Bonnie Friedman was born and raised in Philadelphia and moved to New Jersey after she married. In 1974, after her husband died unexpectedly, she moved to Cherry Hill with her four young children to be closer to her parents. She knew she needed to find a synagogue for the kids to attend Hebrew School and began to shop around the area for one that she liked and felt comfortable at. She ended up in Haddon Heights, at Temple Beth Sholom where she was first introduced to Rabbi Lewis z”l. She credits him to this day with expanding her love and commitment to Judaism.

When Bonnie married her second husband, Nathan, they got involved in the congregation and began attending regularly. They were both equally committed to Temple Beth Sholom and became quite involved when they moved to their current location in Cherry Hill. After Nathan passed away in 2010, TBS really became Bonnie’s community and her second family. Today, Bonnie attends services every Shabbat, takes classes weekly and volunteers on a daily basis -- there is nothing she wouldn’t do for her TBS family.

Temple Beth Sholom has been home to Milt and Emily Gottschalk for over 30 years. Along with their two sons; Eric and Marc, the Gottschalks have been community volunteers for decades.

Milt’s involvement and contribution to the Jewish Community has included leadership positions at the Jewish Federation of SNJ, the TBS Board, and the Jewish Community Foundation. Emily has served as a senior marketing advisor to both TBS and The Jewish Federation, developing logo identities, branding, sponsorship programs, and visual space where needed. Emily has long served as a budget advisor and is currently serving as co-chair of the TBS endowment committee.

Twelve years ago, Emily and Milt founded the Soefer Foundation, anchored in its core belief of contributing to Jewish philanthropy and the needs of sick children. Their philosophy continues to focus on sustainable giving and active partnership. They have enjoyed working closely with TBS to fund and design the Rabbi Steven Lindemann Lifelong Learning Center as well as the Gottschalk Family Sukkah space and feel honored to be recognized this evening

Rabbi Bryan Wexler joined the TBS community in 2017. Since that time, he has impacted the lives of so many through his caring and compassionate support and uplifting spiritual moments that he has brought to our services.

In 2019 Rabbi Wexler introduced a new innovative and original Healing Service to TBS. This service has warmly comforted hundreds of congregants and participants from around the country, helping care for them in their time of need.

In addition to the new services that Rabbi Wexler has brought to TBS, and the many committees and groups he supports, he also has developed the dynamic HaMakom and Kesher programs for teens. This cutting-edge program has quickly become the largest teen educational program in Southern New Jersey and is recognized throughout the country for the innovative programming and curriculum.

Rabbi Wexler holds a B.A. from Brandeis University and was ordained by the Jewish Theological Seminary, where he also received a Masters in Jewish Education.  During his time in Rabbinical School, Rabbi Wexler was the Rabbinic Intern at both Park Avenue Synagogue and B’nai Jeshurun in Manhattan. 

In addition to his responsibilities at TBS, Rabbi Wexler currently serves as the President of the Tri-County Board of Jewish Clergy and is the Rabbinic Chair for the Goodblatt Academy.  The greatest blessing of his life is his family, namely his wife, Rebecca, and their three children: Meyer, Gavi, and Eliana.  He is even blessed to now have his parents, Drs. Ruth and Barry Wexler, as part of the TBS family as well!