Rabbi Howard Cove
Senior Rabbi
rabbicove@kolemet.org
215-493-8522 ext. 101

Howard K. Cove serves as the Senior Rabbi of Congregation Kol Emet of Yardley, PA. A 1989 graduate of the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College, Howard served for 4 years as a student rabbi at Adath Tikvah Montifiore in Philadelphia, and 7 years as the Assistant Rabbi at Temple Sinai in Dresher, PA. Howard received his B.S. in Elementary Education from Temple University in 1981.

In addition to his congregational responsibilities, has also participated in CJEEP, the Catholic-Jewish Education Program sponsored by the Steven Spielberg Foundation. This cooperative effort between the Archdiocese of Philadelphia and the American Jewish Committee helps promote better understanding between high school age students in the areas of religion and faith. Howard has also served as the Rabbinic Chaplain of the Cradle of Liberty Council of the Boy Scouts of America.

“As a rabbi, I try to meet a person with whom I am working with, in the words of the Torah, ba’asher hu sham (where he or she is), in whatever they are experiencing, wherever they are. I attempt to offer a connection to torah, Israel and G-d; to our shared tradition; to community and to one’s own spiritual resources.”

“I am committed to a partnership with fellow congregants in order to create a synagogue community that is friendly, compassionate and serious about Judaism. I hope that we can help one another do the best we can with our lives – the right way, the caring way.”

“I am a Rabbi because I want to make Jewishness come alive for the people in my community. To have the children and adults fall passionately for all or a part of Jewish life. I want to be a source of strength, inspiration and hope to anyone walking through the doors of Kol Emet, Jew or non-Jew.”

“I became a Rabbi because I committed myself to never giving up searching and yearning for G-d. I am a Rabbi because I know that this world is full of miracles, and that for every pain, there is beauty and goodness, and for every loss there is love, and for every wasted moment there is wonder.”

Rabbi Susan P. Schein
Associate Rabbi
rabbischein@kolemet.org
215-493-8522 ext. 112

Rabbi Schein serves as the Associate Rabbi of Congregation Kol Emet. She has been with the congregation since 2002.

Much of Rabbi Schein’s time and energy is devoted to teaching adult education classes, the Heh class in the religious school, and B’nay Mitzvah students. She leads Shabbat and holiday services throughout the year and serves as our High Holy Day cantor. Committed to life-long Jewish education, Rabbi Schein played an active role in creating Kol Emet’s Adult B’nay Mitzvah program. She also has worked with lay leaders to establish Kol Emet’s Caring Committee. Rabbi Schein is passionate about helping congregants search for and find meaning along their Jewish paths.

Rabbi Schein graduated from the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College in 2003. She holds an M.A. in German Literature from Washington University in St. Louis and a B.A. with Honors in Political Science and German Language from the University of Rochester.

While in rabbinical school, she worked at several congregations, including Mishkan HaAm--The Westchester-Riverdale Reconstructionist Group in New York and Mishkan Shalom in Philadelphia. As a chaplain, she has worked for the Jewish Family and Children’s Service of Greater Philadelphia and has served at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania and at the Philadelphia Geriatric Center. Rabbi Schein also was Hillel Director at Bucknell University and Program Director at the St. Louis Hillel Foundation.

It has been Rabbi Schein’s good fortune to have lived in Israel during different periods of her life: six months in Safed with the work-study program “Livnot U’Lehibanot,” a year at the Hebrew University, and another year at the Conservative Yeshiva in Jerusalem. One summer she studied Jewish texts in the Catskills with the Lubavitch-sponsored “Ivy League Torah Study Program.” Rabbi Schein has lived, worked, and studied in Germany, has completed two Outward Bound courses, and has bicycled across the United States. She cares deeply about animals and the environment, and, for fun, she juggles.

Carrie Shames-Walinsky
Educational Director
cwalinsky@kolemet.org
215-493-8522 ext. 103

My first religious school experience was in an old, dark and moldy building in New York City. We all sat, hands crossed, petrified to share or speak, 2 hours a day, 5 afternoons a week. It was then I thought to myself, there has got to be a better way! And so, 10 years later, when I chose my profession, I committed myself to improving the plight of Jewish education for children. Since then it’s been a learning experience every year. Just when I think I've seen it all, there is another issue or idea evolving.

Throughout the years, I have committed the school, and style of teaching, to retain 4 very important values. The first is to treat every child with dignity and respect. The second is to use every moment in school as a teaching moment. The third is to combine fun, creativity and hands on experience within our school. And the fourth is to constantly listen to parents and students and adapt to meet the needs of our community.

My education includes graduating Phi Beta Kappa from Rutgers University. I have also studied abroad at Tel Aviv University, and I attended graduate school at the Jewish Theological Seminary and Gratz college. My employment experiences have always been at synagogue schools where I have been a teacher in preschools and religious schools and held directorships in both Early Childhood and Religious education.

Personally I have lived, studied, traveled and worked in Israel. I am married, and have 4 children who keep me very busy with ice hockey, wrestling and soccer. In my free time I enjoy family time, and design and painting Ketubot (Jewish marriage contracts).

Working at Congregation Kol Emet has been a dream come true. Because the Reconstructionist Movement is so open and flexible, I am able to use my creativity and enthusiasm to educate students of all ages.

Bob Frey
Executive Director
bfrey@kolemet.org
215-493-8522 ext. 113

Bob has spent many years working in the social services field, including 20 years in the field of Jewish Communal Service.

A lifelong resident of the Philadelphia/Bucks County region, Bob graduated from Temple University with a degree in Psychology in 1972. After a successful career as a Center Director and Program Director for people with disabilities with the City of Philadelphia, Department of Recreation, Bob crossed the river and began his career with the Jewish Community Center of the Delaware Valley in Ewing in 1987. He held various positions there, ranging from the Physical Education and Aquatics Director to Camp Director, Program Director, and for the past 13 years, the center’s Executive Director.

Bob developed a passion towards providing programs for people with disabilities during his years with the Department of Recreation. He continues to direct the Carousel Recreation and Socialization Program for People with Disabilities which he and his staff began 18 years ago. He has been recognized by the Philadelphia Kiwanis, Variety Club and Summerdale Youth Club as Person of the Year. He has served on several boards including the Board of Rabbis of Princeton Mercer Bucks and the Mercer County Legal Commission on Aging.

“The warmth of the staff, board and congregants attracted me to Kol Emet. I enjoy utilizing the administrative, facility management , and programmatic skills that I have learned and developed during my career to help our congregation continue to grow and develop. I look forward to sharing the exciting future of Kol Emet with our congregants and staff.”

Bob resides in Newtown with his wife Toby, a special Education teacher with the city of Philadelphia for over 37 years. They are extremely blessed that their four children, seven grandchildren.