Congregation graduates largest class

MARLBORO - On May 4, Temple Rodeph Torah of Western Monmouth held a graduation ceremony for its grade 12 Hebrew High School students. The class of 20 students was the largest in the congregation's history.

Graduates were Samantha Breuer, Ariel Bucher, Jason Cherchia, Matthew Davis, Carlee Fishkin, Allyson Fuchs, Nicole Glasser, Scott Gleitman, Daniel Gross, Jeremy Joseph, Matthew Kamenitz, Scott Kaplin, Nicole Landesman, Brooke Mizrachi, Nyssa Schlem, David Silverman, Staci Spritzer, Marissa Wajngold, Eytan Stern Weber and Aimee Weiner.

According to a press release from the temple, this class of graduates is a dedicated group that has incorporated Jewish learning into their busy lives, creating lasting friendships, and building wonderful relationships with their rabbinic teachers.

Ruth Margolin, director of the Hebrew High School, said, "These students have gone above and beyond the basics; they have taken the next step, which is an admirable trait."

She presented the graduates with a graduation certificate and a "College Goody Bag."

When asked how they plan to incorporate Judaism into their college life, the students said they plan to join Hillel and Kesher groups, attend services, take Hebrew in college, spend a semester in Israel, and continue to celebrate holidays with family and friends.

The students all agreed that the best part of Hebrew High School was making lifelong Jewish friends. They also enjoyed sharing the experience with the students of Temple Shalom in Aberdeen, who have been with them since eighth grade.

Temple Rodeph Torah is a Reform congregation in Marlboro. Rabbi Don Weber and Cantor Jacquie Shuchat-Marx officiated at the graduation service.