Rabbi Shull, a native of Philadelphia PA, was ordained in 1986 by the Jewish Theological Seminary of America. He received his undergraduate degree from the University of Virginia in 1980. Following his ordination from rabbinical school, he received a Masters in Social Work from Columbia University.
With his background in social work, Rabbi Shull believes in promoting congregational programs that bring together congregants to support one another through critical lifecycle moments, both happy and sad. He also believes strongly that the synagogue, in addition to being a spiritual home, should also be a "spiritual home depot" providing families, couples and singles the tools and information to build their own Jewish homes.
Rabbi Shull is a vocal advocate for Israel and looks forward to leading congregational trips to Israel.
Rabbi Shull is married to Dr. Stacy Lang. Together they have five children; Orli, Nathaniel, Daphna, Zachary, and Micah. As a father of five, Rabbi Shull also believes that the synagogue should be a "family-friendly" place.
Rabbi Shull looks forward to meeting you. Rabbi Shull is available for individual meetings during the week. Kindly call the office to set up an appointment.
Mark J. Biddelman Cantor, Chazzan
Mark Biddelman has led Temple Emanuel in prayer, song and study for 43 years.
A New Jersey native, he has been conducting services and singing for Jewish organizations since the age of seven. He attended Carnegie Institute of Technology and is a graduate of the Hebrew Union College Jewish Institute of Religion School of Sacred Music from which he received his Investiture, Cantorial Certification and Bachelor of Sacred Music degree. The college also awarded him the degree of Doctor of Music honorous causum. Cantor Biddelman is certified as a Hebrew school and music teacher by the Union of American Hebrew Congregations and the New York Federation of Synagogues.
Throughout the years, Cantor Biddelman has been a musical innovator and has composed numerous musical settings for the Shabbat prayers. In 1971 he composed the first folk-rock service for Shabbat Eve ever to be performed in a Conservative synagogue. Music from this service has become part of the contemporary Jewish Synagogue liturgical repertoire and is being sung in synagogues throughout the U.S. and Canada. In 1991 he composed another setting for the Friday eve service scored for electronic instruments. In addition, he has written other original compositions of Jewish content and his settings of the Bar/Bat Mitzvah blessings were published in the official Life Cycle Handbook of the American Conference of Cantors.
Cantor Biddelman has appeared as guest cantor at congregations throughout the metropolitan area, conducted services in Israel and appeared on radio and TV. He has also been the recipient of several awards including B'nai B'rith Man of the Year in 1990 and the Israel Bonds Sh'ma Yisrael Award in 1988. In 1994 he was inducted as an honorary Fellow of the Jewish Theological Seminary. He is a past Executive Vice President, President, Vice President and Secretary of the New Jersey region of the Cantors Assembly, and has served as a conductor of the New Jersey Cantors Choral Ensemble, the world's very first choir of both men and women cantors.
During his tenure at Temple Emanuel, Cantor Biddelman has prepared over 2,000 youngsters for Bar and Bat Mitzvah and prepared dozens of children and adults to conduct daily and High Holiday services. He continues to present concerts and programs and conducts services for senior citizens at facilities throughout northern New Jersey. Cantor Biddelman and his wife Bette, a craftswoman, are active members of the Jewish community and the community at large. His daughter Terra, also a craftswoman, and his grandson Elijah live in Austin, Texas.
Rabbi Shelley Kniaz Director of Congregational Education
Rabbi Kniaz served as a writer and trainer for Project ETGAR, a curriculum for Conservative synagogue schools in use throughout the country. She also served as the Assistant Director of the United Synagogue Department of Education, creating exciting and innovative programs for synagogues and Solomon Schechter Day Schools throughout North America. Rabbi Kniaz was the Education Director of the Conservative Synagogue School of the Society for the Advancement of Judaism in Manhattan, and has taught in both synagogues and Solomon Schechter Day Schools.
Rabbi Kniaz has a BA in Hebrew and Semitic Studies from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and received her Masters Degree and ordination from the Jewish Theological Seminary in New York City.
Richard Tannenbaum Executive Director
Richard Tannenbaum has served as Executive Director of the Jewish Center of Teaneckfor 16 years. Prior to assuming this position, he served as a member of the Board of Trustees and Vice President of the Jewish Center of Teaneck, where he and his wife Risa, Director of Early Childhood at Temple Sinai in Tenafly, have been members since moving to Teaneck 28 years ago.
Richard has been involved with Jewish non-profit organizations for more than 35 years. He worked as an advisor for NCSY, USY, Young Judea, and was the Regional Director of Young Israel for Youth Activities on Long Island. He has taught in Reform and Conservative Hebrew Schools. He has led tours to Israel for American Zionist Youth Foundation. Prior to becoming a Synagogue Executive Director, he was Vice President of Operations for Majestic International Knitwear, where he worked for 18 years. Richard graduated from Hofstra University after starting his college journey at Tel Aviv University.
He has three children of whom he is especially proud: Erica, a talent booker in the entertainment industry; Jessica, (married to Ezra Friedman,) a third-generation teacher; and Alicia, in her junior year at Rutgers University. Richard, a member of North American Association of Synagogue Executives (NAASE), served as both Treasurer and Vice President for the Metro NAASE and co-chaired their International Conference in March 2000 and again in March 2008. Locally, he has served on the Advisory Committee of Synagogue Leadership Initiative of UJA-NNJ.
Amy Fingeret Director of Early Childhood
Amy Fingeret is the Director of Early Childhood. Amy began her career in Early Childhood in 1991, working at a privately held nursery school and day camp. Amy brought her love of children and strong business background to the nursery school, which has been an established community icon for over 40 years. Most recently, Amy has worked for the JCC Metrowest in Whippany NJ as Site Director of the Early Childhood program. During Amy's tenure at the JCC, she served as an innovative senior member of their strategic management team, enhanced their early childhood programs, and significantly contributed to the growth of the Early Childhood program within the Jewish community of Metrowest. She also served as the Executive Director of a local non-profit Bilingual Nursery School program where her leadership skills enabled her to make significant program enhancements including creative fund raising that allowed for playground and program expansion. She loves working with young children and families, as well as bringing new and fresh ideas to staff and programs. She holds the belief for all children that "playing is learning." Amy has a BS in Marketing from Fairleigh Dickinson University and holds a Group Teacher Certificate from the State of NJ. Amy is a member of NAEYC and has held a variety of committee positions such as UJC Super Sunday, Morris County Advisory Committee, JCC College Fair and was chosen to participate in The Partnership for Jewish Learning and Life's Community of Practice. Amy lives in Randolph, NJ with her husband, two children and two dogs.
