Rabbi Kenneth Greene
Phone: (732) 462-0254
E-Mail:
rabbi@freeholdjc.org
Rabbi Kenneth Greene came to Freehold Jewish
Center in August of 1997. Born in the Boston area, Rabbi Greene attended
Brandeis University where he received his B.A. in Near Eastern and Judaic
Studies.
Rabbi Greene earned his first rabbinical degree in 1973 from the Jewish
Theological Seminary of America. He began his career in the pulpit rabbinate
after ordination in Windsor, Connecticut. Making education a priority in his
rabbinate, four years later he moved to Newington, Connecticut during which
time he received a Master's Degree in Education from Central Connecticut
State University in Curriculum, Administration and Supervision. During the
ten years that Rabbi Greene and his wife, Karen, lived in Connecticut, their
family grew with the addition of sons, Avi, Ephraim, and Hillel.
Moving to the mid-West, Rabbi Greene served Shaare Zedek Synagogue in St.
Louis, Missouri for twelve years. In addition to his involvement in the
local Jewish Federation and community Day-Schools, he was the first rabbi in
the area to innovate Family education programs. Growing out of his expertise
in education, he obtained a certificate in Marriage and Family Therapy from
the George Warren Brown School of Social Work of Washington University and
later a Master's Degree in Counseling from St. Louis University. In the
effort to expand programs in his congregation, he was admitted to the Doctor
of Jewish Studies Program of Spertus College, Chicago, Illinois.
Rabbi Greene left the pulpit rabbinate for two years during which time all
of his efforts were focused on education by serving as the Director of the
Bureau of Jewish Education in New Orleans. During this time, he established
the New Orleans Jewish Day School, the Jewish Educator's Council, and the
first community wide, Adult Education Program spanning all movements in
Judaism.
Returning to the pulpit, Rabbi Greene has been the spiritual leader of
Freehold Jewish Center for ten years, introducing educational and ritual
programs for all ages of the congregation. In recognition of the
congregation's traditional ritual posture, he received Orthodox ordination
from the Institute of Traditional Judaism in 2004.
While pleased with his accomplishments both within and outside of the pulpit
rabbinate, he is most proud of his family, Rabbi & Mrs. Avi Greene, Elisheva
& Shoshana; Rabbi & Mrs. Ephraim Greene, Rifka & Rena, and Hillel Greene,
who works for the Federal court system.
Cantor David B. Katchen
Phone:
(732) 462-0254
E-Mail: cantor@freeholdjc.org
A native of Brooklyn, New York, Cantor David B. Katchen has been the Cantor of our Congregation since August. Cantor Katchen, a descendant of Cantors and pious Torah scholars, was influenced at an early age by his father, Cantor Jacob Katchen, and his mother, an accomplished pianist. Steeped in the heritage and aura of Yiddishkeit, he was grateful for the Yiddish spoken to him by his maternal grandmother, the Torah and Haftarah teachings of his paternal grandmother, and the beautiful “Niggunim” (melodies) and nostalgic recollections imparted to him by his paternal grandfather, who sat at his dining room table wearing a Hamburg (hat) while studying. Occasionally, members of the family would recall the legacy of his great-grandfather, after whom Cantor Katchen is named - a distinguished gentleman - extremely pious - who not only sported a virgin beard but also refrained from conversation on Shabbat.
Cantor Katchen received an early indoctrination into the vast spectrum of Hazzanut (artistry of Cantorial chant) from his late father who taught him by example, shared with him many of the famous recordings of great Cantors, and instructed him in the traditional Nusah HaT’filah (prescribed modes of prayer) as well as Trup (Cantillations of the Tanach - Bible), well before his becoming a Bar Mitzvah. His mother, of blessed memory, was the one who saw to his piano playing, taking him to lessons and playing the selections he was practicing, to encourage his progress. Obviously, the Katchen home was ensconced in music and customs, perpetuating and sustaining traditions cherished for many generations.
Cantor Katchen was privileged to attend the world-renowned Yeshivah of Flatbush, receiving an education filled with dogmas of Modern Orthodoxy, the spirit of Israel, the essence of Judaica, and the thorough scope of Ivrit, the Hebrew language.
After attending, the University of Maryland, Cantor Katchen studied at the Cantorial School of the Jewish Theological Seminary receiving the Diploma of Hazzan and Bachelor of Sacred Music. Two of the Cantors whom he studied with were the late Cantor Max Wohlberg, the noted scholar of Nusah and Hazzanut, and the late Cantor David Kusevitsky, whose extraordinary artistry places him among the foremost of his generation.
It is understandable that Cantor Katchen has considered the synagogue his home away from home, as it has been so close to his heart, body and soul. Coincidentally, he has always lived close to his shul and lived across the street or later just around the corner from his father’s shul. Now, a resident of Philadelphia, it takes a bit longer.
Cantor Katchen has shared most of his career with his wife, Alice, and has taken pride in the accomplishments of their three children and five grandchildren.
Coming from serving Oxford Circle Jewish Community Centre-Brith Israel in Philadelphia for over twenty years and, most recently, Congregation Ahavat Shalom in Lakewood, Cantor Katchen continues to enjoy the pleasure and improvisation of standing on the Bimah, dovining and leading his congregation in the chants and melodies that have brought unity, strength, comfort, and exhilaration to the Jewish people for centuries.
Marvin Krakower, Executive
Director
Phone:
(732) 462-0254
E-Mail:
office@freeholdjc.org
Marvin Krakower
has been involved in Jewish education since 1973. He has worked as a youth
director and taught in Reform and Conservative Hebrew schools before
becoming a principal in 1980.
In January of 2000, Marvin was appointed Executive Director of Freehold
Jewish Center. Although he greatly enjoyed working as a principal in a high
school and helping young adults to grow, Marvin felt a need to channel his
efforts in the Jewish community at Freehold Jewish Center. He earned a
Master’s Degree in administration, and has worked hard for the past six
years in improving the building where our members come to pray and
socialize.
Marvin is married to Diane, and they have four children: Melissa, David,
Erica, and Jacob. Their daughter Melissa, her husband Ronen, and two
grandchildren, Aiden and Dor, live in Haifa, Israel.
Carole Kane, Secretary
Phone:
(732) 462-0254
E-Mail:
office@freeholdjc.org
Carole Kane brings a diverse and interesting
background to the synagogue. She spent seven years in the financial
industry, ten years in the medical field, and eight years in the building
and construction field. She has been an executive secretary, a hospital
department manager, a marriage counselor, a published author, and a master
water fitness instructor. She earned Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees along
the way, and is now enjoying the sweetest part of her career – the Freehold
Jewish Center family.
Carole has a large and close-knit family – three children and their spouses,
nine grandchildren, three sisters and a brother (The Prince). She lives in
Freehold with her completely spoiled collie, Crystal Beauty.
Rachelle Lederman, Bookkeeper
Phone:
(732) 462-0254
E-Mail:
bookkeeper@freeholdjc.org
Rachelle Lederman and
her family have been members of the Synagogue for the last 15 years. She is
a member of the Executive Board and a past president of our wonderful
congregation. This year, Rachelle has become a member of the office staff
and looks forward to working with all of you. She is now in charge of
bookkeeping, which was her profession before children and the other
responsibilities that come along with a family.
Nothing makes Rachelle happier than coming to our beautiful building, so for
her this job is perfect.