Temple Shaari Emeth () is a

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Jewish Jews (, , ), or the Jewish people, are an ethnoreligious group and nation, originating from the Israelites of History of ancient Israel and Judah, ancient Israel and Judah. They also traditionally adhere to Judaism. Jewish ethnicity, rel ...

synagogue A synagogue, also called a shul or a temple, is a place of worship for Jews and Samaritans. It is a place for prayer (the main sanctuary and sometimes smaller chapels) where Jews attend religious services or special ceremonies such as wed ...

located at 400 Craig Road in Manalapan,

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, in the United States.

History

Founded in 1966, Temple Shaari Emeth originally had 50 member families, and had its facilities at two Manalapan residences. Irwin Goldenberg was the congregation’s first religious leader. The congregation established a

religious school A religious school is a school that either has a religious component in its operations or its curriculum, or exists primarily for the purpose of teaching aspects of a particular religion. For children A 2002 study in the United States found highe ...

, with 23 students attending the first class which was held on February 18, 1966 at the two Manalapan homes. The

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corridor in Manalapan was expanding quickly, and many Jewish families from

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were relocating to the area. By 1967, the members of Temple Shaari Emeth needed more space for the growing congregation. In 1968,

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donated 3.5 acres of land on Craig Road in Manalapan. Construction of the new synagogue began in May 1969 and was completed in April 1970. The synagogue underwent a major

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in 1990.

Religious school

The religious school has 527 students in grades K-10, with another 16 students enrolled in the school's post-confirmation program (grades 11-12).

Clergy

Rabbi Peter Kasdan of

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served as the temple's religious leader from 1969 to 1971. He was succeeded by Rabbi Phillip Schechter of

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, who occupied the position for the next 29 years. In 2003, Rabbi Melinda Panken of New York City became the congregation's religious leader.

Notable members

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(born 1995), football tight end for the

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of the National Football League

References

External links

* 1966 establishments in New Jersey 20th-century synagogues in the United States Buildings and structures in Monmouth County, New Jersey Jewish organizations established in 1966 Manalapan Township, New Jersey Reform synagogues in New Jersey Synagogues completed in 1970 {{US-synagogue-stub