Staff Directory
Rabbi Alvin Marcus
- Rabbi Emeritus
- [O] 973-736-1407 x211
- Email: marcusland@aol.com
- Rabbi Alvin M. Marcus received his S’micha from the Rabbi Isaac Elchanon Theological Seminary of Yeshiva University in June 1952 and received a Doctorate of Divinity degree from Yeshiva University in 1983. Rabbi Marcus served as the spiritual leader of the Orthodox Congregation Ahawas Achim B’nai Jacob & David in West Orange, New Jersey from September 1968 to early 1998, when he became Rabbi Emeritus. Rabbi Marcus was president of the Rabbinical Council of New Jersey and a past president of the Council of Orthodox Rabbis of Metropolitan New Jersey. He was Co-Chairman of the Rabbinic Division of the United Jewish Appeal Campaign of the Jewish Community Federation of Metropolitan New Jersey. He has also been active in the affairs of the Rabbinic Alumni of Yeshiva University, when he served as a President. He served as Chairman of the Education Commission of the Rabbinical Council of America. In Metropolitan New Jersey, Rabbi Marcus was involved with the social agencies of the Jewish community. He was a member of the Board of Directors of Daughters of Israel and was active on several committees of the agency concerned with the aged. He served on the Board of Federation. He was co-chairman of the V’aad HaKashrus of Metrowest of New Jersey. He is also on the Board of the Joseph Kushner Hebrew Academy and was Chairman of its Board of Education. He is also co-president of the Joint Chaplaincy Commission. He is also administrator of the Kukin Society of Fellows.
Rabbi Eliezer Zwickler
- Senior Rabbi
- [O] 973-736-1407 x221
- [C] 973-975-7248
- Email: ezwickler@gmail.com
- Rabbi Zwickler received Rabbinic ordination from the Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary of Yeshiva University and earned a Bachelors Degree in History from Yeshiva College. He also holds a Masters Degree in Social Work from the Yeshiva University Wurzweiler School of Social Work as well as Masters Degree in Secondary Jewish Education from the Azrielli Graduate School of Yeshiva University. Rabbi Zwickler previously taught Special Education for 5 years at the PTACH program at Yeshiva University High School while serving as Assistant Rabbi of Congregation AABJ&D. Rabbi Zwickler serves on the Executive Committee of the Joseph Kushner Hebrew Academy & Rae Kushner Yeshiva High School, in Livingston, NJ, is co-president of the Va’ad Hakashrus of Metrowest and a member of the Board of Trustees of the UJC of Metrowest.. He also was a member of the Executive Committee of the Rabbinic Council of America.
Rabbi Michael Bleicher
- Assistant Rabbi
- [O] 973-736-1407 x216
- [C] 917-803-0381
- Email: mmbleicher@gmail.com
- Rabbi Michael Bleicher grew up in Staten Island, NY and studied at Yeshiva Torah MiTzion in Kew Gardens Hills, Queens while pursuing a bachelor’s degree in political science at Queens College. While in college he dedicated much of his free time to helping individuals with special needs by working at Bais Ezra, Camp HASC and Yachad. Upon his graduation, he served as the first Legislative Fellow for the Orthodox Union’s Institute for Public Affairs in Washington, D.C., where he advocated passionately on behalf of the Orthodox Jewish community and the State of Israel in our nation’s capital. Upon the conclusion of his fellowship, he was hired as Staff Assistant to Senator Rick Santorum (R-PA) and as the Deputy Jewish Liaison on his re-election campaign. Shortly thereafter, he served as a research analyst on Rudy Giuliani’s presidential campaign; an opportunity to return home to New York. Following his stint in the national political arena, he enrolled at Yeshiva University’s Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary (RIETS), where he studied in the Katz Kollel, and was trained as a Ner L’Elef Outreach Fellow. Additionally, he was an educator at New York University’s Jewish Learning Fellowship, participated in the AskOU Kashrut Training Program, and in a variety of Yeshiva University’s communal enrichment initiatives. In addition to his rabbinic ordination from RIETS, Rabbi Bleicher also has a Certificate in Social Work from Yeshiva University’s Wurzweiler School of Social Work. For the past two years, Rabbi Bleicher has served as the rabbinic intern at the Great Neck Synagogue in Great Neck, NY. Rabbi Bleicher and his wife, Yael (Butler) Bleicher, are the proud parents of their daughter, Meira
