Bellmore Jewish Center appoints new spiritual leader

The Bellmore Jewish Center will welcome its new spiritual leader to the community this summer, as Rabbi Dahlia Bernstein is preparing to start her tenure as rabbi of the synagogue.

The center, located at 2550 Centre Ave., is a full egalitarian conservative synagogue that officials said emphasizes family services and programs. President Ian Wald said congregants would have the chance to meet Bernstein at their “Shabbat Under the Stars” open house at 6 p.m. on July 12 before she officially starts on Aug. 1.

“The Bellmore Jewish Center is excited and pleased to welcome Rabbi Dahlia Bernstein to our synagogue community,” he said. “She brings with her a new spirit and a dynamic energy unseen before on Long Island.”

Bernstein said she completed rabbinic ordination at the Jewish Theological Seminary, where she also pursued a master’s degree in Jewish education, in May. She previously graduated from the joint program between the seminary and Columbia University, earning two bachelor’s degrees in Talmud/rabbinics and anthropology. During rabbinical school, Bernstein earned the Schusterman Fellowship. Officials said this allowed her to participate in interdenominational dialogue with her reform colleagues on pressing topics in the Jewish community, including social media in the synagogue, intermarriage and creating meaningful and spiritually engaging prayer services.

Officials at the center noted that Bernstein has a passion for pastoral care, which they said she honed while working with the Metropolitan Jewish Hospice in 2010. They said she also developed these skills in her work as a rabbinic and education intern for the Orangetown Jewish Center in Orangeburg, New York. In addition to these experienced, Bernstein served as the rabbi of Congregation Emanuel in Statesville, North Carolina through the Legacy Heritage Rabbinic Fellowship.

Ritual Vice President Joseph Weisbord said the board of directors of the Bellmore Jewish Center is delighted to have a rabbi with a wealth of knowledge, experience, educational training and expertise in all aspects of Jewish life.