Holocaust Resource Center. Inspired by his father, Claude has dedicated much of his life to the Jewish community and to helping others, including volunteering for more than 10,5000 hours at North Shore University Hospital.
Temple Judea is pleased to honor both of these deserving men, as Claude Sherman and Erik Groothuis have exhibited leadership, vision, and commitment to helping others.
The Gala will feature a gourmet dinner from Temple Judea’s brand new in-house caterer, Hasson Caterers and entertainment from Party Harty.
For more information on the Gala Dinner, Temple Judea, or the Holocaust Resource Center, contact the Temple Judea office at 516-621-8049 or email www.temple-judea.com.
