Introducing Rabbi Arlene Bernstein - A Report from the Ordination

by Emily Jennewein, President

May 20, 2011 -- Cantor, and now Rabbi, Arlene Bernstein was ordained along with 12 other rabbinic ordinees of Hebrew Union College at a beautiful and moving ceremony at the Wilshire Boulevard Temple in Los Angeles last Sunday morning.  

Rabbi/Cantor Arlene Bernstein

Many of you know that for seven long years, Cantor has been driving several times a week to Los Angeles for classes and seminars. I understand that studying for the rabbinate is hard enough if you’re a full-time student. I can’t imagine how difficult it was for Cantor Bernstein to pursue her studies in addition to performing her duties as Cantor at Beth Israel. But she did so beautifully for seven full years.

This was my first time visiting Wilshire Boulevard Temple. It is a stately, historic building whose Byzantine revival exterior architecturally resembles our old synagogue on Third and Laurel. The bimah and the entire sanctuary are paneled in dark wood, and gilded fresco paintings illustrating Jewish history surround the dome. 

As the service began, our Rabbis – Rabbi Berk, Rabbi Satz, Rabbi Katz and Rabbi Aliza Berk – processed along with dozens of other clergy from across the West.  Beautiful cantorial music graced the entire service.

Each student was presented by a rabbi mentor and then blessed by Rabbi David Ellenson, president of Hebrew Union College -- who will speak here next April toward the end of our 150th year. Cantor Bernstein was presented for ordination by Rabbi Jonathan Stein, who was her rabbi when she decided to become a rabbi, and who is currently president of the Central Conference of American Rabbis.

In his introduction of Rena Sarah bat Yosef u’Masha, Arlene Sandra Bernstein, Rabbi Stein noted that our Cantor has an “extraordinary ability to connect with people of all ages and stages…. How fortunate for the Jewish people that you decided to become a Cantor and now a Rabbi. You could have been a therapist, musician, teacher, singer, or coach,” he said. “Arlene is a Jew with a flexible spirituality, open to new ways of expression, welcoming to all while maintaining high standards…. Her innate ability to understand others, her good judgment, considered opinions and gentle support and encouragement have made her a loyal mentor and role model.”

Rabbi Ellenson then took Cantor Bernstein by the hand, led her up several steps to the open ark, and blessed her under a historic ordination canopy – a special chuppah. And then she was handed her s’meechah, ordination certificate, and introduced as Rabbi Arlene Bernstein, at which point the sanctuary erupted with applause.

Rabbi Ellenson told the new rabbis that in their work it isn’t what you say -- or even what you do -- but how kind you are. People will remember your kindness. That message of kindness truly reflects how we think already of Rabbi Bernstein. We congratulate Rabbi Arlene Bernstein on her magnificent and sacred achievement.