Conservatives pick new rabbi

MELBOURNE’s Conservative congregation Kehilat Nitzan will welcome a new rabbi to step into the shoes of its inaugural leader, Rabbi Ehud Bandel.

American Rabbi Adam Stein will take up the leadership of the shul towards the middle of this year.
Rabbi Stein, from Palo Alto, California, is a graduate of the Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies. He is currently at Congregation Beth Shalom in Kansas City.

Kehilat Nitzan president Zvi Civins described Rabbi Stein’s appointment as a milestone for his congregation.
“All of us who met Rabbi Stein last month were impressed by his commitment to Judaism and learning, his warmth, and his communication skills,” Civins said.

“He is a young, outgoing rabbi. His extensive experience with young people, as well as his commitment to pastoral duties, indicates that he will be able to establish excellent relationships with all age groups of our community, from young families and children, university age members and our more senior members.”

He added that Rabbi Stein is a leader for the 21st century.

A search for a new rabbi began last year with the departure of Rabbi Ehud Bandel, who returned to Israel.

Meanwhile, due to the sale of B’nai B’rith House, Kehilat Nitzan will temporarily return to the Kadimah Centre in Elsternwick from March, while it waits for council approval of a permanent site in Caulfield North.

The property, which was donated to Kehilat Nitzan by congregants Miriam Faine and Greg Shalit, is undergoing environmental approval by Glen Eira Council, after receiving general approval in
late 2009.

Once the congregation receives the green light, it will renovate the Hawthorn Road property, but Civins said he could not place a timeframe on the development.

PETER KOHN

Caption: Former Kehilat Nitzan rabbi Ehud Bandel.