Today, we cast our spotlight on Jewish community member Mark Kneitinger, one of the recent recipients of the Network of Religious Communities’ Religious and Community Service Award Honorees for 2026. Mark was joined at the 42nd Annual Awards Dinner last week by Rabbi Alex Lazarus-Klein, past President of the Network of Religious Communities (NRC), current NRC Board of Governor Michal Lewis and Robin Raphael, NRC Archiving Project Organizer.

The NRC serves as a local forum for cooperative ventures, the strengthening of our religious communities and the betterment of the community as a whole with roots that date back to 1857. The dinner is organized solely for the purpose of honoring people who have given their time and hearts for their religious communities and the wider community. Fifteen distinct religious organizations chose to honor members this year. It is a joyous celebration of service, unity and diversity in Western New York and is a wonderful opportunity to bring together groups of people who don’t usually interact.

Mark is a native South Buffalonian where he grew up playing bagpipes in the Irish center, later joining the United States Air Force specializing in nuclear missiles in the mountain states where he enjoyed mountain climbing and survival camping. Mark then spent a long career in database technology working in health care and banking until retirement. Mark converted to Judaism in 2018 and shortly met his wife Sue of blessed memory and has devoted his time in volunteering and supporting the Jewish community.

An enthusiastic member of Congregation Shir Shalom, Mark regularly attends Friday night Erev Shabbat services and Shabbat morning services. Furthermore, he has become active in the governance of the synagogue by serving on numerous committees (Worship, Haggadah, Membership) and the Board of Trustees. A versatile musician, Mark has also played several instruments with the synagogue house band and now branched out into acting and organizing with the Purim Spiel Players.

Mark’s commitment to the Jewish community has grown with time and he has branched out to serving on the Life and Legacy Committee and the Chevra Kadish (caring for people after death before burial). Lastly, he advocates for the Jewish community as a whole by serving as a member of the Board of Governors for the Network of Religious Communities.

Rabbi Alex Lazarus-Klein described Mark by saying “Mark brings a bright, warm spirit and a can-do attitude that has a transformative effect on everyone he touches. We are blessed to have him at Congregation Shir Shalom.”