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. He is a member of the Executive Committee of the Rabbinic Council of America and is the co-president of the Va’ad Hakashrus of Metrowest.
Rabbi Asher Klein
- Assistant Rabbi
- [O] 973-736-1407 x216
- Email: tomidbsimcha@yahoo.com
- Rabbi Asher Klein originally hails from Brooklyn, New York. He attended Yeshiva of Flatbush elementary school, Rambam Mesivta high school, and studied in Yeshivat Shaarei Mevaseret Zion in Israel. After completing a BS in Accounting from Yeshiva University, he obtained semicha while studying in Yeshiva University’s Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary and the Gruss Institute in Jerusalem. Rabbi Klein taught in the Moriah School and is currently a rebbe at Manhattan Day School, Yeshiva Ohr Torah. Rabbi Klein has been involved in kiruv and community outreach through the National Jewish Outreach Program, Yeshivat Torat Shraga, and the Springfield Learning Experience in Springfield, NJ. Rabbi Klein has also been involved with many bands, programs, and Jewish music personalities while playing his beloved guitar and drums. Rabbi Klein is joined in West Orange by his supportive team of his wife Jessica, a 4th year dental student at UMDNJ, and their sons Eli and Dani.
Rabbi Guy Dvir
- Associtate Rabbi of Sephardic Minyan
- [C] 347-524-9270
- Email: rabbidvrir@gmail.com
- Born in Israel and raised in California, Rabbi Dvir graduated from UCLA with a Bachelor degree in Philosophy. He then made aliyah where he received his smicha in 2005 from the Rishon Lezion (former chief rabbi of Israel) Rabbi Mordehai Eliyahoo. In 2006, Rabbi Dvir became the rabbi of the Persian Congregation at the Park East Synagogue in New York City, a position he held until recently. While in Israel he became very involved in Kiruv. His avocation for Jewish Outreach continues on American soil where he has been very involved with young professionals and college students in Manhattan for the past three years.
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!
Felice Blank
- TOT Seniors Program Coordinator
- [O] 973-736-1407 x240
- Email: Itzbo1@aol.com
- Raised in Newark, Felice moved to West Orange with her husband Herb in 1966. She has a BS in elementary education and speech therapy and worked in both areas. Having held various positions at AABJ&D over the years, when the Together on Tuesdays group was being formed, Felice was eager to serve as the coordinator. When she is not organizing programs for our seniors, Felice enjoys spending time with her children and grandchildren.
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.
