Our Rabbi - Joel N. Abraham

"I believe that my role as Rabbi to this congregation is similar both to that of a good reference librarian and a cheerleader. In Rabbinic school, I have been trained in the wide range of sources of the Jewish religion. As I make those texts more accessible and available to the members of the community, they can access their Jewish heritage themselves and feel their own Judaism come alive. Our job as a congregation is to create a warm and welcoming community which people want to become a part of -- a place where they can feel comfort when they need and celebrate when they are proud; people with whom they want to work to help heal the world and to just grow together; an environment where they can meet those with similar interests and differing points of view. My job as Rabbi is to both lead and encourage, to be there for individual congregants and families when I am needed, and to help others reach out to be there as well. I, and my family, are excited to be here at Temple Sholom -- a community which is reaching out to define itself and to continually wrestle with what it means to be the best congregation it can be."

Rabbi Abraham and his wife, Michelle Shapiro Abraham, have one daughter -- Avital Devorah and one son - Ezri Barak. He grew up in Temple Beth El in Somerville where his father was the Rabbi and where he was active in JFTY. He co-founded a Reform Jewish student organization in college and has worked for our region's youth movement and Mitzvah Corps. His education degrees include a BA in History from Yale College, an MA in Modern European History from Columbia, and an MAHL from Hebrew Union College in Los Angeles. He was ordained at HUC-JIR in New York and studied at the Jerusalem, LA, and NY campuses. Before becoming Rabbi at Temple Sholom in 1999, he served pulpits in California, Nevada, Virginia, and West Virginia. Locally, Rabbi Abraham is president of the Scotch Plains/Fanwood Ministerium, is active with HomeFirst, the Interfaith Coalition for the Homeless of Union County and a member of the Central Conference of American Rabbis and the Vice President of the NJWHVARR. He also serves on the URJ Kutz Camp Committee and the CCAR Youth Committee.

Rabbi Abraham is available to meet with you -- please call or e-mail (rabbi@sholomnj.org) for an appointment.

Our Student Cantor - Vicky Glikin

Our Director of Education - Michelle Shapiro Abraham

I was nine years old the first time I celebrated Purim. My mother drove us over the mountains between California and Oregon to celebrate with the tiny Jewish community of Medford. We spent the night at the Osborne’s – a wonderful couple who welcomed us into their home. In the morning, Sylvia Osborne made me a hamentaschen costume from two pieces of cardboard and the shelf paper she had bought for her kitchen cabinets. After the megillah reading, the carnival, the candy and cookies, I decided that I liked this Jewish thing.

Years later I would learn the story of Purim; I would struggle with the role of women; I would question the death of thousands as a cause for celebration, I would analyze the historical context. However, that day did its job – it inspired me and my family to make Judaism an active part of our lives. Vicky Kellman, a Jewish family educator and researcher, teaches that our programs and classes need “multiple entry points.” For some the entry point into Judaism is a Purim celebration, for others it is worship, for still others it is acting out the Torah story. The entry point, however, is just the beginning. The long term is truly what matters. I believe that Jewish education must inspire us to celebrate Jewish time in our homes and affirm Jewish values in our actions. Working with our teaching staff and our Board of Education, I strive to create a Religious School that enables our students to question, explore, celebrate, and live Jewish lives. I believe we must challenge them intellectually, engage them spiritually, and encourage them to use their creativity to make Judaism their own. Our children must go far beyond entering Judaism; they must be empowered and inspired to live Judaism.

Here at our school at Temple Sholom, I work together with the Board of Education and our teaching staff to create this type of relevant, exciting, and meaningful Jewish Education. Working as partners with parents, we strive to create numerous entry points for children and families to find meaningful Jewish experiences.

Michelle Shapiro Abraham and her husband, Rabbi Joel N. Abraham, have two children – Avital (a very creative 2nd grader) and Ezri (a rambunctious 3 1/2 year-old) Michelle grew up in California where she was active in NFTY (National Federation of Temple Youth) as both a regional board member for Southern California and a camper, counselor, and art teacher at Camp Swig Summer Camp. Michelle has an undergraduate degree from California State University Northridge in Religious Studies and a Masters in Jewish Education from the Rhea Hirsch School of Education at Hebrew Union College. In addition to her work as a temple educator, Michelle is also the author of numerous Jewish curricula and children’s books. Her works include the Reform Movement’s Ethics Curriculum including materials for third graders through adults, as well as the “Chai Family Education Curriculum”. In Michelle’s free time (which isn’t much after the birth of Ezri!) she enjoys pottery, baking, and scrapbooking.

Our Bookkeeper and Religious School Administrator - Larry Berman

“My role as office manager/bookkeeper is to assure that the programs and day-to-day operations of Temple Sholom run smoothly and that the Temple and its membership meet their financial obligations. We, in the office, are the backstage crew who seamlessly keep the show moving smoothly so the actors can perform to their utmost and the audience can get the most from the performance. Since my family and I are active in our synagogue and I have been on a variety of committees as well as the board of trustees at my previous shul, I am aware of and sensitive to the needs of the different constituencies that make up the whole of Temple Sholom. My office is always open to congregants to discuss operations or financial issues.”

Larry and his wife Ann Freedman have one son – Jonathan. They live in Westfield and belong to Congregation Beth Israel. Larry grew up in the old country, Brooklyn, and immigrated to New Jersey, the land of opportunity, 16 years ago. He has a BA in Sociology from Brooklyn College, an MA in Urban Planning from the University of Michigan, and an FSA in Synagogue Administration from the UAHC. Prior to attending the U of M, Larry worked Off-Off-Off-Off Broadway and was able to tour Israel with a theater company. Before coming to Temple Sholom, Larry worked for many years in government, for non-profit organizations, and as Administrator for Temple Beth El in Hillsborough.

Our Office Administrative Assistant - Barbara Cooke

Barbara lives in Piscataway with her husband Lou, her children Chelsea & Jordan and their dog, Cheesecake.