Jason Cohen
November 21, 2008
After a two-year search for a new rabbi, the East Brunswick Jewish Center has selected Rabbi Aaron Benson of Los Angeles, who will be installed on Dec. 19.
Benson said he is very excited about being the rabbi at the East Brunswick Jewish Center.
"The EBJC is a truly welcoming, proactive community," Benson said.
Benson said the transition to New Jersey so far has been great, but there is always an adjustment period.
"Anytime you change synagogues it's a big change," he said.
Benson grew up in Aurora, Ill., a suburb outside of Chicago and moved out to California in 1998. He was ordained as a rabbi in 2003 at the Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies at American Jewish University in Los Angeles. While attending rabbinical school he interned at Congregation Beth Meier in Los Angeles. After interning, he became the rabbi there for eight years.
He said his mentor was Rabbi Meier Schimmel, who passed away in 2005.
"He was ordained in Germany in 1934 and was the founder of the first synagogue, where I served in Studio City before I came here, and was a big inspiration to me," Benson said.
Benson said he helped Congregation Beth Meier grow, but it was time for change.
"It was the proper time for my family to look for something new," Benson said.
He said part of the reason that he chose to take the position was that his wife, Isabella Smith, has family in the New York area.
"Certainly the idea of being close to my wife's family was important," he said.
Benson said the search for a new position began through the Conservative movement because they provide a list of vacancies for rabbis online throughout the country.
"East Brunswick was the type of community I wanted," he said.
Overall, East Brunswick is a great town, he said.
"I perceived an opportunity for the synagogue, for all the members who contribute to making it happen," Benson said.
Benson said one his goals for the synagogue is to work with the community and build relationships.
"My sense is that this first year is about getting to know each other," Benson said. "I'm helping to really establish for the community what kind of special synagogue the EBJC is."
Benson said he plans to improve the youth programs in the synagogue, and the adult education as well.
The EBJC is unique and is one of the flagship synagogues of the East Brunswick area, he said.
"The synagogue really excels in a welcoming and friendly environment," he said.
Benson, who is 32 years old, also has a 9-and-a-half-month-old son named Montgomery.
Amy Schoenfeld, the co-president of the temple and a resident of East Brunswick, said the process of finding a rabbi involved a search committee looking at r�sum�s, conducting phone interviews, and even testing some of the candidates out at EBJC.
"Eight to 10 candidates had phone interviews, and based on the phone interviews, two candidates were asked to come to East Brunswick to have Shabbat," Schoenfeld said. "Choosing a rabbi took a lot of time and soul searching."
She said Benson has many great qualities, and no specific agenda.
"There were his background, he is quite learned, his personality, his great people skills, and he is perceptive," Schoenfeld said.
She said the interim rabbi Mitchell Romirowsky was there for a year.
"We used that time to go through separation and look for a new rabbi," Schoenfeld said.
He's going to be a wonderful asset to the shul, Schoenfeld said.
"He's young, but has an old soul," she said.
She said some of the congregants are very excited, while others are very anxious toward the new rabbi, she said.
"Once you get to know him, you become one of his fans," she said.
This is a new chapter for the East Brunswick Jewish Center and the members of the shul are ready for him, she said.
"The EBJC is undergoing a huge revitalization, this is just going to be the additional momentum we need," Schoenfeld added.
Mickey Kaufman, the head of the search committee and a resident of East Brunswick, said the rabbi had many strong personality traits that stood out to the members of the committee.
"His energy, intellect, personality, and commitment," Kaufman said. "We like the fact that he was on the young side."
Because of the rabbi's age, the temple feels he can attract new young families, Kaufman said.
"I think he's terrific, he's exactly what the shul needs," Kaufman said.
Kaufman said the congregation is very excited for the new rabbi. He said he hopes the relationship between Benson and the shul will be long and productive.
"I think having a permanent rabbi will be positive for the congregation," he said.
The installation dinner is being chaired by shul member Elissa Smith. Smith said the dinner the dinner ties together Hanukkah with the rededication of the temple.
"We're actually planning to send out 700 invitations," she said. "We have 650 members and I'm hoping to have 200 to 300 people."
She said everyone in the synagogue is very excited and anxious for Benson's arrival.
"The synagogue has been in turmoil and lacking a religious leader," she said. "I'm very excited, he's young, has great ideas, and energized. I think he's going to bring a lot to the community."
However, it is going to be a big adjustment with a new rabbi, Smith said.
"People are reaching out to make him feel comfortable," Smith said. "The invitation to the dinner will have a card where people can put greetings for the rabbi."
The other co-president, Scott Alter of East Brunswick, said he is very excited about Benson coming to the East Brunswick Jewish Center.
"I think he's very knowledgeable," Alter said.
The rabbi has expressed eagerness in helping all of the groups of the temple, he said.
"My 16-year-old is excited, my wife is very excited, and I'm absolutely thrilled," Alter said.