Grand Chancellor

Robert (Bob) Kaufman has been a Pythian since 1968, but did not become active until he became an officer in FDR Lodge in the late 1980’s. He served 3 terms as Chancellor Commander. He was active on most committees as well as the Foundation and Benevolent Association.

Bob was made a Deputy-at-Large by G.C. Joel Bergenfeld, and served as an Assistant to the Chief for G.C. Larry Hoffman. At the 2006 Convention, was elected as Grand Outer Guard.

Bob has served on most Grand Lodge committees (Sports, Diabetes, Humanitarian, Camp, Planning, etc.) At present he is co-chair of the Humanitarian Committee under the leadership of G.C. Jerry Bernzweig.

With his co-chair PGC Allan Greenberg, they started the Annual Golf Outing at Riis Park, which in five years has donated $95,000 to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.

Bob and his wife Renae recently celebrated their 41st anniversary. They have two daughters; Jodi who is married to Peter and Jill who is married to Stephen .They have 4 grandsons, Brandon, Matthew, Zachary and Spencer.

Grand Vice Chancellor 

Craig Shink is a Past Chancellor Commander of FDR Lodge #613. He has served as Chairman and/or as a Member of Every Committee of the Lodge, serves on the Board of Directors of Kings FDR Tolerance Foundation, the Lodge’s Charitable Affiliate for over 15 years and has served as its President twice, he serves on the Board of Directors of the Bayview Nemo Benevolent Association and is currently its First Vice President, and he serves on the Board of Directors of the Lodge’s Credit Union. For all his work on behalf of FDR Lodge, he has been Honored as the Man of the Year and presented with Life Membership.

He has served as Chairman of the Grand Lodge Insurance Committee since 2003. He was elected as Grand Outer Guard at the 139th Grand Lodge Convention in 2007. He is currently Chairman of All Chairman, Chairman of the Budget Committee, Community Involvement Committee and has been a Co-Chairman of Humanitarian Fund, He also serves on the Membership, Diabetes Research Association Planning, Sports Committees, Law, Youth Commission, Morris Smoller Fund, Ritual as well as serves on the Board of Directors of the Associated Health Foundation and a is member of its Executive Committee..

Craig Lives in Little Neck, Queens with his wife, Amy. Collectively Amy & Craig have Daughter Nicole and Son Matthew ( a Member of FDR Lodge).

Grand Prelate

Erwin Grill joined the Pythian order in 1969 as a member of Wendell Willkie Lodge and became an officer the following year. In 1987, he was appointed as a Deputy Grand Chancellor by G.C. Sir Stanley Brown. In 1993 he was an Assistant to the Chief Deputy Grand Chancellor for G. C. Sir David Peltzer and the Chief Deputy Grand Chancellor in 2006 for G.C. Martin Fasting. He is a Royal Prince of Habibi Temple of the Dokkies and currently serves as treasurer. He has served on many Subordinate and Grand Lodge committees.

Erwin was born on July 23, 1944 in Brooklyn New York. He grew up in Brooklyn and graduated Samuel J. Tilden High School in 1962. He attended both Brooklyn College and Pace University. Erwin’s father was a Pythian member in New York and Florida. His mother was a Pythian sister in Florida and one of his uncles is a member in Queens. His two brother-in-laws have been active in the Pythians order.

Erwin was married on January 28, 1968 in the Bronx NY to Susan Cowen. Susan is a Past Supreme Representative. Susan and Erwin have one daughter, Hayley, who lives in Astoria, NY.

Erwin was employed in the insurance industry for the past 45 years. He has worked for The New England Mutual Life Insurance Company, Connecticut Mutual Life Insurance Company and The Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company.

Erwin has helped pass school budgets and was very active in maintaining the Quest Program within the East Ramapo Central School District.

Grand Secretary

Irving Kleiman’s first affiliation with the Knights of Pythias was when he joined Claremore Lodge #451. He became active to the extent that he attended meetings regularly and brought in new members.

