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Susan Mickel, born and raised in Detroit, Michigan, moved to New York in the 1980s. After living in the Lower East Side for a time, Susan moved to Astoria. She came across the Astoria Center of Israel one day while out exploring the neighborhood. After participating in events at the Center for several years, Susan joined the congregation officially as one of its “younger” members at the time.

When Susan was growing up, girls in the Conservative movement were not taught to read Torah or haftarah. In 2008, with the help of Rabbi Spivack, Susan read a haftarah for the first time. That same year, Susan began leading the Shacharit service during the High Holy Days….a role she continues to perform.  A few years later she began reading Torah regularly at the Center’s Shabbat services. 

During her many years with ACI, Susan has fulfilled a variety of essential roles. Susan spent ten years on the Board of Trustees and Governors. More recently, Susan became Acting Chair of the Ritual Committee. She also took over the vital task of sending out the Center’s yahrzeit notices. When she realized the need was there, Susan assumed responsibility for ensuring the siddurim, ark, and other ritual items are properly garbed and updated for the High Holy Day services each year. 

Susan is consistently rooted in the current ritual needs of the Center while also contemplating those that are weeks, months, or even years in the future. Susan’s meticulous planning, particularly for services during the chagim, is essential to the smooth flow of services. Without Susan’s leadership and long-term commitment, the Center would not have been able to offer services so robustly before Rabbi Josh joined the Center. Her efforts and sacrifices during that transitional period were remarkable. She stood up to lead our congregation in prayer again and again in difficult times.

Susan represents the best of the ACI community, consistently stepping forward to help with tasks large and small, generously sharing her talent with the Center to provide the best possible spiritual services and events for our congregation. The Astoria Center of Israel thanks Susan for her long-term commitment, leadership, and involvement.