Rabbi Jonathan Bernhard

After 25 years at Adat Ari El, a wonderfully vibrant Los Angeles congregation, Rabbi Jonathan Bernhard decided to step away from the pulpit to explore new and meaningful ways of contributing to the Jewish community. This journey led him to become the Director of Clergy Engagement at the Center for Jewish Food Ethics, co-found the Valley Chevra Kadisha, and work toward bringing green burial practices to the Jewish community. In July 2025, he will become the rabbi at Temple Shalom of the South Bay.

He and his wife Laurie live in the San Fernando Valley and they have 3 grown sons, 2 dogs who sleep on their bed, and 4 noisy chickens.