Welcome!

Welcome to Sandy and Judy Canetti, who moved to Lancaster from Suffern, Rockland County, NY in October 2020.

This was following a harried time when Covid hit while they were on a cruise. By the time they returned, Judy’s mentor/co-worker had passed away from Covid, which led Judy to retire from her Paralegal job. Their son and daughter-in-law were also living in NY not too far from them in Westchester County until March 2020, when they relocated to Manheim just as Covid hit, to be closer to their daughter-in-law’s parents in Lebanon.

Following the birth of their granddaughter in July 2020, Judy and Sandy visited and fell in love with the area. Since Sandy worked remotely and Judy was retired, they had no reason to stay in New York, where congestion and cost of living gave them the incentive to move to a more rural and affordable area. They built a house in Manheim/Penn Township close to their kids and grandkids, ages 5 and 2.5.

Temple Beth El was a natural fit, since they had belonged to conservative (although more traditional) shuls. Due to Covid, they were unable to visit Temple Beth El, so they zoomed into meetings to find out more about it. When Cantor Chesler held a meet and greet for prospective new students at the school, Sandy attended, and they decided to join.

Judy grew up in Uniondale, Long Island, in a family that was very involved Jewishly. Her parents were founders of the synagogue, which they attended every Friday night for services. Judaism was ingrained in her upbringing, and she was involved in Bnai-Brith girls, USY, and the YM-YWHA.

Sandy grew up Rosedale, Queens and then the Five Towns area. His parents were equally as involved Jewishly in their synagogue in Rosedale. They were also founders of the Sephardic Synagogue in Cedarhurst, NY. Sandy was an officer in USY, and traveled to Israel on USY Pilgrimage.

Sandy worked for IBM as a programmer and in IT in other companies throughout his career, and Judy worked as a Paralegal for over 40 years. Sandy married Judy in 1978, where they lived an active Jewish life in traditional conservative shuls. Both held many leadership positions during their 30 years at Monsey Jewish Center, including Judy as Sisterhood President and Sandy as Synagogue President, and at Temple Beth El and The Jewish Community Center in Poughkeepsie, NY in the late 1980’s before relocating to Rockland County.

They have three children. Their son and daughter-in-law and grandchildren live in East Hempfield; their daughter and son-in-law live in Winter Garden, FL, where they both work for Disney World (hence Judy and Sandy’s love of Disney); and their youngest daughter, who lives in Rockville, MD, works as a Master’s level mental health professional. Judy and Sandy spend two months each winter in Winter Garden with their middle daughter, in the house they had purchased as a second home.

Judy states that at first Lancaster was a cultural shock (including searching for kosher food), but they have met many new friends through Temple Beth El and feel very welcomed by everyone. She is a happy Grandma living her dream retirement. Judy is a bat Cohen, and she had only her second Aliyah ever at Temple Beth El. They both look forward to life in Lancaster and being part of the Temple Beth El community.