Rabbi Yosef Sharbat
- Sephardic Assistant Rabbi
- Email: ysharbat@gmail.com
- Originally from Queens, NY, Rabbi Yosef Sharbat graduated with honors and received a bachelor’s degree in Jewish Philosophy from Yeshiva University. He was the recipient of The Rabbi Judah Feinerman Memorial Award for Excellence in Talmud and the Maybaum Sephardic Fellowship. He received Semicha from Rabbi Eliayhu Ben-Haim (Sephardic Rosh Yeshiva at Yeshiva University’s Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary) and was his assistant for three years. Rabbi Sharbat teaches Chumash and Gemara at Yeshiva University High School (MTA) and at the same time completing his Master’s Degree in Jewish Education from the Azrieli Graduate School of Yeshiva University. Last year, Rabbi Sharbat was an intern at Congregation Beth Shalom in Lawrence, NY, where he served as the rabbi of the Sephardic minyan. His wife, Batya, teaches sixth grade at SAR in Bronx, NY. They are proud parents of Yael and Moshe.
Anne Goldberg
- Executive Director
- [O] 973-736-1407 x214
- Email: cong.aabjd@verizon.net
- A native of Quebec, Anne lived on the Canadian West Coast for 23 years, where she earned a degree in Business Administration, a Certificate in Fundraising Management and raised her family. Prior to coming to AABJ&D as the Executive Director in 1998, Anne was the Executive Director of Congregation Schara Tzedeck in Vancouver, BC.
Michele Glazer
- Early Childhood Director
- [O] 973-736-1407 x215
- Email: aabjdnurseryschool@gmail.com
- Born and raised in Passaic, NJ, Michele Glazer moved to West Orange in 1977 with her husband David. Here she raised three children, all alumnae of the AABJ&D Nursery School. Michele graduated magna cum laude from Kean College, receiving a BA in Early Childhood Education and NJ certification. She taught public school in East Orange for 13 years: 7 years teaching kindergarten and 6 years teaching in the State's Basic Skills Improvement Program working with small groups of children grades K-12. Michele also gave ballet instruction in her home for 10 years. Michele began teaching in the Nursery School in 1990, and has served as the director since 1998. Her passions include ballet, music, her grandchildren and of course the Nursery School children!
Chanie Kirschner
- Youth Director
- Email: aabjdyouth@gmail.com
- Originally from Atlanta, GA, Chanie Kirschner received a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism from Stern College for Women in 2001. She also holds a Masters in Jewish Education from the Azrieli School of Education and Administration at Yeshiva University. She has taught elementary school for five years and has served as Director of Student Activities at both JKHA and Yeshivat Noam. Additionally, she also served as the Admissions Event Manager for Yeshiva University, where she managed such events as the Red Sarachek Basketball tournament and the Yeshiva University National Model United Nations. Chanie, her husband Menachem, and their son Jakie live next door to the shul, so stop by and say hello!
Karen Frank
- Senior Care Nurse
- [C] 862-485-9062
- Email: nursekarenfrank@gmail.com
- Karen Frank, R.N., is our Senior Care Congregational Nurse. Her work integrates physical and spiritual health. Karen holds degrees in psychology from the University of Michigan and nursing from Oakland University. She is also a certified Jewish Spiritual Director. To read more about Karen's services, visit our Together on Tuesday page.
Dina Niewood
- Social Worker
- Email: aabjdsocialworker@gmail.com
- Dina Niewood is a New Jersey state licensed social worker. She received her Masters in Social Work from the University of Pennsylvania. Dina also holds a Family Therapy certificate from the Ackerman Institute for the Family. She has several years experience providing counseling to clients of all ages. In addition to her professional experience, Dina has spent time living in Israel.
