Honorees at Clark Synagogue Awards Dinner Helping to “Heal the Ills of the World”

This press release was submitted by Temple Beth O'r/Beth Torah.

Recently Temple Beth O’r/ Beth Torah of Clark honored Dr. Margaret McMenamin, President of Union County College, and Dr. Sanford and Mrs. Arlene Fineman, founders of the “Yes, We Care Soup Kitchen” by presenting them with a L’Chaim (To Life) Award. Over 120 members of the Clark, Union County, and Beth O’r/Beth Torah community attended a lavish cocktail hour and meticulously catered dinner.

Dr. McMenamin is the first female President of Union County College, and is engaged in transforming its role from a local community college to a leader in 21st century academic excellence.  She is revitalizing student services, strengthening advising and counseling, partnering with faculty to improve teaching and learning, and engaging the entire campus community in the process of mission review to renew their collective commitment to student success. 

Dr. Sanford and Arlene Fineman are lifelong congregants of Temple Beth O’r/Beth Torah, and are also serious about giving back to the Union County community.  They have worked with dozens of volunteers as they have served thousands of meals to in-need Union County residents. During a presentation before the dinner Dr. Fineman took the attendees on a verbal whirlwind tour of the “Yes WE Care” Soup Kitchen, from its beginnings to its present commitment to help address the challenges of urban hunger.

Co-Chairs for the Dinner included Gary Horan, President and Chief Executive Officer of Trinitas Regional Medical Center, Kirk Tice, President and Chief Executive Officer of Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, Alan Lieber, President of Overlook Hospital, and Victor Richel, Board Chair of the Trinitas Regional Medical Center and President of the Richel Family Foundation.  Presentations of crystal teardrop awards were made by Lillian Makow, co-President of the Synagogue and Cantor Steven Stern.

Temple Beth O’r/Beth Torah shares the commitment of its honorees to “heal the ills of the world” in the Hebrew Tikun Olam.  Led by Spiritual Leader Cantor Steven Stern, the Congregation serves the Union County Jewish community, the Clark and Union County communities at large in providing religious, social, and cultural programming.  For more information on the Synagogue, please log onto www.bethorbethtorah.org, or call the office at 732-381-8403.