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Rabbi Michael Perice

Rabbi Perice is beyond blessed to be serving as rabbi of Temple Sinai of Cinnaminson. He believes in creating thriving communities based of the Jewish values of Kavod— respect, Chesed— caring, Achrayut— responsibility, and Kehillah— community.

In 2015, Rabbi Perice was named one of the top 20 emerging leaders in the Southern New Jersey region for his rabbinic work. He is also a noted orator, having delivered the opening invocation at the Pennsylvania House of Representatives and at Philadelphia’s 17th annual Mayor’s Centenarians’ Celebration.

Prior to Temple Sinai, Rabbi Perice served as the student rabbi at Congregation Beth Tikvah, Lions Gate Continuing Care Community, and Hillel at Temple University. He completed a unit of clinical pastoral education at Einstein Medical Center, where he served as a per diem chaplain during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Rabbi Perice was born and raised in Cherry Hill, N.J. From a young age, Rabbi Perice worked at his family’s funeral home, Goldsteins’ Rosenberg’s Raphael-Sacks in Philadelphia, where he learned the values of community, public service and compassion. He earned his bachelor’s degree in political science and history from Temple University.

He and his wife Rachael are filled with gratitude and joy at the prospect of starting a family in their beloved South Jersey. They hope to become a part of their congregants' lives, and to have their congregants become a part of theirs.

 

Rabbi Steven N. Fineblum, Rabbi Emeritus

Rabbi Steven, Barbara and their three children, Josh, Rachel and Seth, came to the community in 1985. 30 years later, Josh is married to Andrea and they have Jonah; Rachel and Brian’s sons are Daniel and Jacob; and Seth is with Colleen.

“Judaism has been an awesome experience for me. Here, at Temple Sinai we have shared breathtaking moments of caring, sharing, study, dreaming and worship. Temple Sinai is the place to begin and continue one’s search to become the best Jew we each can become in a supportive, user friendly, contemporary and, most importantly, Heymish environment.”

Steven Fineblum graduated from the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College in 1976. Presently, Rabbi Fineblum is an active member of the Tri-county Board of Rabbis of Southern NJ, where he has held the offices of President, Vice President and Secretary/Treasurer. After being on the Board and Membership Committee, he has been Vice President and most recently served on the Executive Committee of the Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association as Treasurer. He holds memberships in the Philadelphia Board of Rabbis and the New York Board of Rabbis as well.

Rabbi Fineblum earned his Master’s Degree in Education from Temple University in 1975 and holds a Certificate in Chaplaincy from Gratz College under the auspices of the Board of Rabbis of Greater Philadelphia, the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College and Einstein Hospital. In June 2001, he received an honorary Doctor of Divinity Degree from the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College. Rabbi Fineblum can be contacted at the Synagogue at 856-829-0658 or by e-mail at rabbifineblum@verizon.net.

“I cannot believe that we have been here for three decades. Where has the time gone! I have cherished our family's associate with Temple Sinai and will be very sad to step down as its Rabbinic presence. This is a wonderful community. Barbara and I look forward to all of the possibilities of retirement beginning July 2015.”

 

Cantor Liat Pelman-Forst

Cantor Liat Pelman-Forst came to Temple Sinai in 2006 as our cantor for the High Holidays. "It was love at first sight," said Cantor Liat. "I felt the congregation's wonderful energy, warmth and inspiration. Working together with Rabbi Fineblum was a blessing and an honor. Seeing so many children of different ages was most rewarding and promising".

Cantor Liat was born in Moldova, part of the former Soviet Union. As a teenager, together with her family, she made Aliyah to Israel. Thirteen years later she came to New York City.

Prior to Aliyah to Israel, Liat attended the State College for Music Teachers in Moldova for four years, majoring in piano and voice. She received her Bachelors Degree in music education from Midrasha L'Morey Musika in Tel-Aviv, Israel. In 2006 Liat was ordained a Cantor by the Academy for Jewish Religion in Riverdale, NY.

Liat's professional experience included teaching music and performing as a lead vocal artist of an internationally known musical ensemble. In the Jewish community Cantor Pelman-Forst worked as a Cantor, Choir Director and Hebrew School teacher. All of the varied experiences and cultures of her life's journey have contributed to Liat's development as a person and a Cantor.

During Liat's cantorial ordination her presenter, Dr. Ora Horn Prouser, Executive Vice President of the Academy for Jewish Religion, said: "When Liat leads congregation in prayer, there is a palpable sense of awe, as she states her case before G-d. Her delight and pleasure are in clear evidence when she leads people in joyful prayers of hope and thanks. The beauty of Liat's davenning is not just in her strong and engaging voice, but also in her ability to project the meaning of the liturgy through her entire being. The experience is extraordinary and fulfilling."

 

Marcia Blacker - School Administrator

Marcia Blacker has been administrator of the Religious School since the summer of 2003. Marcia and her husband, Alan, live in Cinnaminson and have been longtime congregational members. She has served as Sisterhood President, and Synagogue President.

An Educator since 1964 in the Philadelphia Public School System as well as Cinnaminson Schools until finding her place at Kellman Academy where she spent 28 years as a phys ed teacher and student activities director. One of the Founding Members of our Temple Sinai Nursery School in 1970 and served for many years as director. Taught in the Hebrew High School for over 10 years and has been Educational Administrator for 12 years.  She can be reached at 856 829-1940.

 

Amy Engle - Office Secretary

Amy is the person who keeps the Synagogue office organized. She is your key contact when calling the office and will help you find the information you need or the proper contact. Amy, her husband Bruce, and their two sons Douglas and Justin live in Cinnaminson and have been members of the Temple since 1997. Amy can be reached on 856 829-0658 or TempleSinaiNJ2101@gmail.com.

 

Officers and Board