CLERGY
Rabbi Jonathan Kremer
Conservative Rabbi
rabbi.kremer@shirathayamnj.org
(609) 822-7116 x103
“Family and friends, community and connection, sun and sand — we are so blessed here at the shore! Our Jewish lives offer many opportunities for gratitude and gratification, insight and inspiration, spirituality and celebration. Let’s grow together!”
Rabbi Kremer was ordained and earned an MA in Bible at the Jewish Theological Seminary in New York. Before rabbinical school, he was a graphic designer specializing in Jewish nonprofits. His ability to meet their needs was enhanced by an education that included day schools and Camp Ramah, a BA in Hebraic Studies (Rutgers College; junior year at the Hebrew University, Jerusalem), and an MFA in Graphic Design (Tyler School of Art, Temple University, where he was a Conwell Fellow).
Rabbi Kremer’s artistic interpretations of text and tradition are seen (or heard) in works as varied as decorated ketubot (marriage contracts), graphic prints, six-foot-tall mezuzot made of laser-cut steel, limited-edition artist books, and melodies for prayers. (See/hear here)
At Shirat Hayam, Rabbi Kremer has been sharing his enthusiasm for Jewish life by offering classes on history, bible, midrash, Hebrew and ritual; he leads, with guitar, the Galeem (Hebrew school) Sunday morning drum circle service; instituted year-round Carlebach-style Kabbalat Shabbat services; revived the youth group program…and more.
Among the changes Rabbi Kremer has implemented at Shirat Hayam is enabling access to Torah (e.g., for an aliyah) for the mobility-challenged by rearranging some of the sanctuary furnishings. He has enhanced comfort and community by promoting the synagogue lobby as a place to meet and greet, and is always looking for fresh ways to foster warmth and welcoming.
He and his beloved muse and collaborator Ellie, a retired occupational therapist, raised three daughters — Aviva, Hannah and Devora — of whom they are most proud — just ask!
Rabbi Cantor Jacqueline Menaker
Rabbi/Cantor
rabbi.menaker@shirathayamnj.org
(609) 822-7116 x105
Rabbi Cantor Jacqueline Menaker is honored to serve Shirat Hayam as its Reform Rabbi and feels blessed to be able to create vibrant, warm, and inclusive worship, educational, programmatic, and life cycle experiences for the entire community. She comes to Shirat Hayam following eighteen years of service as co-clergy at Congregation of Reform Judaism in Orlando.
Rabbi Jacki is a new member of the Central Conference of American Rabbis (CCAR) and the Women’s Rabbinic Network (WRN). She has been a member of the American Conference of Cantors (ACC) since 2007. During her years as an active board member of the ACC she served as VP of Member Relations and External Partnerships, Secretary, and liaison to the URJ Commission on Social Action. Rabbi Jacki is a member of the Association of Rabbis and Cantors (ARC) and currently services as co-president of the South Jersey Board of Rabbis and Cantors (SJBRC) and member of the Avoda board.
Rabbi Cantor Jacki is dedicated to the pursuit of religious pluralism in Israel and is an advocate for deeper collaboration between Jewish movements in North America. She strives to develop new ways to approach, invigorate, and create meaningful connections to Judaism’s rich and diverse heritage with all members of the Shirat Hayam community. Along with other colleagues from the Bridge of Faith interfaith initiative in Atlantic County, Rabbi Jacki can be heard discussing important matters of the day on the Don Williams Radio show every third Thursday at 7:00 AM.
Rabbi Cantor Jacqueline Menaker received her cantorial investiture from Hebrew Union College – Debbie Friedman School of Sacred Music in 2007 and her B.A. degree from Emerson College. Rabbi Cantor Jacki was ordained as rabbi and received her M.A. degree in Jewish Studies on April 28, 2025 from the Academy for Jewish Religion (AJR) a seminary dedicated to training Jewish clergy in a pluralistic setting. She and her husband Mitch reside in Egg Harbor Township with their Great Danes Bentley, Bella, Shayna, and Maimonides (AKA Momo).
Cantor Rabbi Shoshi Levin Goldberg
We are thrilled to welcome Cantor Goldberg to Shirat Hayam!
As director of the H. L. Miller Cantorial School, Cantor Rabbi Shoshi Levin Goldberg leads the day-to-day activities for the Cantorial School, which includes advising and mentoring students, guiding curricular developments, assisting with recruitment, and strategically planning for future growth and success. She also works closely with the Block/Kolker Center for the Spiritual Arts as Hazzan-in-Residence to enhance the spiritual life of JTS and the broader Jewish community.
Cantor Levin Goldberg is an alumna of three JTS programs: List College, the H. L. Miller Cantorial School, and The Rabbinical School. She is a skilled musician, a soulful and joyful davener, and a deep teacher of Torah.
Before coming to JTS, she served as Cantor at Temple Israel Center in White Plains, NY and worked in various roles at synagogues throughout the tristate area.
Cantor Emeritus Edmond A. Kulp
Cantor Emeritus Edmond A. Kulp was born in France and raised in New York City in the Washington Heights section. Cantor Kulp has served Congregation Beth Judah for 42 years and continues to be actively involved reading Torah, coordinating high holiday honors and leading services. He also is involved in area chaplaincy.
Rabbi Gordon L. Geller, D.D., J.D. z"l
Reform Rabbi and Rabbi Emeritus
In his 29 year pulpit tenure, Dr. Gordon Geller was only the second rabbi to have served Temple Emeth Shalom of Margate in its 65 year history. Ordained by H.U.C. in Cincinnati, Ohio, with B.A., M.A. and Doctor of Divinity degrees, he later earned a J.D. degree in law and philosophy from Catholic University of America. He was a fellow of the Hayim Greenberg Institute at Hebrew University, Jerusalem; his undergraduate work was in bio-medical psychology at the University of Wisconsin (Milwaukee).
From 1988 to 2024, Rabbi Geller served as visiting Professor of Jewish Studies at Richard Stockton University, where he served on the President’s Commission on Human Relations. The National Jewish Chautauqua Society awarded him Life Member status for College Teaching.
For a decade, Rabbi Geller was President of the Interfaith Area Clergy of Greater Atlantic City. He was the Jewish Chaplain at the Federal Corrections Institution in Fairton, NJ, and was commissioned as a Chaplain in the US Naval Reserve. For more than 20 years he served on the board of NCCJ (National Conference of Christians & Jews, now National Conference on Diversity).
Rabbi Geller was on the National CCAR (Central Conference of American Rabbis) Select Committees on Israel. He was a local member of Masons, Rotary and Avodah Club; national memberships included American Jewish Congress, ADL, ACLU and ARZA (American Reform Zionists).
He was married to his lifelong soul mate Elaine for 52 years. He is survived by Elaine and their precious children Clare, Eliot and Marc, and seven grand-babies.