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!
Cantor Jacqueline Menaker
Reform Spiritual Leader
cantor.jacki@shirathayamnj.org
Phone (609) 822-7116 x 118
Cantor Jacqueline Menaker is honored to serve Shirat Hayam as Reform Spiritual Leader and feels blessed to be able to create vibrant, warm, and inclusive worship, educational, programmatic, and life cycle experiences for all members of the Shirat Hayam family. She comes to Shirat Hayam following eighteen years of service as co-clergy at Congregation of Reform Judaism in Orlando.
Cantor Jacki is an active member of the American Conference of Cantors (ACC) and served on its Executive Board for ten years. A passionate advocate of social justice issues grounded in Jewish values, Cantor Jacki was appointed to the Core Leadership Team of RAC-NJ and also serves as the ACC liaison to the URJ Commission on Social Action and is the treasurer of the South Jersey Board of Rabbis and Cantors. She has served as Vice President of Member Relations and External Partnerships and Secretary of the ACC, a member of the Community Relations Committee of the Jewish Federation of Greater Orlando and the Community Council on Spirituality and Aging.
Cantor Jacki is a graduate of the 2010 cohort of the Kellogg School of Management’s Program for Jewish leaders and the 2012 cohort of Kol Zimra , a leadership program connected to Jewish Renewal led by Rabbi Shefa Gold. Cantor Jacki is dedicated to the pursuit of religious pluralism in Israel and is an advocate for deeper connections 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 cultural heritage with all members of the Shirat Hayam community. She is currently matriculating in the Rabbinical Ordination Program at the Academy for Jewish Religion in Yonkers, New York, a seminary dedicated to training clergy in a pluralistic setting. She expects to be ordained as Rabbi in April, 2024. Cantor Jacki received her cantorial investiture from Hebrew Union College – Debbie Friedman School of Sacred Music in 2007 and her B.A. degree from Emerson College. She and her husband Mitch reside in Egg Harbor Township with their Great Danes Bentley, Bella, Shayna, and newest addition, Maimonides (AKA Momo).
Cantor Harvey Wolbransky
Cantor
cantor.wolbransky@shirathayamnj.org
Phone (609) 822-7116 x117
Cantor Wolbransky studied privately with Cantor Louis Goldhirsh, Cantor Philip Kurshner, Rabbi Chaim Grossman, and Shalom Altman of Gratz College. He received both a BA and BS from Temple University where he still serves on the Sport Medicine Team. He went on to receive a Doctor of Optometry from the Pennsylvania College of Optometry, and served on its board for 19 Years. As President of the New Jersey Society of Optometric Physicians, he holds many awards from both the AOA and NJSOP. He retired from practice in January 2017, and will now serve as Cantor of Shirat Hayam.
Since the age of eighteen, Cantor Wolbransky has served as both a full time and part time cantor. His first pulpit was in 1973 at Congregation Chesed Shel Emet of Pottstown Pa. In 1976, he served as full time cantor of Congregation Tifereth B’nai Israel of Warrington, Pa. In 1977, he became the High Holiday Cantor of Congregation Beth El of Randellstown, Md. as he started his Optometric Medical Practice. In 1981 when his family moved to Cherry Hill he once again served as full time cantor of Congregation Beth Tikvah of Marlton, NJ. In 1984, after relocating to Pennsylvania, he has served as part time cantor of Congregation Tifereth B’nai Israel of Bensalem Pa. until the present for High Holidays as well as life cycle commitments. He currently serves on the board of the Federation of Atlantic and Cape May Counties and is the chairman of the Jewish Community Relations Council.
Cantor Wolbransky is married to Natalyn, a former Abington School District reading specialist. They have two married children, Lance and Jacqueline, and three grandchildren, Isabella, Brennan, and Ayla.
Rabbi Gordon L. Geller, D.D., J.D.
Reform Rabbi Emeritus
tesrabbi@verizon.net
rabbi.geller@shirathayamnj.org
Phone (609) 822-7116 x118
In his 29 year pulpit tenure, Dr. Gordon Geller is 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 earning 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).
Since 1988, Rabbi Geller has been visiting Professor of Jewish Studies at Richard Stockton University, where he has 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 has served on the National CCAR (Central Conference of American Rabbis) Select Committees on Israel. He has been a local member of Masons, Rotary and Avodah Club; national memberships include American Jewish Congress, ADL, ACLU and ARZA (American Reform Zionists).
His lifelong soul mate is Elaine. Their precious children are Clare, Eliot and Marc, and are blessed with 7 grand-babies.
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.