Temple Shaari Emeth

{{Short description|Reform synagogue in Manalapan, New Jersey, United States}} {{more citations needed|date=December 2023}} {{Use American English|date=August 2025}} {{Use mdy dates|date=December 2023}} {{Infobox religious building | building_name = Temple Shaari Emeth | native_name = {{langx|he|השערים של אמת}} | image = Shaari Emeth 4.JPG | image_upright = 1.4 | caption = | map_type = New Jersey | map_size = 250 | map_relief = 1 | map_caption = Location in [[New Jersey]] | location = 400 Craig Road, [[Manalapan Township, New Jersey|Manalapan]], [[New Jersey|NJ]] 07726 | country = United States | coordinates = {{coord|40.284905|-74.300168|type:landmark_globe:earth_region:US-NJ|display=it|format=dms}} | religious_affiliation = [[Reform Judaism]] | rite = | region = | province = | territory = | prefecture = | sector = | district = | cercle = | municipality = | consecration_year = | status = [[Synagogue]] | functional_status = Active | heritage_designation = | leadership = {{ubl|Rabbi Melinda F. Panken|{{nowrap|Rabbi Philip E. Schechter}} {{small|(Emeritus)}}}} | website = {{URL|shaariemeth.org}} | architect = | architecture_type = | architecture_style = | general_contractor = | facade_direction = | established = 1966 {{small|(as a congregation)}} | groundbreaking = 1969 | year_completed = 1970 | construction_cost = | specifications = | capacity = | length = | width = | width_nave = | height_max = | dome_quantity = | dome_height_outer = | dome_height_inner = | dome_dia_outer = | dome_dia_inner = | minaret_quantity = | minaret_height = | spire_quantity = | spire_height = | materials = | nrhp = | added = | refnum = | designated = }} '''Temple Shaari Emeth''' ({{langx|he|השערים של אמת||Gates of truth}}) is a [[Reform Judaism|Reform]] [[Jewish]] [[synagogue]] located at 400 Craig Road in [[Manalapan Township, New Jersey|Manalapan]], [[New Jersey]], in the United States.<ref>{{cite web |last=Huber |first=Jill |url=http://njjewishnews.com/njjn.com/050406/moTempleShaariEmeth.html |title=Temple Shaari Emeth prepares for 40th anniversary celebration |work=[[New Jersey Jewish News|NJ Jewish News]] |access-date=March 23, 2012}}</ref>

==History== Founded in 1966, Temple Shaari Emeth originally had 50 member families, and had its facilities at two Manalapan residences. Irwin Goldenberg was the congregation's first religious leader. The congregation established a [[Parochial school|religious school]], with 23 students attending the first class which was held on February 18, 1966, at the two Manalapan homes. The [[U.S. Route 9 in New Jersey|U.S. Route 9]] corridor in Manalapan was expanding quickly, and many Jewish families from [[New York City]] were relocating to the area. By 1967, the members of Temple Shaari Emeth needed more space for the growing congregation. In 1968, [[Kevork Hovnanian]] donated 3.5 acres of land on Craig Road in Manalapan. Construction of the new synagogue began in May 1969 and was completed in April 1970. The synagogue underwent a major [[renovation]] in 1990.

==Religious school== The religious school has 527 students in grades K-10, with another 16 students enrolled in the school's post-confirmation program (grades 11–12).

==Clergy == Rabbi Peter Kasdan of [[Marlboro Township, New Jersey|Marlboro]] served as the temple's religious leader from 1969 to 1971. He was succeeded by Rabbi Phillip Schechter of [[Freehold Township, New Jersey|Freehold]], who occupied the position for the next 29 years. In 2003, Rabbi Melinda Panken of New York City became the congregation's religious leader.

==Notable members ==  *[[Anthony Firkser]]{{citation needed|date=December 2023}} (born 1995), football tight end for the [[New England Patriots]] of the National Football League

==References== {{Reflist}}

==External links== {{commons category}} *{{Official website|http://www.shaariemeth.org}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Shaari Emeth}} [[Category:1966 establishments in New Jersey]] [[Category:20th-century synagogues in the United States]] [[Category:Buildings and structures in Monmouth County, New Jersey]] [[Category:Jewish organizations established in 1966]] [[Category:Manalapan Township, New Jersey]] [[Category:Reform synagogues in New Jersey]] [[Category:Synagogues completed in 1970]]