One Minute With Cyndy Friedland
By Libby Barsky

Name: Cyndy Friedland

Occupation:  Real estate salesperson for Diane Turton Realtors

Address: Barnegat

Family: Divorced with one son, Justin 22, a senior graduating from Franklin Pierce University Rindge, N. H. Sister Phyllis is married to Clark Webb, and they have two children and live in Blacksburg, Va. Brother Marvin Taub is divorced, has two boys and lives in Oneonta, N.Y. Brother Arnold and Sue Taub live in Dewitt. N.Y. and have a daughter.

Community Activites: Started Reform Jewish Community of Barnegat synagogue in June 2003 in Barnegat, Ocean County, with the help of contacts from Temple Emeth in Teaneck including Rabbi Randi Musnitsky now of Temple Har Shalom of Warren and her assistant Paul Kaufman, who were instrumental in helping to start the synagogue. Started with a handful of people the congregation grew and now has approximately 90 membership units and a Hebrew school in its second year. On May 17, the congregation will hold its first b'nai mitzvah with David and Danielle Jonas of Barnegat with Rabbi Justus Baird of Princeton officiating.

A member of Barnegat Rent Leveling Board and also the Business and Professional Women of Southern Ocean County. A lot of community work with the congregation.

Hobbies: "I enjoy reading and sailing."

Self-portrait: "I'm community-minded, outgoing, very much a people person, a business woman, optimistic, and have a high energy level."

Motto: "If you build it, they will come."

Greatest Accomplishment: "After my son, the synagogue I've helped to organize."

Bad habits: "It's very difficult for me to say no. The Business and Professional people asked me to be president next year and I didn't want it -- but I'm in training now."

Favorite TV: "I try to watch Jewish programming on TV. I also enjoy ‘Brothers and Sisters,' ‘Gray's Anatomy,' and ‘Dancing with the Stars'."

Favorite food: "I love Brisket and deli. One of my goals is to bring a Jewish Deli to southern Ocean County. We don't have deli here and we really need one."

Best childhood Memory: "Summers on Oquaga Lake in upstate New York, where I learned to water ski and to sail a sunfish. We have a family reunion there every other summer at Scott's Hotel instead of renting cottages on the lake."

People don't know that: "I'm a Jew by choice after being raised as a Methodist. My father, Marvin Taub was an Orthodox Jew and my mother, Mary was Russian Orthodox. My parents are now deceased."

Last book I read: " ‘Tripping the Prom Queen: The Truth About Women and Rivalry'," by Susan Shapiro Barash. "The book is about women -- their roles and the different interactions between women resulting in rivalry and distrust."

The biggest asset in the local Jewish communities: "Having Reform Jewish Community of Barnegat here knowing that you have a Jewish spiritual connection."

The biggest problem in the local Jewish communities: "Gaining members, and members having a commitment to the congregation."

If I had more time I would: "It's not something I ever think about. I'm a single parent. I always find something in the community to do."