Fred J. Neulander was born on August 14, 1941, in Trenton, New Jersey. He grew up in a Jewish family and was involved in his community from a young age. He attended local schools and excelled in his studies. Fred showed early interest in religion and leadership.

After high school, he pursued higher education at Trinity College, where he graduated in 1963. Following college, Neulander decided to become a rabbi. He devoted his life to serving the Jewish community and became the founding rabbi of the Congregation M'Kor Shalom Reform Temple in Cherry Hill, New Jersey. This temple opened its doors in the summer of 1974. Before that, he worked as an assistant rabbi at Temple Emanuel, also located in Cherry Hill.

Throughout his career, Neulander was known for his commitment to his congregation and worked hard to build a welcoming environment for members. He focused on community activities and youth programs. He and his wife, Carol, raised three children together.

In the years following the establishment of his temple, Neulander's personal life became complex. He was involved in a two-year affair with a radio personality named Elaine Soncini. This relationship began after he officiated the funeral of Soncini's husband.

Fred Neulander's life changed dramatically in the 1990s when he faced serious legal troubles. In February 1995, he resigned from his position as rabbi. He continued to live in New Jersey until his later years.

Fred J. Neulander was a rabbi from Cherry Hill, New Jersey. In 1994, he was convicted of hiring two men to kill his wife, Carol Neulander. The crime was shocking and gained a lot of media attention. Fred Neulander was put on trial in 2001, but the jury could not reach a decision, resulting in a hung jury. Due to the heavy media coverage in Camden County, his retrial took place in Monmouth County in 2002.

During the second trial, his defense attorney was Mike Riley. The jury found Neulander guilty. His son Matthew, who had not been certain of his father's guilt during the first trial, testified against him in the retrial. After the trial, the jury considered whether the death penalty should be an option. They chose not to recommend it.

Neulander was sentenced to serve 30 years to life in prison at the New Jersey State Prison in Trenton. He expressed anger about his situation, including feelings about his family, as two of his three adult children testified against him. In 2006, the New Jersey Superior Court rejected his appeal, which claimed errors during his trial. Neulander passed away on April 17, 2024, while still in prison.