Our Rabbi
Menashe East – Senior Rabbi
A New Jersey native, Rabbi Menashe’s family instilled a love and reverence for Judaism. Rabbi Menashe was blessed to study Torah with his father and grandfather. Rabbi Menashe’s mother directed a Jewish Family Service in New Jersey. Commitment to the Jewish community and Jewish wisdom was part of Rabbi Menashe’s upbringing.
Following his upbringing in Elizabeth and Teaneck NJ, Rabbi Menashe studied at Yeshivat Shalaviim, beside young Israelis who would serve in the IDF. After Israel, Rabbi Menashe attended Yeshiva University, where he studied Torah, Literature and completed master’s level course work in Jewish thought.
Rabbi Menashe then attended Yeshivat Chovevei Torah (YCT), founded by Rabbi Avi Weiss. In YCT’s study hall, Rabbi Menashe was exposed to rigorous Torah scholarship, spirituality and an open mindedness to the breadth of Jewish thinking and people. Alongside his Rabbinical studies, Rabbi Menashe pursued an MSW at Wurzweiller School of social work.
After ordination, Rabbi Menashe and his wife Donna, moved to San Diego, CA to serve as the first spiritual leader of a fledgling synagogue, Kehillat Ahavat Yisrael (KAY). Rabbi Menashe helped KAY gain synagogue membership into the OU. KAY was the first YCT-led synagogue in the US to gain OU membership. Alongside his role as KAY's rabbi, Rabbi Menashe served on the Upper School Judaic studies faculty of San Diego’s community day school, the San Diego Jewish Academy.
While in SD, Rabbi Menashe was selected as a Fellow for the 3rd cohort of the prestigious Rabbinic Leadership Initiative at the Shalom Hartman Institute in Jerusalem. The program focused on pluralism within Judaism and Torah study with rabbis from across the Judaic spectrum.
In 2009, Rav Menashe was selected as the Spiritual Leader of the Mt. Freedom Jewish Center. He has become a valued member not only of the synagogue, but also of the greater Jewish and secular community. Rabbi Menashe completed his LSW and currently works as a part-time clinician and is completing his LCSW.
Rabbi Menashe’s greatest joy is his family. Rabbi Menashe and his wife, Donna, are blessed with five children – Ayala, Erez, Elisha, Alon and Ariel. Rabbi Menashe loves to play guitar and tries to play soccer with his kids.
Please contact Rabbi Menashe at the shul: (973) 895-2103 or via email: rabbi@mtfjc.org
Rabbi Menashe will meet you in shul, at your home, for coffee, on a bike ride, on FaceTime, Zoom or text…Most important is to reach out and Connect!
Upcoming Events
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Monday ,
AprApril 22 , 2024Pesach Chametz Sale Contract
Monday, Apr 22nd 2:00p to Tuesday, Apr 30th 11:59p
Contract to Sell Chametz for Pesach -
Saturday ,
AprApril 27 , 2024
Shabbat, Apr 27th 12:00p to 12:30p
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Thursday ,
MayMay 2 , 2024
Thursday, May 2nd (All day)
The College Student on Campus Outreach and Support activity is to communicate to our member families college students that they are not alone, MTFJC 'has their back'. Rabbi East will endeavor to communicate that and facilitate sharing, counselling and support sessions to re-enforce these messages and help them share, emotionally process and develop strategies to deal with current campus and classroom realities. This activity will start with an email from the Rabbi. Use the associated form to provided email information for your college student family member. -
Thursday ,
MayMay 9 , 2024
Thursday, May 9th (All day)
The College Student on Campus Outreach and Support activity is to communicate to our member families college students that they are not alone, MTFJC 'has their back'. Rabbi East will endeavor to communicate that and facilitate sharing, counselling and support sessions to re-enforce these messages and help them share, emotionally process and develop strategies to deal with current campus and classroom realities. This activity will start with an email from the Rabbi. Use the associated form to provided email information for your college student family member. -
Thursday ,
MayMay 16 , 2024
Thursday, May 16th (All day)
The College Student on Campus Outreach and Support activity is to communicate to our member families college students that they are not alone, MTFJC 'has their back'. Rabbi East will endeavor to communicate that and facilitate sharing, counselling and support sessions to re-enforce these messages and help them share, emotionally process and develop strategies to deal with current campus and classroom realities. This activity will start with an email from the Rabbi. Use the associated form to provided email information for your college student family member. -
Friday ,
MayMay 17 , 2024
Friday, May 17th 6:30p to 10:00p
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Saturday ,
MayMay 25 , 2024Shared Sponsored Kiddush - May
Shabbat, May 25th (All day)
Shared Congregational Kiddush for Birthdays and Milestone Occasions
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Sat, April 27 2024
19 Nisan 5784
Today's Sefirah Count Is 4
היום ארבעה ימים לעמר |
Today's Calendar
Chol Hamoed Pesach |
: 12:00am |
Shabbat Morning Services : 9:30am |
MTFJC Passover Spirits Tasting : 12:00pm |
Havdalah : 8:33pm |
Friday Night
Candle Lighting : 7:40pm |
Shabbat Day
Shabbat Morning Services : 9:30am |
Havdalah : 8:41pm |
Upcoming Programs & Events
Apr 22 |
Apr 27 MTFJC Passover Spirits Tasting Shabbat, Apr 27 12:00pm |
May 2 |
May 9 |
May 16 |
Candle Lighting
Shabbat, Apr 27, 7:33pm |
Havdalah
Motzei Shabbat, Apr 27, 8:33pm |
Chol Hamoed Pesach
Shabbat, Apr 27 |
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Zmanim
Alot Hashachar | 4:30am |
Earliest Tallit | 5:07am |
Netz (Sunrise) | 6:01am |
Latest Shema | 9:28am |
Zman Tefillah | 10:38am |
Chatzot (Midday) | 12:56pm |
Mincha Gedola | 1:31pm |
Mincha Ketana | 4:58pm |
Plag HaMincha | 6:25pm |
Shkiah (Sunset) | 7:51pm |
Havdalah | 8:33pm |
Tzeit Hakochavim | 8:36pm |
More >> |