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Name: Rabbi Bernhard Rosenberg

Occupation: Rabbi of Congregation Beth-El Edison for 20 years; teaches public speaking at Rutgers University and at Yeshiva University.

Address: Edison

Family: Married 28 years to Charlene, who works as an office manager. They have four children: Two daughters: Ilana has a master's in early childhood special education and is married to Josh Merl who manages Mendy's on Coney Island Avenue in Brooklyn. They live in Brooklyn with their two children Akiva and Rachel; Ayelet has a master's in early childhood special education, teaches at SRA Riverdale, and is married to Ari Feder, a tax attorney. They live in Riverdale with their 7-year-old daughter Emma. Two sons: Yaakov, a graduate of Yeshiva University, works in sales for a chemical corporation and is married to Avital, who is finishing her nursing degree at UMDNJ. They live in Teaneck. Son Ari just returned from studying two years in Israel, now attending Yeshiva University in New York City.

Community activities: Chaplain of the Department of Public Safety in Edison. Member for 20 years and two-year past president of the Metuchen-Edison Interfaith Council. Chairman of New York Board of Rabbis Holocaust Commission. Served for six years as a member of the N.J. State Holocaust Commission and editor of Holocaust curriculum for New Jersey schools.

Hobbies: "Writing. I write articles for newspapers and I have written eight books."

Self-portrait: "I'm self-motivated and persistent and a fighter for causes."

Motto: "Never give up."

Greatest accomplishment: "My family."

Bad habits: "I don't sleep much so I'm often tired."

Favorite TV: "The History Channel and anything dealing with the Holocaust."

Favorite food: "Hamburgers and mashed potatoes."

Best childhood memory: "Playing with my dog Blackie, a Labrador retriever. I grew up in Kansas City and didn't have any siblings, so my dog was my best friend. He lived for 14 years and he understood Yiddish and he barked in Yiddish."

People don't know that I: "In 1988-89 had my own radio show called 'Jewish Perspective' on station 1330 am at 8 p.m. weekly. I was also the rabbi on the 'Morton Downey Jr. Show' on channel 9 syndicated throughout the country. I did 32 shows with him and exposed the neo-Nazis to America on it. I was also a track star at Southwest High School in Kansas City. I was on the track team and was the third in the state when I ran as a sprinter in the 100 and 200 race."

Last book I read: "'The Trouble with Textbooks: Distorting History and Religion,' by Gary Tobin."

The biggest asset in the local Jewish community: "The religious atmosphere that offers yeshivot, kosher restaurants, and synagogues."

The biggest problem in the local Jewish communities: "For me, it's the loss of the Highland Park 'Y'. It was an asset and was around the corner from my home. I think it's great that we have the Edison JCC. I belong to it, but I would have liked to still have one around the corner."

If I had more time, I would: "Travel more."