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Clergy and Staff
Rabbi Ken Stern
In a relatively short period of time Rabbi Kenneth Stern has made a decisive impact on our Congregation and many of its members.
He masterfully conducts our Shabbat and High Holiday services, whereby students and congregants share learning experiences. He initiated our Shul-and-School programs, and continues to emphasize that we are an intergenerational/transgenerational community. Rabbi Stern has proven himself to be a superb and enthusiastic teacher in class, during services—both in his sermons and at the monthly G.P.S. (Guided Prayer Services)—and with our b’nai mitzvah families. He possesses a tremendous breadth of Judaic knowledge.
Whether comforting the bereaved, visiting the sick, reaching out to members both here and in Florida, and welcoming new faces to the Synagogue we have benefited from his warm, outgoing personality and informal style.
Rabbi Stern’s efforts to improve the synagogue have led to many improvements including enabling our Hebrew School classrooms and hallways to receive a much-needed facelift.
Rabbi Stern has a passion for people, Judaism and Israel, and for teaching and transmitting our tradition.
Rabbi Stern works with/leads a collaborative team of synagogue professionals and lay leaders and congregants resulting in a meaningful caring and warm atmosphere.
Cantor Paul Zim
Cantor Paul Zim's name and talent are well-recognized. For more than 15 years, he has been the “Cantorial Superstar” of Congregation Gesher Shalom, the Jewish Community Center of Fort Lee.
He is one of the most prominent and respected Cantors in the Jewish world today as well as an award winning recording artist and composer.
As a pioneer in Jewish music, he has toured the world, receiving international acclaim for his glorious voice and charismatic personality. Specifically he has shared the stage with personalities such as Paul Anka, Jackie Mason, Freddie Roman, and others. Cantor Zim has recorded over 25 best-selling CD’s most of which are for children.
He appeared in Ira Levin’s Off Broadway play Cantorial, in which his voice was used as the ghost cantor. Among his film appearances, he appeared as the cantor in Sidney Lumet’s A Stranger Among Us, starring Melanie Griffith. His rich tenor voice was also featured in Abby Mann’s film War and Love, depicting the Warsaw Ghetto uprising. His goal is to educate, and inform his congregants and audiences about the importance of keeping Jewish music alive for future generations.
To hear Paul Zim once, is to remember him always!
Cory Chargo, Director of Education
Cory Chargo has only been with Congregation Gesher Shalom since July, 2009, but he is no stranger to Jewish Education. He has been involved in synagogue education for over 30 years teaching Hebrew, administrating a plethora of creative programs, and supervising teachers. In addition, Cory has served as Head of School and principal in three Jewish Day Schools throughout the country, as well as a B’nai B’rith Youth Organization Regional Director specializing in non-formal Jewish education. Cory is also a social worker and specialized in clinical work with children, adolescents and their families. Cory has written several Jewish short stories, developed a sophisticated Jewish ethics curriculum for children, which he has presented at Jewish Day School workshops, and is considered an expert in Hebrew Language acquisition. Cory brings to Congregation Gesher Shalom a love of children, a passion for Jewish education, and a solid work ethic.
Alan Herschenfeld, Ritual Director
Alan Herschenfeld grew up attending Shabbat services alternating between three different synagogues with which his family was affiliated. This experience made him very aware of the diversity and nuance Jewish prayer and liturgy. Over the years, he has prepared hundreds of students for their B'nai Mitzvah celebrations. Alan has been teaching our B'nai Mitzvah students for the past 10 years. He also continues to work with our B'nai Mitzvah students after their important ceremonies, ever encouraging them to maintain and expand the skills that they have worked so hard to acquire in chanting our sacred texts. Each new student brings to their joint endeavor a unique set of talents and strengths. Alan finds considerable joy in discovering these. Alan looks forward to working with your children in order to create a meaningful B’nai Mitzvah experience. In addition to training our B’nai Mitzvah students, as Ritual Director, Alan serves as our Torah reader throughout the year among other related responsibilities.
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This Week at CGS
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Meet Rabbi Stern
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