Brooklyn Jewish Hall of Fame 2024
“BJHI was created to tell the extraordinary story of the Jewish community of Brooklyn, so the world would know’ said Howard Teich, BJHI Founder and Co-chair, “and the BJHI Brooklyn Jewish Hall of Fame will recognize the leading Brooklynites who have truly made a difference in the world, and there are many.”
“We wanted to be sure that the first class had a representative balance,” said Sarina Roffé, BJHI Co-chair. “So we have someone from the Russian community, the Syrian community, etc., as well as business leaders, social activists and entertainers.”
BJHI BROOKLYN JEWISH HALL OF FAME
CLASS OF 2024
Photo Gallery
Inductees
Tatiana Varzar
Tatiana Varzar, born in Odessa, Ukraine, is a celebrated chef and highly successful restaurant owner who has made an indelible mark in the culinary world. With an illustrious career spanning over four decades, Tatiana's passion for food and her unwavering commitment to excellence have firmly established her as a culinary icon.
In 1978, Tatiana immigrated to the United States, seeking new opportunities and a platform to showcase her culinary talents. With a burning desire to make her mark in the American culinary scene, she wasted no time in pursuing her dreams.
In 1979, Tatiana opened her first restaurant, Golden Palace, which quickly gained a reputation for its delectable cuisine and impeccable service. Over the course of three years, Tatiana's culinary expertise and exceptional business acumen propelled Golden Palace to success, solidifying her position as a rising star in the industry. More restaurants followed.
In 1996, Tatiana unveiled a new facet of her culinary empire by transforming Restaurant Tatiana in Brooklyn into a dynamic nightclub cabaret. This groundbreaking concept seamlessly blended outstanding cuisine with vibrant entertainment, creating an electrifying nightlife experience. For 28 years, Restaurant Tatiana captivated audiences, establishing itself as an iconic institution where unforgettable memories were made.
Rabbi Avi Greenstein
Avi Greenstein is the Chief Executive Officer of the Boro Park Jewish Community Council (BPJCC). Since 2016, Avi has led the organization in its mandate to provide improved access to social services to the residents of Boro Park, including housing, employment, immigration, senior care, and healthcare. Under his capable leadership, the BPJCC has grown from a little-known community council into a multimillion-dollar organization that has expanded across many fronts to assist the Boro Park community. The BPJCC has expanded beyond simply offering social services and has developed many innovative and impactful programs, including a Parent Engagement Community Center, the Brooklyn Communities United initiative, and continuously growing workforce development programs. The BPJCC is recognized and respected for its voice in promoting health equity and access to social services, raising awareness of the critical need to combat anti-Semitism and advance security endeavors for the Boro Park Community.
Joe Nahem
Joe/Joey Nahem was born and raised in the Syrian Jewish community in Brooklyn, New York, where he STARTED OUT WORKNG in his parents retail stores. The third of four children, Joe showed a natural talent for interior design as a teenager, decorating spaces in the homes of his relatives. AFTER GRADUATING PARSONS SCHOOL OF DESIGN ,Joe and his late business partner, Tom Fox, started Fox-Nahem Design in their early twenties. After 4 decades of experience, Joe AND HIS TEAM change with the times, without falling victim to fads, and curate rare vintage pieces, as well as works with artists, craftspeople and artisans from AROUND THE GLOBE. The design firm has been included in a number of top design lists: AD- 100, Elle Decor A-List , New York Magazine’s Top 100, New York Spaces Top 50 , and Luxe Magazine’s Gold List. THE FIRM’s PROJECTS HAVE BEEN IN Magazines such as Architectural DIGEST , ELLE DÉCOR AND A RECENT FEATURE OF ROBERT DOWNEY Jr’s MALIBU HOME IN NY Times T-Magazine Joe’s designs can be found in the former home of Jacqueline Kennedy at 740 Park Avenue, and the famed Dakota. Fox-Nahem, The Design Vision of Joe Nahem was published by Abrams. Joe is proud of his Syrian Jewish heritage, his Brooklyn roots and his family’s egacy.
Rabbi Aaron Raskin
Rabbi Aaron Raskin is an American Chabad Lubavitch rabbi and writer. Rabbi Raskin came to Brooklyn Heights in September of 1988 to co-found Congregation B’nai Avraham and serve as its spiritual leader. As an emissary of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, he inspires his congregation, which includes many prominent judges, lawyers, doctors and other community leaders, with his elegant, poignant ethical and spiritual guidance. He is also dean of Brooklyn Heights Jewish Academy. His grandfather, Rabbi Jacob J. Hecht, served as official translator to the Lubavitcher Rebbe.o.
Noah Rinsky
Noah Rinsky, a screenwriter, director, and digital creator, earned a degree in literature from the University of Colorado at Boulder. He co-wrote the feature-length thriller LIVE FEED, which is currently in production at Bazelevs (the producers of UNFRIENDED and SEARCHING), tentatively slated for release in 2026. He also co-wrote and co-directed a screenlife quarantine film called LOVE IN ISOLATION starring Carlson Young for the same company. In 2023 Rinsky co-wrote and directed the mockumentary SAUNA DREAMS, a short film that is currently being screened in festivals and stars OJM lead actor, David Roffe. Rinsky created, and serves as the creative mind behind the Instagram and Tik Tok accounts @oldjewishmen. The pages have amassed over 600k followers as well as hundreds of millions of views collectively. @oldjewishmen, and its merchandise, has been featured in The New York Times, New York Magazine, Interview Magazine, The Hollywood Reporter, GQ, The London Times, The New York Post and Vogue Magazine. Rinsky is also the author of the National Best Selling book, The Old Jewish Men’s Guidebook to Eatings, Sleeping, and Futzing Around, which was released in 2024 with Hachette Publishers. When Noah isn't across the street at the local diner, you can find him at home in Brooklyn with his wife and their pile of deadstock OJM merchandise.
David Roffe
BJHI is proud to induct David Roffe who began his acting career at the Upright Citizens Brigade. For years he dabbled in short films as a hobby, just for fun until he met Noah Rinsky, who had posted an ad looking for an old Jewish man. Dave fit the bill. A naturally funny and occasionally grumpy old man, David makes being an old Jewish man from Brooklyn a fun and lovable experience that is even at times... poignant. Whether he's protesting the price of the Costco hot dog, reviewing hard salami and pickles or screaming about the lack of public toilets in New York City, Dave was made to entertain. Since joining Old Jewish Men three years ago, David has become the face of the brand and is recognized wherever he goes in the world. He starred in the movie Sauna Dreams, as well as commercials for Meta, GrubHub, Mike's Amazing Mustard, Sperry Topsider, Kalshi, The New York Mets, and has appeared on Live with Andy Cohen and The Kelly Clarkson Show. Most recently Dave was in a commercial for Katz’s Deli that was directed by New York Nico. Married to Sarina Roffe, the father of three was born and raised in Brooklyn and has several grandchildren that he loves to be with. Infamous for his love of candy, David loves the beach and his dog Snowball.
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Brooklyn Jewish Historical Initiative (BJHI, Inc) is a 501c3 organization incorporated in New York State and located at 3603 Quentin Road, Brooklyn, NY 11234