In August of 1954, he printed up two thousand flyers and hand delivered them, with the aid of his wife, Anita, to two local co-ops. The result was he started a new Lodge that became Douglaston Lodge #824. In one shot he brought in well over 200 new men into the order. Declining being the first Chancellor Commander he did accept the office of Secretary. Irv was a member of every committee and chaired most at one time or another.
After being active in the 14th Pythian District, he went up the chairs and became the Deputy for Chancellor Commander Joseph Freiman. He became a Past Deputy on May 30th 1999.

Being active in the Long Island Pythian Council, Irv went up the chairs and became the President, and is still very active there.

What amazes most of us is in his Pythian career he never planned to become the Grand Secretary of the Domain of New York. He was content being secretary of North Shore Lodge and being active there. Although it was never an office that he strived for he does appreciate the confidence his brothers had in him to award him with this exalted position of Grand Secretary

Grand Treasurer

Alan Ast

Grand Master at Arms

Sir Robert Ross was born in Yonkers, NY in 1946 and lived in Brooklyn for the greater part of his life. His father, Al, was also a Pythian. Bob graduated from Brooklyn's Samuel J. Tilden H.S. in 1964 and graduated from NYU in 1968 with a Bachelor of Science degree, thereafter became a NYC public school teacher. In 1974 Bob received his first Master's Degree in Guidance and Counseling from LIU and became a guidance counselor. Later Bob attended Pace University and received his second Master's Degree and a professional diploma in Educational Administration and Supervision. He then served as an Assistant Principal until his retirement in 2005.Currently, Bob still participates as a player on his Lodge's softball team. He is the President of a Monday 4-man bowling League. His third favorite pastime is fishing in freshwater and saltwater.

Grand Inner Guard

Steven Kohn’s Pythian career started in 1963 when he joined the Junior Order. In 1965, he became a Knight. He served Companion Brigham Park Lodge as Chancellor Commander in 1979-80. Afterwards, he served as Recording Secretary for five years. In his Lodge, Steven has served on every major committee including as a director of its charity foundation and benevolent association. In 2005, his Lodge conferred Life Membership upon him.

Steven served the 46th District as its Secretary, Vice President and President. He was appointed a Deputy Grand Chancellor for the 46th District by Grand Chancellor Julian Martin. Grand Chancellor Kenneth Danker appointed Steven as an Assistant to the Chief Deputy Grand Chancellor.

Steven has served on many Grand Lodge committees including the Youth Commission, Membership, Planning Commission, Humanitarian Fund, Programming & Speakers Bureau, Investiture, Community Affairs and Sports Committees. He is currently the Secretary for the Knights of Pythias Diabetes Research Association, on the Board of Managers of the Pythian Camp and on the Dr. Morris Smoller Sunshine Fund. He has been the 46th District’s Man of the Year and has a Friendship Award from Omni Esquire Lodge.

Steven is one of four generations of Pythians. His great uncle, father, and several uncles were Pythians. His two children, Scott and Brian are both active members of our Order. His wife, Debra, is a Past Grand Chief in the Pythian Sisters. Steven is retired after being employed in the insurance industry as a claims adjuster.

Grand Outer Guard

Sheldon Blitz became a Pythian in 1956. He immediately became very active and was appointed to several committees as well as the Executive Board of Criers Lodge #651. In 1963 to 1968 Sheldon became involved in the Grand Lodge Sports Committee. Over the years Sheldon bought food, supplies, jackets and was involved in the buying and selling of two buildings and became a permanent member of the prestigious Honor and Awards Committee. In 1993 Sheldon became very involved with the 7/9 District, became the Deputy Grand Chancellor in 1995 and a couple of years later served as President for the next two years. As president Sheldon went to other district meetings hinting for a merger. Sheldon succeeded , with help, to merge districts to form the larges district in the Order, the 2nd District, after first year became it’s President.
In 2004 Sheldon became a duel member joining Harmony Lodge #709 becoming an officer and member of their Executive Board. Currently Sheldon is the Treasurer of Criers Lodge #651 and Grand Lodge Rep. He is also Chancellor Commander of Harmony Lodge #709 as well as Collation Chairman.
Sheldon has 3 children and 6 grandchildren. He is also a Korean War Veteran.

