The youngsters at Temple Beth Orr like to proudly proclaim, “Our rabbi’s Gross!” And while it’s understandable how Rabbi Mark Wm. Gross can at times be mistaken for the Pied Piper, the adult members of the congregation know that his level of scholarly learning makes him not only an approachable leader but an inspiring one as well.
With a strong sense of community, Rabbi Gross has been at the pulpit of Temple Beth Orr since 1986 and has used his position to create an inclusive atmosphere, forging partnerships to launch events like the citywide National Day of Prayer each May and the annual pre-Thanksgiving Interfaith Unity Service, to name just two of his innumerable far-reaching involvements.
Rabbi Gross’s goals have always been “to make members of the community feel listened to, cared about, connected to their tradition,” he says. Coming from a family of eighteen generations of rabbis enables him to “find deep meaning in the staggering privilege of bringing members of our people to encounters with their heritage of faith.”
Those encounters at Temple Beth Orr are as broad as they are welcoming: from the monthly Come-as-You-Are Shabbat Experience; to the Religious School’s emphasis on Confirmation as a primary goal; to contemporary alternative services for Rosh haShanah and Yom Kippur. These initiatives by Rabbi Gross have created a place where so many feel like a true, meaningful part of the congregation’s extended family.
MARCH PARKLAND LIFE "GOD SQUAD" ARTICLE BY RABBI GROSS Shakespeare depicts the Earl of Kent in King Lear offering a bedtime prayer not to God and His angels, but rather to the Roman goddess Fortuna: "Fortune, good night. Smile once more; turn thy wheel." As portrayed by the Romans, Fortuna held a kind of ferris wheel in her hand on which human affairs revolved: sometimes you're up; sometimes you're down. That organizing metaphor for the randomness of luck is so psychologically compelling that it not only appealed to Shakespeare in 1607 but to devotees of Wheel of Fortune today. Read entire article
Cantor Susan Weiss
Cantor Susan Weiss’s gentle demeanor and beautiful voice have been a hallmark not only of Temple Beth Orr’s services but of the congregation’s musical and spiritual life on many levels for over 15 years. Whether coaxing B’nei-Mitzvah candidates through their tutoring sessions or working alongside the adult choir, Cantor Weiss has a touch that is indelible.
“My main goal as a Cantor is to give worshipers a warm, positive, feel-good experience,” she says.
Her broad credentials include achieving cantorial certification from Hebrew Union College and membership in the American Conference of Cantors. She draws from her wealth of experience and education to provide both moving and eclectic worship experiences such as Friday Night Live, and fun social outlets such as the annual 'Give My Regards to Jewish Broadway' show staged by the temple membership. In addition, she reaches out to the community through annual participation in cantorial and interfaith concerts.
Singing festively through Purim services or solemnly on Yom Kippur, Cantor Susan Weiss’s voice is, happily, the musical voice of Temple Beth Orr.
Daily classroom visits by ECC/Education Director Eileen Kaplan include much more than a quick peek in the door. Mrs. Kaplan loves to sit down and listen to the children who find her familiar, cheerful face a welcoming sight as they chat with her and give her lots of hugs.
Mrs. Kaplan’s comfort and confidence with the children and her staff come from the experience of over two decades as a director, first in New Jersey and now, since 2005, at Temple Beth Orr. She loves to delve into all things educational and is always reading the latest materials, attending workshops, and implementing new and innovative curriculum at the school.
Her educational background in speech pathology with a Master’s degree in Administration has allowed her to build a program rich in language skills and phonemic awareness. This serious side of education is complemented well by her natural ability to give warm fuzzies and feelings of self-confidence to both the children and the adults at the Kuhn ECC.
“We will do everything possible to make children feel successful in our school,” Mrs. Kaplan says, and she accomplishes this with the perfect mixture of knowledge and love.
TBO is pleased to have Dave Oney as our Administrator. Dave has extensive skills and experience in sales, marketing and computer technology. He is an outstanding team motivator and leader.
Dave joined Temple Beth Orr in 1989, and in his 18 years as a temple member, he has held numerous board positions, and has worked on several committees including Budget & Finance, Religious Practices, Disaster Response Task Force, Administration, and Emergency Relief Services. Dave was President of Temple Beth Orr’s Brotherhood for 4 years, and is currently a Brotherhood Vice- President. Dave received Temple Beth Orr’s Lifetime Volunteer Award in 1996, and is a member of Chai Society and Vatikim.
In addition to volunteering at Temple Beth Orr, Dave serves as a Vice President of the MRJ, the Men of Reform Judaism and is an Executive Board Member and treasurer of the JCS, Jewish Chautauqua Society. He represents the MRJ on the URJ, Union for Reform Judaism Commission of Outreach and Synagogue Community and Inter-religious Affairs Committees. He is also a URJ Outreach Fellow, Class of 2000.
TBO is pleased to have Dave Oney as our Administrator. Dave has extensive skills and experience in sales, marketing and computer technology. He is an outstanding team motivator and leader.
