Bloomfield Rabbi Earns Award For Serving Jewish Community

BLOOMFIELD, NJ — A rabbi at a temple in Bloomfield recently earned an award for serving the Jewish community as part of an annual celebration in Essex County.

Rabbi Marc Katz of Temple Ner Tamid in Bloomfield, and Jill Hirsch, the district director for the Office of U.S. Rep. Mikie Sherrill, were given Star of Essex awards during the 2023 Essex County Annual Jewish Heritage Celebration on Tuesday.

The event recognizes the “influence and positive impact that Jewish people have had, and continue to have, on the economy and culture of Essex County.”

According to a statement from Essex County Executive Joseph DiVincenzo Jr., here’s why Katz earned an award this year:

"Rabbi Marc Katz came to Temple Ner Tamid in Bloomfield in 2018. He has concentrated on a host of initiatives, including expanding the Israel discourse, enriching adult education, engaging empty nesters, re-imagining parent engagement in Religious School, pursing social justice, and opening spiritual avenues during prayer. This is in addition to his regular clergy duties of leading services, conducting funerals, visiting sick congregants, officiating at weddings, and working with b’nei mitzvah students."

Originally from Barrington, R.I., Rabbi Katz received a bachelor’s degree from Tufts University in 2006. At Tufts, he studied Comparative Religion while serving as the captain of his college swim team. Before entering rabbinical school, Rabbi Katz worked as a Legislative Assistant for the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism lobbying for environmental protection and health care reform on behalf of the Reform movement. Rabbi Katz graduated from Hebrew Union College - Jewish Institute of Religion in 2012 and began work as assistant rabbi at Congregation Beth Elohim in Park Slope, Brooklyn, where he had been working as a student rabbi and religious schoolteacher for four years. Rabbi Katz served a total of 10 years at CBE, eventually attaining the title of Associate Rabbi.

Katz is the author of the book, “The Heart of Loneliness: How Jewish Wisdom Can Help You Cope and Find Comfort (Jewish lights),” which was a finalist for the National Jewish Book Award. When not at Temple Ner Tamid, Rabbi Katz is an adjunct professor of Talmud at Hebrew Union College as well as a judge for the National Jewish Book Awards. Rabbi Katz and his wife Ayelet live in Montclair.

“Essex County is a special place because it is a place where people come together and when there is a tragedy people show up to support. When we come together, our cumulative light shines brighter,” Katz said.

“This is a wonderful and beautiful honor to receive this recognition from the county executive,” he added.

• See Related: Temple Attack Was Scary, 'Nebulous' Threats Worse: Bloomfield Rabbi

DiVincenzo said that Hirsch and Katz have both been influential members of the community – and for good reason.

“Their commitment to serving the Jewish community and improving the lives of Essex County residents, their leadership, and dedication to public service is to be praised,” he said.

The Essex County Jewish Heritage Celebration is part of a yearlong series of programs initiated by County Executive DiVincenzo to recognize and celebrate the diversity of Essex County. Other cultural celebrations celebrate African American Heritage, Irish Heritage, Italian Heritage, Jewish Heritage, Latino Heritage and Portuguese Heritage.

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