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Temple Shaari Emeth Announces Winner of the 2017 Dr. Milton R. Gross Memorial Confirmation Class Award

Student at Temple Shaari Emeth wins award

Posted Wed, Jul 5, 2017 at 2:27 pm ET

MANALAPAN, N.J. – A student in the 2017 Confirmation Class at Temple Shaari Emeth,

Manalapan, has been named the winner of the Seventh Annual Dr. Milton R. Gross

Memorial Confirmation Class Award. Justin Diament, son of Jenine Tankoos

and Michael Diament, wrote an essay titled “The Greatest Challenge to the Jewish

Community Today and What Can We Do To Change It?” and he will receive a $500

Israel Bond for his winning efforts. Justin happily accepted his award at the Shavuot

Service conducted by the Temple Shaari Emeth Confirmation Class on May 30, 2017.

Tracy Gross of East Brunswick, a Temple Shaari Emeth member and daughter of

long-time Freehold resident Dr. Milton R. Gross, presented the award to Justin. This

award is granted by the family of Dr. Gross, to honor his memory. A Shaari Emeth member

since 1966, the year the congregation was founded, Dr. Gross passed away in 2010.

“I’m so proud of Justin, who is one of the shining stars of our wonderful Confirmation Class,”

said Rabbi Melinda F. Panken, Senior Rabbi of the congregation. “And I am grateful for the

generosity and commitment of Dr. Gross’s family and for the scope and depth of his

contributions to synagogue life for over four decades. His memory is for a blessing,” Rabbi

Panken added.