Meet Our Clergy

Rabbi Emily Losben-Ostrov

rabbiemily@sholomnj.org

Rabbi Emily is a nationally recognized Reform Rabbi known for her joyful approach to Judaism which especially focuses on individual connections, social justice, meaningful spirituality and education for all ages. Prior to coming to Scotch Plains, she served as the Rabbi at Temple of Israel in Wilmington, NC,  Temple Anshe Hesed in Erie, PA and Sinai Reform Temple in Bay Shore, New York (Long Island). She received her ordination from Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in Cincinnati in 2008, and also has a Master’s Degree in “Educational Administration” from Xavier University and a Master’s Degree from HUC-JIR in “Hebrew Letters.”

While at HUC-JIR, she wrote her Rabbinic Thesis on, “Naming the Unnamed: Biblical Characters Known only by their Roles or Relationships.”  Rabbi Losben-Ostrov graduated from Albright College (Reading, PA) where she was in the Honors Program and received a BA in French and another BA in Political Science and Communications. 

Rabbi Losben-Ostrov is fully committed to the Jewish imperative of Tikkun Olam (repairing the world/ engaging in social justice) and is proud to currently serve on the Reform Movement’s Commission on Social Action and to also be on the Religious Action Center’s Leadership Team for national campaigns.  For her community and interfaith work, Rabbi Losben-Ostrov was awarded “Clergy of the Year” from the New Hanover County NAACP.  She is also very proud to have founded the Pesach Project for HUC-JIR which has allowed hundreds of Rabbinical Students to help lead seders and educational opportunities in the Former Soviet Union. Rabbi Losben-Ostrov is also very passionate about fighting AIDS and has led an annual Healing Service for over two decades to raise awareness of the AIDS crisis.

While at HUC, Rabbi Losben-Ostrov served small Jewish communities as a “Student Rabbi” in Joplin, MO; Bowling Green, KY; Bloomsburg, PA; Pine Bluff and McGehee, AR; and La Salle, IL. She has also spent time working with Jewish youth in Reading, PA; Larchmont, NY; at Camp Harlam and as the Advisor to the NFTY-Missouri Valley Region. Additionally, Rabbi Losben-Ostrov loves to teach anyone and everyone about Judaism and taught a weekly “Introduction to Judaism Class” for the Reform Movement in New York City. She and her husband, Ruben Ostrov, founded the company, “Meshuga Bands” which creates fun and whimsical Jewish products for all age groups. Rabbi Losben-Ostrov also loves spending time with her family, going to the theater, traveling, doing zentangle, and so much more!

Cantor Darcie N. Sharlein

cantor@sholomnj.org

"As a Cantor, I am always striving to build connections. Whether it is through music at services, while teaching our students in preparation for becoming b’nei mitzvah, or simply during conversations with congregants, I hope to help the members of our Temple Sholom community connect more deeply with God and their Jewish heritage, with others in the congregation, and with themselves. I believe that Judaism can bring depth, beauty, and meaning to our lives. It is a joy and a privilege to walk with our congregants on their Jewish journeys, to help forge connection, beauty, and meaning."

A New Jersey native, Cantor Sharlein traces her love for Jewish music and worship to experiences as a child and young adult at Temple Shalom (Aberdeen, NJ), NFTY, and URJ Kutz Camp. She holds a BA in Music from Wesleyan University (Middletown, CT), and received a Master of Sacred Music degree and cantorial ordination from Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion’s Debbie Friedman School of Sacred Music.

While studying at HUC-JIR, Cantor Sharlein served as a Student Cantor here at Temple Sholom and at Congregation B’nai Yisrael in Armonk, NY. From 2008-2012, she served as the Cantor of Temple Emanu-El in Oak Park, MI, where she was involved in the full range of clergy responsibilities including worship, education, life cycle and pastoral care, and synagogue leadership. She is a past vice-president of Refugee Assistance Partners and a member of the American Conference of Cantors.

Cantor Sharlein lives in Fanwood with her spouse, Jeffrey, and their children, Ruth and Micah.

Rabbi Dr. Joel N. Abraham (Emeritus)

rabbiabraham@sholomnj.org

Rabbi Abraham served as Rabbi of Temple Sholom from 1999 to 2025, guiding the Temple in its move from Plainfield, through its time in the wilderness in Fanwood, to its new location in Scotch Plains.  During his tenure, he served as a leader in social and racial justice, in civic community, and in interfaith relations. 

Before becoming Rabbi at Temple Sholom in 1999, he served pulpits in California, Nevada, Virginia, and West Virginia. Rabbi Abraham is a member of the Central Conference of American Rabbis; and the Past President (and current Secretary) of the New Jersey-West Hudson Valley Association of Reform Rabbis; mazkir  of the NFTY-GER Clergy team; member of the Central New Jersey Va'ad haRabbanim and the Steering Committee of the MetroWest Rabbis' Roundtable; a member of the steering committee for the Union County Interfaith Coordinating Committee; (twice) past president of the Scotch Plains/Fanwood Ministerium; he is a co-founder and Board member of Social Justice Matters, and Board Secretary of Faith in New Jersey, and is fiercely committed to increasing justice in our turbulent world. In 2019, he was the joint recipient of the Union County Human Relations Commission's Unit Award for Achievement for the work of Social Justice Matters, and was awarded the Scotch Plains-Fanwood Martin Luther King Day of Service award in 2022. 

Rabbi Abraham lives in Fanwood with his spouse, Michelle Shapiro Abraham, DRJE, the Executive Director of JBI Library. They have two children, Avital and Ezri.