Clergy » Rabbi Michael Pont

Rabbi Michael Pont

Shalom! I am thrilled to be your rabbi and I look forward to getting to know you. My wife Natalie and our three children, Gabriel, Emma, and Jordana are all very happy to be here.

I grew up in Southfield Michigan, near Detroit. My family belonged to a large shul, Congregation Shaarey Zedek, where I went to Hebrew School, and was active in United Synagogue Youth. I met my closest friends at Shaarey Zedek in part because we shared a unique bond. That bond is Judaism, the faith that emphasizes family, study, and care for others, and celebrating holidays and life itself.

I attended the University of Michigan (GO BLUE!), and graduated in 1991 with a degree in Psychology. I loved my college years and met many students from New Jersey!

After college I served as a Youth Director at the Conservative synagogue in Ann Arbor. The experience inspired me to apply to Rabbinical School at the Jewish Theological Seminary in 1993. In 1999 I was ordained and went to Greensboro, North Carolina as an assistant until 2004, when I arrived at Temple Beth Ahm in Aberdeen. My wife, kids and I love this area and are so happy to remain here! Thank you for welcoming us with so much warmth and excitement.

Professionally, I am happy to be a partner with Cantor Krieger on the bimah, with Executive Director Bonnie Komito and the office staff, and with Reba Schneiderman the Ritual Administrator. I am also thrilled to be working with President David Green, Executive Vice President Jay Solomon, and the rest of the lay leadership. All of these individuals are helping me a great deal, and I’m excited for a wonderful year.

I am proud to be a Conservative Jew and I embrace its principles. Namely, that we can be both a modern, dynamic congregation and maintain a commitment to Torah values and to Jewish life. I am the current President of the New Jersey Rabbinical Assembly, overseeing programming for the state’s 120 Conservative rabbis. My children attend Camp Ramah in the Berkshires, where Natalie and I have both served on staff. Finally, my children attend the Solomon Schechter Day School here in Marlboro.

Among my interests are playing basketball and I hope to see you on the court. I enjoy reading a good book, keeping up-to-date on current events, especially those that impact Israel, playing games and staying in touch with friends.

Hiney mah tov u’manayim shevet achim gam yachad. How wonderful it is for us to be together! What are your hopes and dreams for our community? Please let me know so we can build a strong congregation.

Shalom,

Rabbi Michael Pont