Congregation Shaarey Tikvah 26811 Fairmount Boulevard Beachwood, Ohio 44122 216-765-8300 Rabbi Edward C. Bernstein

Rabbi Edward C. Bernstein was ordained in 1999 by the Jewish Theological Seminary of America in New York City. He received bachelor degrees from Columbia University and the Jewish Theological Seminary in American History and Bible, respectively. Rabbi Bernstein has studied extensively in Israel, including at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Yeshivat HaMivtar in Efrat, and The Schechter Institute in Jerusalem.

In May, 2008, he became President of the Greater Cleveland Board of Rabbis. He serves on the Community Relations Council of the Jewish Community Federation of Cleveland and on the Board of Trustees of the Jewish Education Center of Cleveland.

Within the Conservative Movement, he is also a member of the International Rabbinical Assembly and serves on its Social Action Committee. He also serves on the board of MERCAZ, the Zionist arm of the Conservative Movement.

Rabbi Bernstein was named one of 14 fellows nationwide to participate in the Legacy Heritage Rabbinic Enrichment Initiative at the Jewish Theological Seminary.

In 2005, Rabbi Bernstein was selected as one of 19 rabbis from across the country to participate in STAR PEER (Synagogues: Transformation and Renewal/Professional Education for Excellence in Rabbis).

Rabbi Bernstein is proud of many achievements since arriving at Shaarey Tikvah in 2003. He spearheaded the formation of the Young Adults Chavura, which launched a significant initiative in 2008, City Fresh East at Shaarey Tikvah. This initiative, in conjunction with City Fresh, helps to provide a more just and sustainable food system in Northeast Ohio. Produce from local farms is brought to Shaarey Tikvah's Fresh Stop, where subscribers may pick up their weekly shares. This model reduces our "carbon footprint," by decreasing the distance our produce has traveled. In addition, the availability of fresh, nutrient-rich produce promotes greater nutrition in our community and mindfulness of food production and the seasons. In 2010, the City Fresh program was updated and renamed as East Side Veggies.

On May 11, 2009, Rabbi Bernstein delivered the invocation at the start of the Cleveland City Council Session.

Rabbi Bernstein also spearheaded Shaarey Tikvah's membership in the Synaplex™ network. In conjunction with the Shaarey Tikvah's Synaplex™ Action Team, Rabbi Bernstein launched Synaplex™ programming in 2008-2009, as a way to enhance Shabbat services and programming and to reinforce the synagogue's three-fold purpose as a Beit Tefillah (House of Worship), Beit Midrash (House of Study) and Beit Knesset (House of Gathering).

Rabbi Bernstein is a proud supporter of Israel and led Congregation Shaarey Tikvah's first mission to Israel in December, 2005-January, 2006.

He has had several articles published in and has been frequently interviewed by the Cleveland Jewish News and other publications. (See Rabbi Bernstein in the News.)

Rabbi Bernstein has had a lifelong connection to Conservative Judaism. He grew up in a traditional Conservative household in the Hyde Park section of Chicago's South Side, attending Congregation Rodfei Zedek each Shabbat. As a teenager, he was an active member at the local, regional and international levels of United Synagogue Youth (USY) serving as the organization's Executive Vice President in 1989.

Prior to his arrival in Cleveland, Rabbi Bernstein served for four years as Associate Rabbi of Beth El Synagogue Center, a 950-family congregation in New Rochelle, N.Y. There, he directed the adult education program, which received the United Synagogue Solomon Schechter Gold Award for Excellence. This program included an annual family retreat weekend, which Rabbi Bernstein created, monthly adult learning services and an intensive adult B'nai Mitzvah program.

Rabbi Bernstein loves sports, especially baseball. He maintains loyalty to Chicago's teams, while he also roots for Cleveland's teams. His wife, Ariella Reback, is an attorney. They have three young children -- Samuel, Noam and Esther.

Email: RabbiECB@shaareytikvah.org