Past Grand Chancellor

Michael Sukenick is a 2nd generation Pythian who joined New City/Orangetown Lodge #854 in 1987. After going up the chairs, he became the Chancellor Commander of the Lodge from 1994-1995. His Lodge honored him by presenting him with the Pythian Award, the Award of Merit, the Distinguished Service Award and the Knight of the Year Award, to name a few.
During 1995-1996, he was President of the 72nd District, where he helped raise funds for their Pacemaker Fund and served on various District committees. In 1996-1997, Michael became Deputy Grand Chancellor under Sir David Applebaum. A few years later, he was Assistant Chief under then Grand Chancellor, Sir Joseph Frieman. Michael is a charter member of Habibi Temple, and is a Past Imperial Representative of the Temple.
Michael has served as chairman or member of several Grand Lodge Committees, such as Humanitarian Fund, Public Relations, Planning Commission, Ritual Instruction, Camp, Diabetes and Membership. Michael was the recipient of the Sir Stanley Brown Award. He has been recognized with a citation by the town of Oyster Bay, for his work as co-chair of Coats for Kids.
Michael is married to his lovely wife, Rita, for 37 years. They have 2 children, a Pythian son, Scott, and a daughter, Bari. Scott and his wife, Ronit, blessed Michael with his first grandchild, David. Bari is engaged to Benjamin, who is also a Pythian.

Past Grand Chancellor

Jerome (Jerry) Bernzweig is married to Bubbie and they have seven children, Jay and Ellen, Lori and Richard, Robin and Andrew and Michelle. They also have seven grand-children, Jared, Sean, Christopher, Monica, Scott,Paul and Douglas.

Jerry is President and CEO of OPI Industries a leading manufacturer of plastic packaging for retail and promotional distributors.

Jerry’s Pythian career started in 1965 when he took his ranks and joined Criers lodge. In 1969 he transferred into Gavel Lodge. After serving on many committees he advanced through the chairs and became Chancellor Commander in 1979. He was named Gavel Pythian of the year in 1980. When Gavel Lodge merged Hillcrest lodge to form United Queens Lodge No.777 Jerry again served as Chancellor Commander. In 1992 he was named United Queens Pythian of the year. He was appointed Deputy Grand Chancellor by Grand Chancellor Norman Klein in 1995.

In 2000 he was appointed Chief Deputy Grand Chancellor by Grand Chancellor Joel Bergenfeld. While embracing all the ideals of the Pythian Order, Jerry is most drawn to its charitable aspects. Jerry has been active in the 52nd District Handicapped Children’s Committee. This organization brings joy to children and adults whose life has been marred by disabilities. He was named 52nd District Man of the Year in 1996. He continues to pursue his charitable endeavors as a member of the Board of Directors of Pythian camp, Smoller Foundation, and has served as co-chairman of Pythian Humanitarian Fund.

Assistant to the Chief Deputy Grand Chancellor

	(L to R)  ACDGC Jeremy Seidman, Brooklyn & Staten Island; ACDGC Scott Geffon, Queens & Long Island; ACDGC Phil Feigel, Manhattan; GC Robert Kaufman; ACDGC Don Rosenberg, Upper Suburban; ACDGC Corey Bearak
2011-2012 Executive Appointments
	(L to R) Executive Assistant PACDGC Ted Pashko, Grand Advocate Sir Ron Degen, GC Robert Kaufman, Executive Secretary ACDGC/GT Corey Bearak, Chairman of Finance PDGC Lewis Smith and Special Assistant to the Grand Chancellor PSDC Sir Kenneth Danker
Deputies
	(L to R) DGC Fred Peltz, 72nd District; DGC Mark Abramsky, 52nd District; GC Robert Kaufman; DGC William Cohen, 46th District and DGC Eric Steinhardt, 2nd District