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Monica Schneider Brewer is a Jewish Free Spirit, who, along with her wonderful family, alit at Monmouth Reform Temple in 2008. Her husband James Brewer is an active volunteer at MRT. Their two sons, Jonah, in 10th grade, and Lev, in 8th grade, have shown that volunteerism is hereditary in their family and are active in the Youth Group and other projects around MRT.

Monica was born in New York City and grew up in New Jersey. She went to Clark University in Massachusetts and F.I.T. In NYC. Monica brings a great combination of suburban cool and urban heat to all she does. At one point, earlier in her adulthood, Monica owned a bagel restaurant with her family in Key West, Florida. She found magic while delivering hot bagels at 5am to guest houses and restaurants because she could enjoy the beautiful gardens and the tropical island in the quiet, early morning hours.

When Monica joined MRT, she was challenged by the then Membership Chair, Lisa Calderwood, “to participate fully and not just come on the High Holy Days”. She has taken this to heart and has served MRT as Sisterhood President, Religious Education Committee member and now Executive Board Vice President overseeing Youth Activities and Religious Education. Monica’s experiences allow her to bring added value to all her positions.

In closing, when asked for a quote, Monica said, “MRT has been an amazing gift to me and my family. The experience of being members here has enriched our lives in countless ways and will impact my sons lives forever(of this I am certain). I never have had a community such as this one elsewhere in my life.”

Monica and her family are true assets to MRT. And as she would also say, “peace out.”

Bonnie Klein

Faith is the Chair of our Finance Committee. She makes her home in Red Bank with her husband Brian and their two children, Evan and Amy. Faith is an Information Technology Project Manager working primarily on governmental systems.

Faith joined the Temple in 2005 and upon being asked to participate, became a key figure in composing and preparing the Ad Journal for our Arts Festival. She’s been building an ever widening circle of friends by being an active participant in our Temple life ever since. It great to see that Evan and Amy seem to be following in her footsteps. Faith joined the Board as co-Chair of the Religious Education committee in 2011 and became Finance Chair in 2014.

In addition to being a working mom, Faith grows some of her own veggies in her garden and admits to dabbling in the kitchen. Faith is an important part of our Shir Chadash musical ensemble where she plays guitar and sings. Look for her on the Bimah on First Fridays.

By Stu Tuchband

Bonnie grew up in Shrewsbury, NJ. Her ties to MRT go all the way back to 1961. Her parents joined MRT that year when it was housed in the Presbyterian Church. She was confirmed at MRT by Rabbi Ellenbogen.

Bonnie also started her volunteering at MRT at a young age. While attending Red Bank Regional High School she also found time to be involved with the MRT Youth Group, and was President from 1970-1971. Her daughter Sarah has followed in her footsteps serving as Youth Group President in recent years.

Bonnie went on to college at SUNY – College of Environment Science and Forestry at Syracuse University. After college she met her husband, Ron, in Texas and they have been married for 26 ½ years. They have three children. Zoe is 33 and lives in Houston. Adam is 31 and lives in Lake Charles, LA. He is married to Katherine and they have a one year old son named George. Sarah is 18 and lives at home. She will be attending Sarah Lawrence College in Bronxville NY in the Fall.

Bonnie and her family moved back to Red Bank in 2012. She spent most of her career as a major department store retailer and retired after 27 years. She currently sits on the Monmouth Medical Center Foundation Board as well as the MRT Board as Chair of the Religious Education Committee.

By Jay Feigus

Busy, busy, busy. If he’s not coaching his daughter’s softball team or running his office furniture business, he’s at MRT volunteering. Jay Feigus is a busy person.

Born in Brooklyn, NY he moved to Middletown when he was 3. His grandparents and parents joined MRT at that time. The Feigus’s are now a 4th generation MRT family. Jay was Bar Mitzvahed at MRT by Rabbi Winters and has good memories from those days. He went to Middletown South High School where he played football and baseball. He then attended Rutgers where he played baseball and majored in Economics. He graduated in 1987. The family office furniture business was waiting for him and he is now partners with his brother.

Rabbi Priesand married Jay and his first wife Cynthia in 1996 and she also named their daughter Julia. After Cynthia passed away Jay married Monica in 2003 and Kate was born in 2005. Jay was always somewhat active in MRT with the Arts Festival but as his children became more involved so did he.

With a push from Gaby and Rabbi Pearlman Jay joined some committees but it was Semmes Brightman constantly calling him that finally did it. Jay found that the more he volunteered the better he felt. “I like to help people,” is a constant refrain from Jay. “If I can make changes to help people I feel better. I like volunteering because I can make a difference.”

In his “free” time, Jay enjoys golf, football games and Mets games.

Boy are we lucky to have Jay at MRT!!!

By Bob St. Lifer

Bob St Lifer was born and raised in Hillside NJ. His family was very active in their synagogue, but all the Jewish families in Hillside and Elizabeth worked together regardless of the temple or synagogue they were affiliated with. As a child Bob remembered that people would gather at people’s homes a few times a year to do community fundraisers. Everyone would call out what they could give. Wealthy people could give much more then others, but every time someone made a pledge, it was greeted with thanks and enthusiasm. Every one’s pledge was honored and appreciated, no matter how great or small. People used to bid to get a High Holy Day Aliyah, but whomever would win would say, “but please tell the Rabbi to give my aliyah to the person who deserves the honor, my bid serves as a donation.”

As soon as they moved to Colts Neck they joined MRT and the Jewish Federation. He believes it is important to support the Jewish community.

All of Bob’s friends were going to Rutgers and American University, but he wanted to do something different. He was advised to go to University of Pittsburgh. It was a great choice because it was there that he met Susan. After college Bob went onto Law School at Pepperdine in Malibu, California. He passed the NJ bar but chose to join his father in the men’s clothing business. Bob worked at the store which moved to Toms River at the Ocean County Mall. Susan and Bob moved to Colts Neck to be closer to the store, but not so far from family. Susan works as a special ed teacher in Eatontown. They had Lily and then the twins, Sam and Emily. Lily is a Pre school teacher in New Brunswick, Sam is married to Annie and they live in San Diego; he is finishing up his MA and works for a military contractor. Emily works in LA at a synagogue called Temple Beth Am and she loves it there.

When they moved to Colts Neck, MRT became a very important part of their lives, all their children went to religious school, became B’nai Mitzvah, and went through Confirmation. Both Bob and Susan remain active in the synagogue. They attend Friday night services regularly. Bob attends Saturday AM study every week and goes all over to take Jewish studies courses at Rutgers and other synagogues in our vicinity. Bob also belongs to Freehold Jewish Center and attends the morning minyan every day since he retired.

Bob has been part of two Rabbinic search committees at MRT and financial secretary for the past 6 years. For fun he plays tennis and golf and cards a few times a week. Bob has a sister Lois and her daughter is our Religious School Principal-Stephanie Fields. Bob’s first cousin Bill and his wife Joanne also belong to MRT. As if all that isn’t enough Bob also volunteers for kosher meals on wheels and at Federation where he has held every Board position.

Quite simply, Bob loves MRT and says it is like his family. We are all connected and need one another, for Bob and Susan, it is all about “community”.

By Cantor Gabrielle Clissold