By KAREN RICE
Rabbi Klein, 27, will become the new Rabbi for Reconstructionist Congregation Beth Emeth in Hewlett starting Aug. 1. For Klein, this is a kind of homecoming because he was born in New York City and considered himself to be a New Yorker at heart. He was reared in Montclair, N.J. from about age eight.
He received his bachelor's degree in religion from Columbia University and his Rabbinical certification and master's degree in Hebrew letters from the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College in Pennsylvania.
Klein said he began college as a pre-med student to pursue his love of science and perhaps become a medical doctor like his father, Michael Klein. However, he did not like the intense competition between the students and in his second year he began to remember his childhood dream of becoming a rabbi.
I never subscribed to being competitive academically, Klein said.
I never really thought of myself as pre-med. I took some of the classes like chemistry and physics but I did not feel like taking them anymore. I decided I could come back to it and I could still love science and not be a scientist.
As a child, Klein knew a rabbi who was great with children and encouraged him to enjoy Jewish traditions. Klein was so impressed with the rabbi he decided that one day he would like to become a rabbi as well.
There was a rabbi who was really good with kids and he attracted me to services. I was always involved in the Jewish community to some degree. It was kind of a joke as a kid. In my notebook I wrote, Rabbi Jason Klein' instead of Jason Klein.'
Klein changed his major to religion in his second year at Columbia and, in league with is love of religion and learning new things, specialized in Orthodox Christianity.
Klein also loves to teach, which he accredited to his father, a medical school teacher, and his mother, Sheilia Klein, who teaches early childhood Jewish education. Both my parents are wonderful teachers, Klein said. He also feels that what he has learned from his parents is valuable because so much about being a rabbi is teaching.
Klein explained that he loves Jewish tradition and said he tries to bring himself closer to God in both his small and his major tasks throughout his daily routine. He also tries to maintain the openness and democracy championed by the Reconstructionist movement, which began in the 20th century as the youngest branch of organized American Judaism, according to the Jewish Reconstructionist Federation Web site, jrf.org. He especially enjoys teaching others how to bring God closer through Jewish traditions.
Aside from teaching, Klein felt that pursuing a career as a rabbi will allow him to contribute to the healing process through pastoral care. He will also continue to pursue his love of learning as he reads and studies liturgy and religious traditions.
I will spend the rest of my life learning to be a rabbi, he said.
Klein also enjoys a strong sense of community which he felt he has already found in Hewlett.
This is a community that feels really warm and caring, Klein said. It's an extended family that cares about Judaism.
Klein's pastimes also include his strong sense of community. He admitted he will use his amateur magician skills to help connect with children in the community. Klein said he also loves to bake and cook, two activities he strongly associates with community.
I love being around people and food is a connection with that, he said.
Klein's own family also plays a large role in his life. He is happy to be moving closer to his parents and his 24-year-old sister, Lara Klein, who live in New York City. His family has always been very supportive and is very pleased with his decision to become a rabbi, Klein said.
Reconstructionist Congregation Beth Emeth (RCBE) will hold an open house and service for new members on July 12 at 8 p.m.
Prospective members are invited to meet the new rabbi and other temple members. RCBE is known for its friendly, warm atmosphere, where everyone is treated as family, synagogue officials said. Visitors can come and learn about the programs and Hebrew school.
The synagogue is located at 36 Franklin Ave. in Hewlett. An Oneg Shabbat will be held after services. For more information call (516) 374-9220.
