South Herts and Edgware Masorti (SHEMA) has appointed its new community rabbi from the United States. Michigan-local Zachary Bernstein-Rothberg, a soon-to-be graduate from the Jewish Theological Seminar, will take up the vacant post this August.
The Borehamwood-based merger was established in 2021, combining Borehamwood and Edgeware’s Masorti communities, and has lacked a rabbi for some years. Rabbi Zachary’s appointment comes after plans to locate services permanently in Borehamwood.
Joined by his husband, Zachary Carruthers-Rothberg, who will be completing his rabbinic training this coming year, Rabbi Zachary attained a degree in political science and religious studies in Washington D.C., a master’s at JTS, and four congregation internships in the United States.
“I am so excited to be coming to work with this community,” he told the JC. “Everyone has been so kind and welcoming, the energy and dedication of the people is spectacular, and I am honoured and excited to be a part of SHEMA’s next chapter.”
Having been acquainted with the congregation at a communal Shabbat dinner, Zachary was unanimously voted in as rabbi according to SHEMA’s website. Co-chairs David Grossman and Steven Lux said: “We are absolutely delighted with the community’s approval of Zachary Bernstein-Rothberg to be the new community rabbi of SHEMA. This is an exciting moment in our history and we are looking forward to a new era of Jewish connection, commitment and education under his leadership.”
SHEMA was launched in 2021 as a merger of Borehamwood and Edgeware’s Masorti communities under the then-joint rabbi, Rabbi Danny Newman, to accommodate Borehamwood’s growing number of young Jewish families. Since its establishment, SHEMA – whose name was selected by a community-wide poll – has provided its 250 household-strong congregation with a youth and adult study programme, communal Kabbalat Shabbat dinners, and weekly morning services complete with children’s activities.
SHEMA will host its final Shabbat service in the Edgeware location on May 9.
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