On this page you will find summaries and links to MRT Press Releases, showing how MRT Congregants reach out to the community!
Monmouth Reform Temple Performs Mitzvahs for Community!
Every year the entire membership of the Monmouth Reform Temple (MRT) in Tinton Falls joins together to perform Mitzvahs or good deeds. This year’s so-called “Mitzvah Day” occurred on Sunday, May 7th. Pictured here, MRT volunteers gathered to clean a beach in Sea Bright – representing just one of the many projects Temple members participated in. Mitzvah Day Committee Co-Chair Marcia commented, “Mitzvah Day – a day of Tikkun Olam – [is] a day of giving to those in need. There are many who need our help, and this is an opportunity to give to our community. Service to others is a part of our Jewish community.”
Click here for the full press release!
On March 5, 1886, Samuel Johnson was lynched on what is now Route 35 and Poplar Road in Eatontown. No one was ever held accountable for his murder. On March 19th, 2023, Monmouth Reform Temple (MRT) will host the kickoff to the NJSJRC Bearing Witness Soil Display with a special program at the temple at 3pm. The public is welcome to attend. Samuel Johnson’s story will be narrated by Reverend Terrance K Porter, Pastor of the Pilgrim Baptist Church in Red Bank. He will be joined by Rabbi Steve Sirbu of Temple Emeth in Teaneck, NJ.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.