Schechter Shoutouts: November 2025

November 24, 2025

Message from Rabbi Berger

Faculty Spotlight: Mr. C (a.k.a. Mike Cunningham)

How long were you at Schechter?
I was at Schechter for 10 years, from 2005 - 2016

What role(s) did you have? 
I wore many hats ( kippahs) while at Schechter! I began as the PE and Health teacher, running a variety of programs for the pre-school, and then evolving into a number of coaching positions! I coached Boys and Girls Basketball, Soccer, and Track and Field. I then started Schechter’s own Summer Camp, called Camp Create-A-Summer (name cred: Sydney Weiser!) All of these roles continued my passion for education, culminating with my role as the Dean of Students during my last few years at Schechter.  

What is a favorite Schechter memory of yours? 
I truly have so many memories of Schechter that I recall often. The passion in our students for each field day, the lack of sleep at our sukkah overnights, and the community vibe with our Hero Show are frequently spoken in the Cunningham home to this day!  

My favorite memory is actually losing a student vs. faculty basketball game. The 8th graders had closed session practices almost daily, plotting the demise of Rabbi, Mr. G, and Mr. C! 

What are you doing now? 
I am currently the Chief Operating Officer for Vale Sports Club out of Middletown, CT.  We have over 1500 soccer players, 300 basketball players, and 3 facilities in the area. I oversee the day to day operations and support staff. In addition, I manage our Foundation, the pathway to allowing those less fortunate to play the beautiful game of soccer.  

I live in Haddam, CT with my blessed family: wife Suzie, daughter Charley (10), and son Rhett (7). We are very busy with life and sports, and it is all going way too fast!  

What do you miss the most about being a teacher?
I miss the conversations. I took pride in getting to know each and every one of my students, whether at Schechter, Old Saybrook, or Haddam-Killingworth. I felt that the personal connection with my students was equally as important as the content we were teaching.  

What lesson/message/idea do you most hope your students took away from learning with you? 
Being a good human, doing what is right, and living life to the fullest. The students throughout my tenure at Schechter were so unbelievably successful leaving our doors, and if any of us inside the building helped their growth and development, then we did our job.  

Who is a colleague you learned a lot from? What did you learn?  
Rabbi Chatinover. His dedication to the community and students as a whole helped me carve out my educational leadership role once I moved on from Schechter. I knew nothing about Judaism, typically being the only person in the building that wasn’t Jewish! The passion and teaching Rabbi used to connect with the students was second to none. I was very thankful to be his colleague for so long and I wish him well! 

Alumni News

Kol hakavod to Jonathan Harris (a founding Schechter student!), who recently received the President’s Award from the NAACP Greater Hartford Branch. Jonathan is Director of Regulatory Affairs at Eversource Energy. The award,  presented at the NAACP’s Freedom Dinner, is a  reminder to him that service and justice are daily commitments. (see photo)

A hearty mazal tov to Schechter graduate Matt Kochen (2003) and his wife, Amanda, on the birth of their daughter. Abigail Georgie Kochen. 

Rebecca Lenkiewicz (2004) recently started a new position as Director, Community and Donor Engagement at JCC Chicago.

Mazal tov to Brian Solinksy (2005), who married Becca Pornoff on September 21, 2025! Brian is an Ophthalmologist practicing in greater Hartford. (see photo)

A hearty mazal tov to Daniel Chozick (2006) and his wife Lindsay on the birth of their son, Arthur Stern Chozick on November 15, 2025.

Mazal tov to Max Shakun (2006), who married Gianna Colson on November 8, 2025; their ceremony was officiated by his dear Schechter friend, Daniel Chozick (2006)! Max is a UX Designer living in Providence, Rhode Island. (see photo)