Press Releases

Rabbi Marc Kline and Cantor Gabrielle Clissold gathered their flock in the Monmouth Reform Temple (MRT) Sanctuary for prayer and song on April 2, 2022, Mitzvah day. They then sent congregants and friends out to do God’s work. Rabbi Kline stated, “For 63 years, MRT has been a leader in social action and community service.” Mitzvah Day is one day emblematic of all the good work MRT does throughout the year, where the entire temple community gathers to perform numerous community service projects both in the Temple and outside in the community. This year’s leaders, pictured at the right, were Marcie Rachlin, Ocean Township, and Dean Ross, Farmingdale.

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During their annual celebration for Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s birthday, the Community YMCA of Greater Monmouth County honored Rabbi Sally Priesand, Ocean Township, for her life accomplishments. Pictured presently (left) and when she began her career 50 years ago (right), she was given the organization’s Humanitarian Award in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s birthday.

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On Monday evening February 8, in honor of Martin Luther King Day and Black History Month, Jewish Federation, Monmouth Reform Temple, and Axelrod Performing Arts Center partnered to present “Shared Legacies” by Menemsha Films. The film reflects on the crucial historical lessons from Black-Jewish cooperation in the Civil Rights Movement and is meant to inform and inspire us in combating hate today. Following the screening, leaders from the Jewish and Black communities in the heart of NJ came together for a community-wide panel discussion.

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Tinton Falls:  At its annual (virtual) meeting on December 8, The Jewish Federation in the Heart of New Jersey (Federation) honored Monmouth Reform Temple (MRT) President Marjorie Wold, among several others, for extraordinarily leadership efforts in the Jewish community this past year. Federation board member Jeffrey Schwartz stated, “A long-time Federation leader, Margie brought synagogues together to share their strengths and solutions during the COVID pandemic.” Her leadership united area temples to share best practices during COVID.

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The Monmouth Reform Temple (MRT) Mitzvah Day committee had been meeting for months fine-tuning the various activities that bring their temple members together to make a difference in the greater community one day in April. While Mitzvah Day was scheduled to take place on April 26, early on in the month it became apparent that members weren’t going to gather to sweep beaches, clean trails or cook at the Asbury Park Center. The temple, as the rest of our world, was closed for Covid 19.

Refusing to be deterred or derailed by this virus, MRT President Marjorie Wold suggested that the temple go virtual with what could be done. The result: MRT members created or donated over 500 masks to food banks, support organizations and individuals who needed them! This was just one the many activities and donation opportunities offered during their first Virtual Mitzvah Day held the last week of April.

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Celebrated Jewish Author and Professor Rabbi David Ellenson will speak at a special all-day seminar at Monmouth Reform Temple on Saturday, February 29. The public is welcome.

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Tinton Falls: In this new year, Monmouth Reform Temple (MRT) celebrates its 60th anniversary as a vital and spiritual force for its congregants and the greater community. The celebration kick-offs with a special Shabbat service on Friday, November 15, at 7:00 pm which will honor the temple’s former spiritual leaders. A Gala Dinner Dance is planned for Saturday, November 16, at the Sheraton in Eatontown beginning at 6 pm till 10:00 pm. Tickets are $50 per person. The featured speaker will be Rabbi Rick Jacobs, the president of the Union for Reform Judaism. All proceeds for the event will benefit the MRT Religious Education Endowment Fund.

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Tinton Falls: For twelve years now, precious garden space on the Monmouth Reform Temple (MRT) campus has produced and delivered thousands of pounds of fresh vegetables to local, non-sectarian pantries in Monmouth County. On a humid day in August, master gardeners and volunteers were busy, culling bright red tomatoes off the vines, weighing cucumbers and peppers, and sorting squash and beets for delivery to Jewish Family & Children’s Service of Greater Monmouth County (JFCS) in Asbury Park. Led by long-time temple member and past religious school principal David Levinsky, also a master gardener, volunteers meet every Thursday and other days as needed during the growing season.

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