42-Year Employee Retires From Sinai

Temple Sinai is celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2018, and Lillie Janko has served on the staff for 42 of those 50 years.

Sunday night, June 3, Temple Sinai honored Janko on her retirement with a dinner attended by more than 225 people.

Short of the clergy, she has held almost every position at Sinai, from answering phones a few hours a week to working as the full-time receptionist, providing administrative support to the religious school and serving as the interim executive director.

In her final Sinai job as facilities and events director, Janko has supported families during lifecycle events in the Sandy Springs congregation.

Rabbi Phil Kranz, now the rabbi emeritus, was the senior rabbi for most of Lillie Janko’s employment at Temple Sinai.

From negotiating with caterers and vendors around b’nai mitzvah celebrations to working with florists before weddings, she has enabled Sinai to remain consistent on policy and procedures, and she has calmed families through her experience, expertise and stress-free demeanor.

The retirement dinner was full of laughter and fond reminiscences of her four-plus decades at Sinai, including a video of comments submitted by co-workers, family and friends.

Lillie Janko’s grandchildren join her at the retirement dinner.

Rabbi Ron Segal offered an inspiring tribute to her years with the congregation, and Bunzl Family Cantorial Chair Beth Schafer closed the evening with a blessing.

As Immediate Past President Marcia Nuffer said when giving Janko the President’s Award at Sinai’s recent annual meeting, “While she may spend less time around Sinai during retirement, we hope and trust that Lillie will remain a regular presence at the congregation she not only served, but also shaped.”