Phil came to Judaism (and Shomrei Torah) 27 years ago and always felt drawn to Judaism. Perhaps it is his "Yiddishe Neshama" (Jewish soul). Phil shared a conversation he had with Rabbi Segelman when he first approached the idea of conversion.

Rabbi: "Are you crazy?"
Phil: "Perhaps, a little."
Rabbi: "Well, then you will fit right in!"

And on that auspicious note, the history of Shomrei Torah and Philip Nuccetelli began.

Phil was raised in Passaic and received a BA in Education and a Master's in Ecology from William Paterson University. A chemistry teacher at Clifton High School for 23 years, he switched to the business sector, where he is
currently employed by Equitable Insurance. He gives credit to William Paterson University as the place where he met his wife, Maria. Married since 1963, the Nuccetelli family settled in Wayne, raised two children, and now enjoys the pleasures of being grandparents to three grandchildren.

Phil is an avid bridge player and instructor and has been instrumental in bringing the enjoyment of this game to Shomrei Torah, where an informal group plays on Wednesday at different host locations.

A voracious reader, his favorite books are on religion and spirituality and he takes classes on Hebrew literacy and Torah in his continuing quest for knowledge. A Melton alumnus, he will be continuing this path by participating in Rabbi Mark's "Chai Mitzvah" class held on the 4th Monday of each month and would like one day to be proficient in reading Hebrew.

Phil credits his grandmother as the one who has most influenced his life. He explains "she raised me, as my mother was a single parent for the most part. My grandmother imparted to me the most important life lessons and was an inspiration."

He loves to travel and has participated in the "March of the Living," along with other members of Shomrei and was in Israel for the first time at the conclusion of the March. He was most impressed by the "mix of different cultures, the cosmopolitan nature and the magnetic atmosphere of Israeli society."

Always an active participant in the fabric of Shomrei Torah, he has been involved in many different spheres of synagogue life i.e., ritual committee, executive board and the board of trustees. He is a "hands-on" volunteer, cooking meals (his eggplant parm is delicious!), running morning minyans (and lottery ticket collection!). Little known fact: Phil is also well-versed in the repair of tzizit (prayer shawl) strings which require a special technique for knotting. (These fringes are coiled and knotted to remind us of the 613 mitzvot. The numerical values of the letters that comprise the Hebrew word tzizit add up to 600. Add the eight strings and five knots of each tzizit total 613).

When asked to define what being Jewish means to him, Phil explains that for him it means "Seeing God in every human being."

Thank you, Phil, for being a valued and integral part of Shomrei Torah!