Jewish center's rabbi, cantor to be installed

MARLBORO - Under the theme Hazak hazak v'nithazek ("Be strong, be strong, and let us strengthen each other"), Congregation Ohev Shalom, the Marlboro Jewish Center, will be formally installing Rabbi Toni Shy and Cantor Wayne Krieger as the congregation's new spiritual leaders.

The installation program will be held on June 20 when the congregation and guests will join together for a Shabbat (Sabbath) dinner, followed by Shabbat services. Special activities are planned throughout the evening.

With close to 800 households as members, and with the area's largest private preschool, Ohev Shalom is the largest congregation in central New Jersey and also one of the largest Conservative congregations in the country, according to a press release.

Shy and Krieger joined the congregation in the fall.

Bob Salman, past president and installation co-chair, said, "This is a historic moment for the congregation at which we wish to capture our hopes, dreams and feelings for the congregation, for the clergy and for the future. We have put together a program that reflects the vibrancy, diversity and history of the congregation.

"The program will include greetings from Gov. Jon Corzine, Mayor Jonathan Hornik and other governmental dignitaries, but no less important will be the presence of our next generation, including my grandchildren. Many of our families have been here for years and are happy to be joined by the next generation in our community."

The program will feature families of new members, past presidents, special musical arrangements, remarks by the clergy's family members, teen/youth group leaders, representatives from the congregation's Arms (Sisterhood), the current bar/bat mitzvah class, a special preschool choir and more.

Executive Director Bonnie Komito said, "At the end of reading a book of the Torah, the congregation rises and proclaims 'Hazak hazak v'nithazek.' It is a custom that shows the congregation's hope for the next chapter to begin, for a recognition of how the Torah and the community are a source of strength that allows them to positively move forward with the benefit of what has already been learned and experienced."

Dinner is scheduled to begin at 6:30 p.m. and services are slated to begin at 7:45 p.m.

A celebratory dessert will follow the services.

To participate in the evening, RSVPs can be made by calling Patty at 732-536- 2300, ext. 100.