Joe Bloomfield, Volunteer of the Year, also known as “Mr. Goodbar” and “Temple Bartender” has been a TBEMC member and volunteer for almost 30 years. Joe enjoys coming to Minyan and Shabbat morning services. He handles all commemorative plaques for the temple and takes great pride in knowing everyone personally. In his free time, Joe loves to play the guitar and harmonica. He is often heard playing his guitar or serenading the office with his harmonica.
“I enjoy coming into the office and the people here. They are all characters. I like working with the Rabbi, Susan, and Phil. If it were not for Covid-19 and my arthritic knees, I’d be out playing golf!” Joe devoted his 34-year career to the railroad.
“I enjoy coming into the office and the people here. They are all characters. I like working with the Rabbi, Susan, and Phil. If it were not for Covid-19 and my arthritic knees, I’d be out playing golf!” Joe devoted his 34-year career to the railroad.
Phil Stein, Volunteer of the Year, has been a member of TBEMC for almost 40 years. He is TBEMC’s “Ritual Volunteer” extraordinaire, tending to our Torahs with loving care. He also ensures the Siddurim are ready for Shabbat and holidays.
After 34 years of working for the IRS, Phil retired and decided to devote his time to TBEMC. “The people at TBEMC are warm, and they open up their hearts to you and make you feel like you’re important. I get a lot of satisfaction with taking care of the Yahrzeit lights Friday morning as well. I like doing my thing for the temple.”
After 34 years of working for the IRS, Phil retired and decided to devote his time to TBEMC. “The people at TBEMC are warm, and they open up their hearts to you and make you feel like you’re important. I get a lot of satisfaction with taking care of the Yahrzeit lights Friday morning as well. I like doing my thing for the temple.”
Bruce Solomon, Past President’s Award, is a Jersey boy, born and raised in Jersey City. He has worked as an all-night disc jockey, co-authored 7 books, and worked as the General Counsel of the New Jersey Institute of Technology. Moving to Cranford in 1986 with his bride, Rhondi, they joined TBEMC, sent their children to the TBEMC Nursery School, and became very active in Temple life. Bruce has been a volunteer extraordinaire at TBEMC, becoming Temple President in 2005. He is known for his wit and puns, coining the slogan “Warm Place, Cool Shul”. Through more than a quarter century of laughter and tears, triumphs and losses, Bruce and Rhondi appreciate more than ever that the members of the Temple are more than their friends, they are their family, and that TBEMC is far more than bricks and mortar, it is our community and their second home.
Bruce Solomon, Past President’s Award, is a Jersey boy, born and raised in Jersey City. He has worked as an all-night disc jockey, co-authored 7 books, and worked as the General Counsel of the New Jersey Institute of Technology. Moving to Cranford in 1986 with his bride, Rhondi, they joined TBEMC, sent their children to the TBEMC Nursery School, and became very active in Temple life. Bruce has been a volunteer extraordinaire at TBEMC, becoming Temple President in 2005. He is known for his wit and puns, coining the slogan “Warm Place, Cool Shul”. Through more than a quarter century of laughter and tears, triumphs and losses, Bruce and Rhondi appreciate more than ever that the members of the Temple are more than their friends, they are their family, and that TBEMC is far more than bricks and mortar, it is our community and their second home.
Jessica Suckerman, Young Leadership Award, lives in Cranford with her husband, Dan, children, Eli (9) and Ruby (4 1/2), and dogs, Sophy and Maisy. She led our successful Bagels and Babies program for two years, and she co-chaired Trivia Night 2020 — our top fundraiser of the year.
Jessica is currently the chairperson of our membership committee, which has needed a complete reimaging in a primarily-remote environment over the past year. She has served and continues to serve on various other ad hoc committees at TBEMC.
Jessica is currently the chairperson of our membership committee, which has needed a complete reimaging in a primarily-remote environment over the past year. She has served and continues to serve on various other ad hoc committees at TBEMC.
Linda Ershow-Levenberg and David Levenberg, Tikkun Olam Award, are natives of New Jersey and have been members of TBEMC for 35 years. Both Linda and David have served the synagogue and the community as volunteers in various capacities. In 2008 Linda and David were recognized by Jewish Family Service of Central NJ with the Ruth Bilenker award for community service; and in 2013 they were recognized by the YM-YWHA of Union County with the Community Leadership award.
Linda is an accomplished and well-recognized Elder Law Attorney at Fink Rosner Ershow-Levenberg, LLC in Clark. David is retired from a career as an internationally recognized expert in Anti-Money Laundering.
Linda is an accomplished and well-recognized Elder Law Attorney at Fink Rosner Ershow-Levenberg, LLC in Clark. David is retired from a career as an internationally recognized expert in Anti-Money Laundering.
