Community Update

June 1, 2014 Has Been Declared Dr. Brooks R. Susman, Rabbi Day In Freehold Township, New Jersey

Contact: Marc D. LeVine
Board Member / Communications Chair
stffgpr2003@yahoo.com


The celebration of the 40th anniversary of Dr. Brooks R. Susman’s ordination as a rabbi was held Saturday, May 31, 2014 after a beautiful Havdalah service with Congregation Kol Am (www.congregationkolam.org).


In honor of the rabbi, that day was officially declared Freehold Township’s “Rabbi Brooks Susman Day”. The proclamation was presented by members of the Freehold Township Committee Anthony Ammiano, Barbara McMorrow and Gene Golub.


Rabbi Susman has selflessly been devoted to helping others as a community chaplain, and has been a volunteer on the Freehold Township Human Relations Council since January of 2001.


Rabbi Susman earned Ordination from the Hebrew Union College, Jewish Institute of Religion in 1974. In 1999, he received a Doctor of Divinity degree from his Alma Mater. He is the founding rabbi of Congregation Kol Am and the author of their Siddur (prayer book) T’filat Kol Am. The rabbi is also a founding member of the Jewish Museum of Monmouth County.


The Havdalah service included beautiful voices of several choir members Judi Thaw, Victoria Shernicoff and Dr. David Lederman. The event took place at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Fred Eckhaus of Marlboro on their beautiful back yard deck. In attendance were congregants, long time friends, dignitaries and Andrea Susman, Dr. Susman’s wife, who the rabbi admitted is his “personal rabbi.” The rabbi’s official rabbi, Rabbi Cy Stanway of Temple Beth Miriam in Elberton, NJ, spoke humorously and a little bit seriously about his longtime dear friend Brooks.


High school senior Matthew Yucht spoke on behalf of the students at the congregation.


His presentation enlightened all in attendance as to the high level of respect and affection students at Congregation Kol Am have for their rabbi and mentor.


Fred Eckhaus, president of Congregation Kol Am, coordinated the event with his wife Diana, committee members Dolores Thaw, Arlene Golub, Susan Canter and Rhoda Yucht.


Attached photo by: Allan Goldberg, Coachman Studios


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Congregation Kol Am (www.congregationkolam.org) - a Reform Jewish congregation, established in 2001, serving the greater Freehold area -- reaches out to Howell, Lakewood, Jackson, Manalapan, Marlboro and beyond in all directions.


We have built a congregation that is true to its name: Voice of the People. Our members are fully involved in the life of the congregation -- we are friendly, welcoming, concerned about our community and each other. Education, for children and adults alike, is at the core of our being, and we take pride in having a spiritual leader - Rabbi Brooks R. Susman - who also leads our congregants in our quest to gain greater knowledge about our Jewish values, our history and our place in the larger world.