Founding member’s 35 years
of service to temple honored
Shaari Emeth says
thanks to Les Tinkler
Les and Barbara Tinkler
MANALAPAN — After years of service to his temple and his community, Les Tinkler has been recognized by the congregation of Temple Shaari Emeth, Craig Road, for his many accomplishments.
In a conversation with the News Transcript, Tinkler and his wife, Barbara, recalled moving to Manalapan in 1965.
"The temples in Englishtown and Freehold were conservative, leaning toward orthodox," Barbara Tinkler said. "We were looking for a congregation that would tend to be more of a different persuasion."
An advertisement in a local newspaper caught their attention and asked people who were interested in setting up a reform-conservative temple to meet at the Trotters and Pacers diner (now the Empire) in Freehold.
Shortly thereafter, the Tinklers were among the eight founding families of Temple Shaari Emeth, which was established in February 1966.
In the beginning, the congregation did not have a home of its own. The congregation met at the First Presbyterian Church in Englishtown; at the Koos Brothers furniture store in Freehold; and at the Carver Nursing Home on Pension Road, Manal-apan. Les Tinkler became the congregation’s first cantor and the organist for Sabbath services on Friday evenings.
Les Tinkler was the first vice president of the congregation and went on to serve in a variety of chairmanships as a board member.
"Les has been a diligent board member, putting the needs of the temple before that of any one person or group," said Barbara, who has been a teacher in the temple’s religious school since its inception.
Today, the Tinklers see a reform congregation that has grown to almost 900 families with Rabbi Brooks Susman and Cantor Wayne Siet as the spiritual leaders, and Dina Maiben, principal, as head of the religious school.
"This is what Les dreamed about," said Barbara, "and it came to pass."
Growth can also be seen in the increased number of children who attend the Hebrew school. There are approximately 700 students attending the school and the school graduates a full confirmation class of young adults every year.
"Our youth is our hope," said Tinkler. "It’s the basis of Reform Judaism."
In honor of Tinkler’s years of service to the temple, and as an active founding member of the temple, the board of trustees in May bestowed upon him the honorary position of founding trustee, according to Brian J. Marder, temple president. The position was given exclusively to Tinkler for life, and he will have a permanent chair at the table of the board of trustees. His name and title will be included on the letterhead of the temple and on all official documents to the congregation.
"Les, of course, has been on the board since its inception. His legal background has always been helpful to the board," Marder said. "In the leadership workshops I have conducted for board members over the years I always emphasized the importance of ‘preparation’ for a temple meeting. I would always recommend that ideas which may seem controversial should be discussed with Les beforehand.
"With Les’ input the meeting would not only run smoother, but I always knew that what we had finally accomplished was in the best interest of the temple and the congregation because of Les’ approval. Les was not just a member of our board. Because of his position from the very beginning, he played an integral role in the evolution of our congregation. The best part is that both Les and Barbara are two outstanding people, valued role models for all of us. As president of the congregation, I was particularly delighted with Les’ timing of his decision to retire, allowing me to preside over this occasion."
In addition to his accomplishments at Temple Shaari Emeth, Tinkler also played an active role in the Manalapan area. He chaired the first fund-raising group in the community, seeking to build the Freehold Area Hospital (now CentraState Medical Center).
He served on the board of trustees of the Central New Jersey Lung Association, a diverse group of members that included Gov. Richard Hughes and New York Yankees great Phil Rizzuto.
Tinkler organized the first girls softball league in Manalapan, which soon helped to initiate the Manalapan Recreation Committee.
He was also active in township politics, serving as president of the Manalapan Democratic Club and running for seats on the Township Committee and the Monmouth County Board of Freeholders.
For 27 years, Tinkler was a municipal court judge, leaving the bench this past January. His career included service as a judge in the Western Monmouth County communities of Manalapan, Freehold Borough, Howell, Millstone Township and Roosevelt.
While he still practices law, Tinkler also teaches criminal justice at Monmouth University, West Long Branch, and at Georgian Court College, Lakewood. Tinkler also enjoys tennis, weekly rounds of golf and short excursions on his new bicycle.
The Tinklers are the parents of three grown daughters, two of whom are attorneys and one who is a professor of respiratory therapy. There are five grandchildren in the Tinkler family portrait.
"The other day Les said, ‘I have the best life,’ " Barbara Tinkler said. "This is a person who has come to terms with himself, his temple, his family and his community."

