Since 1965 Mark Willner has shared his love of Jewish history with students in Temple Emanu-El’s Department of Lifelong Learning. Over thousands of Sundays, Willner has taught about the Holocaust, the state of Israel, and other major moments in Jewish history. Many current religious school students are the children of Willner’s past students. On March 7th, during Teen Shabbat 2025, Mark will be honored alongside fellow religious school teacher Diane Bialick. Ahead of Teen Shabbat 2025 on March 7th, Temple Emanu-El ninth-grader and A-Teemer Daniel Skarin, sat down to interview Mark about mentorship, Jewish education, and 60 years of inspiring students. Fun fact: Daniel’s mother was one of Mark’s religious school students!

Daniel Skarin (DS): How did you end up at Temple Emanu-El? 

Mark Willner (MW): When I got married, my wife and her family had been members here. My wife, she’s one of 6 children. They all went to the temple’s religious school. I grew up in the Bronx. So I moved to Manhattan and I wanted to join a temple. Since my wife was already a member of Temple Emanu-El with her family, that’s why I joined.

DS: Why did you pursue Jewish education?

MW: At the time I was teaching in New York City public high schools. I was a social studies and history teacher. I wanted to do something in addition. Since I was working on weekdays, the idea of working on Sunday at a Sunday School or religious school sounded good. So I came down here for an interview and I knew enough Jewish history to start. The principal at the time hired me. So I began teaching fourth grade. And I liked it.

DS: Who have been mentors in your life?   

MW: Well certainly when I was growing up and studying for my bar-mitzvah, there was a rabbi who was kind of a mentor to me. Here at Temple Emanu-El, Rabbi Ronald B. Sobel. He was in charge of the religious school when I was hired and he was someone who I looked to for guidance.

 Additionally, I have also followed online several well-known scholars of Judaism. I have also attended many training sessions through The Museum of Jewish Heritage.

What are some of your favorite Temple Emanu-El memories? 

 I have many. I am really proud that students have shown interest in things about Israel and have understood and responded well to things about the Holocaust. 

 There’s a member of the board of trustees right now who was my student a long, long time ago. I saw him the other day. He remembered my first day of school lesson.  That was thrilling to me.

 Lastly, I have been here for 60 years. There have been many, many students whose parents I’ve had. The fact that I’m now teaching a second generation is very heartwarming to me and to hear nice things said is very thrilling.

 What have you learned from your Temple Emanu-EL students?

I have learned about their respect for Judaism and willingness to learn about Jewish history and interpret it.

What is a message you would like to share with students today?

 To maintain ourselves as Jews is done in many ways. My role in this building is to instill a sense of history as part of that remembrance. We also remember Jewish history by celebrating Jewish history with your family. My contribution is to establish an understanding of the past so you won’t forget it. I think back to a quote from Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel: “Six million died in the Holocaust. Are they subject to a two fold annihilation?” Which means if we forget them they will have died twice. I want students to remember so we can say that the six million did not suffer a twofold annihilation.

What is your favorite Jewish holiday?

I like them all knowing what they stand for. Passover and Purim are fun because they celebrate the past and the present. The foods for those holidays are good. I can’t eat just one hamantaschen!  Latkes on Chanukah are good. I love matzah brei. Matzah brei with syrup is wonderful. Each one has its own special meaning in terms of meaning and observance and culinary dimensions.

This interview has been edited for clarity and length. Celebrate Mark Willner and Diane Bialick’s decades of service and mentorship to Temple Emanu-El religious school students at Teen Shabbat 2025 on March 7th. During Teen Shabbat, teen students from the Department of Lifelong Learning lead every aspect of Temple Emanu-El’s Friday Night  Worship Service in our historic Fifth Avenue Sanctuary. Stay tuned for an upcoming interview with Diane Bialick about her career at Temple Emanu-El.