A street sign named Weiner

A street sign named Weiner

Rabbi Arthur D. Weiner, who is celebrating 10 years of service to the Jewish Community Center of Paramus, said he "is proud of what the JCCP contributes to the community at large."

Clearly, the community is proud of Rabbi Weiner as well. On March 1, Paramus Mayor James Tedesco read a proclamation declaring the day "Rabbi Arthur Weiner Day" in the town.


Rabbi Arthur D. Weiner and Paramus Mayor James Tedesco. Photo by Fred L. Harris

More than 1’5 congregants, friends, family members, and Paramus residents attended the tribute ceremony, which culminated in the erection of a sign renaming the corner near Paramus Borough Hall. Now known as "Rabbi Arthur Weiner Way," the street will bear the rabbi’s name for approximately 30 days.

This is not the first time the Paramus community has honored a local rabbi by naming a street in his honor. In the mid-1990s, Rabbi Aryeh Gotlieb — now rabbi emeritus of the congregation — also had a Paramus street named for him. Marking Gotlieb’s contribution to the community — especially the creation, with then Paramus Mayor Cliff Gennarelli, of a community relations council — the borough created Rabbi Aryeh L. Gotlieb Lane and issued a proclamation in the rabbi’s honor.

"I was honored to be recognized by the community and the borough of Paramus," said Weiner at the March 1 ceremony. "I have always felt it is vital for the synagogue to be a part of the larger community."

Noting that he has "enjoyed a great 10 years at the JCC of Paramus working with wonderful people and Jewish professionals," he said he "looks forward, with God’s help, to serving the JCCP and the greater community for many years to come."

The celebration continued during Shabbat morning services on March 3, when 500 congregants, friends, and dignitaries gathered at the Paramus synagogue to honor the rabbi during services and at the luncheon that followed. Shul president Gershon Rosenzweig presented Weiner with a Torah yad and grogger, commemorating the rabbi’s first Shabbat at the congregation — 10 years ago, on Purim.

Speakers celebrated Weiner’s contributions during his 10 years at the JCCP, recalling, among other things, that he expanded the Torah reading and synagogue skills classes, resulting in many more congregants participating in services. In addition, it was noted that he implemented a Jewish Theological Seminary Scholar series and Judaism 101 class.

In the greater Jewish community, the rabbi serves on the executive council of the New Jersey region of the Rabbinical Assembly and is the rabbinic chair of the Bergen County Jewish Learning Project.

Weiner is married to Shira Schecter Weiner. They they have three children, Samuel, Danit, and Aviva.

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