Mel’s Jewish values were instilled at a young age. Growing up in Newark, New Jersey with his brother, Joel; mother, Jean; and father, Phineas, Mel learned and practiced Jewish traditions. Mel’s father was a lawyer, and his mother was a homemaker and an active volunteer in Hadassah. He likes to think that he married these two professions in his adult life: his career as an attorney and his love of giving back to the Jewish community. As a teenager, Mel’s parents took him on a family trip to Israel. That began a love of travel, especially to the Holy Land. He has since visited Israel nine times and is a self-described “true and impassioned” Zionist. 

 

An honors student in high school, Mel played the violin, resulting in a lifelong love for classical music. He graduated from Rutgers University, majoring in history, and also learned French. He later moved to NYC and attended New York University School of Law. Mel’s love of learning didn’t stop there; he then learned Spanish and Italian. To Mel, being able to form a connection and communicate with those from other cultures is special, insightful, and meaningful. Professionally, Mel is an attorney who specializes in personal injury, family law, and workers compensation matters in Essex County. 

 

In 1978, Mel married Linda Ramer in Livingston. Ironically, they married at the Crystal Plaza! Mel and Linda bought a home in Livingston a few years later and have resided here ever since. It was here that Mel and Linda raised two beautiful daughters, Phyllis and Mariel. He feels lucky to be able to share simchas with his family, including his son-in-law Eric and his fluffy granddog, Milo. 

 

Through the years, Mel has been a staple of our Jewish community. He served as the UJF MetroWest Lawyers’ Chair and Commerce and Professionals’ Co-Chair for the Super Sunday event. Mel is proud of having chaired a large number of Israel Bonds events at our temple. It is not surprising, therefore, that Mel and Linda were themselves honored by Israel Bonds on two occasions.

 

Mel and Linda joined Temple Beth Shalom over 30 years ago. He has felt so honored to be able to connect to this Jewish mishpacha by befriending those from all walks of life. As a result, he decided to give his time back to the synagogue that gave so much to him. Throughout his membership, Mel served on the TBS Board of Trustees and on the executive committee as Vice President and President. He co-chaired the Annual Gala with Linda, and also has served on TBS’s Ritual Committee; High Holiday lay choir, Temple biographer and more.

 

Mel’s personal passions include collecting art and rare books, traveling as much as he can, attending the theater, and singing. In fact, his melodic voice is well known for chanting Haftarah through the years! Mel has brought joy and an uplifting spirit to TBS during his presidency. We honor his commitment and dedication to Temple with a heartfelt “Todah Rabah!”