Senior Rabbi Amy Bernstein
Co-Host of Kehillat Israel Podcasts
Rabbi Bernstein became our Senior Rabbi in July 2014, after serving four years as Associate Rabbi. An Atlanta native, Rabbi Bernstein has a bachelor’s degree in English Literature and Cultural Anthropology from Northwestern University, where she also earned a certificate in Women’s Studies. She is also an alumna of the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College in Philadelphia. Her rabbinic training included one year as a visiting graduate student at Ben Gurion University of the Negev in Israel.
Before coming to KI, Rabbi Bernstein was the rabbi of Temple Israel in Duluth, Minnesota for 14 years. As the only rabbi for several hours in either direction, she represented the Jewish community in the Greater Northland region. She served two terms as president of the Arrowhead Interfaith Council and six years on the Board of Trustees of the College of St. Scholastica, where she was also on the founding board of the Oreck/Alpern Inter-religious Forum. She was a scholar-in-residence for the Jewish Chautauqua Society and lectured widely throughout the Northland.
Outside of her rabbinical work, Rabbi Bernstein performs as a member of Three Altos, a vocal trio.
Rabbi Bernstein is President of the Board of Rabbis of Southern California.
Rabbi Bernstein makes her home in Pacific Palisades with her partner, Judy Griffith, her daughter, Eliana, and their rescue Chihuahua, Olivia.
Senior Rabbi Amy Bernstein has hosted 540 Episodes.
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Shemini III: Kashrut And Justice
March 25th, 2022 | 48 mins 53 secs
Rabbi Amy Bernstein's weekly Torah study class at Kehillat Israel and via Zoom - Leviticus 11:1-47 - March 25. 2022
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Tzav III: Consumption And The Sacred
March 18th, 2022 | 54 mins
Rabbi Amy Bernstein's weekly Torah study class via Zoom - Leviticus 8:1-36 - March 18. 2022
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Vayikra III: Guilt and Purification
March 11th, 2022 | 1 hr 32 secs
Rabbi Amy Bernstein's weekly Torah study class via Zoom - Leviticus 4:27-5:26 - March 11, 2022
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Pekudei III: The Mishkan vs. The Golden Calf
March 3rd, 2022 | 54 mins 10 secs
Rabbi Amy Bernstein's weekly Torah study class via Zoom - Exodus 39:22-40:38 - March 4, 2022
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KI Tisa III: Can We See God? Should We?
February 18th, 2022 | 52 mins 12 secs
Rabbi Amy Bernstein's weekly Torah study class via Zoom - Exodus 33:12-34:35 - February 18, 2022
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Terumah III: Building A Place For God Among/Within Us
February 4th, 2022 | 57 mins 5 secs
Rabbi Amy Bernstein's weekly Torah study class via Zoom - Exodus 26:31-27:19 - February 4, 2022
This podcast includes videos. To view click here and here
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Mishpatim III: First Do, Then Hear
January 28th, 2022 | 1 hr 1 min
Rabbi Amy Bernstein's weekly Torah study class via Zoom - Exodus 23:20-24:18 - January 28, 2022
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1 Topic, 2 Rabbis, 3 Plus Opinions - The Letter of the Law vs. The Spirit of the Law
January 26th, 2022 | 59 mins 4 secs
Rabbis Amy Bernstein and Daniel Sher engage in a spirited discussion of a major issue facing liberal Jews: on what should Jewish practice be based... if anything? Among the subjects they touch on, based on their personal experiences, are Kashrut, tefillin, weaing a yamuke, tallit and circumcision.
This disucssion took place via Zoom on January 26, 2022.
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Yitro: Was Sinai An Initiation Rite?
January 21st, 2022 | 59 mins 29 secs
Rabbi Amy Bernstein's weekly Torah study class via Zoom - Exodus 18:1-20:23 - January 21, 2022
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Beshalach III: The Slow And Difficult Weaning Of The Israelites
January 14th, 2022 | 53 mins 25 secs
Rabbi Amy Bernstein's weekly Torah study class via Zoom - Exodus 14:26-17:16 - January 14, 2022
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Bo III - The Exodus And Jewish Identity
January 7th, 2022 | 57 mins 18 secs
Rabbi Amy Bernstein's weekly Torah study class via Zoom - Exodus 12:29-13:16 - January 7, 2022
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Shemot III: Once Again A Woman Rescues Moses
December 24th, 2021 | 1 hr 3 mins
Rabbi Amy Bernstein's weekly Torah study class via Zoom - Exodus 4:18-6:1 - December 24, 2021
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Vayechi III: Joseph Affirms His Higher Purpose
December 17th, 2021 | 59 mins 27 secs
Rabbi Amy Bernstein's weekly Torah study class via Zoom - Genesis 49:27-50:26 - December 17, 2021
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Vayigash III: Was Joseph A Righteous Man... Or A Despot?
December 10th, 2021 | 55 mins 25 secs
Rabbi Amy Bernstein's weekly Torah study class via Zoom - Genesis 46:28-47:27 - December 10, 2021
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Miketz III: Joseph - A Complex Man Of Many Colors
December 3rd, 2021 | 55 mins 49 secs
Rabbi Amy Bernstein's weekly Torah study class via Zoom - Genesis 43:16-44:17 - December 3, 2021
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Chanukah for Grown Ups 2021
November 29th, 2021 | 1 hr 19 mins
Rabbi Amy Bernstein explores the adult, modern meanings of Chanukah through a series of texts from the Talmud to contemporary commentaries.
This class was conducted in person and via Zoom on the first night of Chanukah, November 28, 2021