Rabbi Edward Feinstein of Valley Beth Shalom is One of the Most Influential Rabbis in America

Senior Rabbi Edward M. Feinstein of Valley Beth Shalom in Encino is still one of the most powerful rabbis in America. He ranked 46 out of 50 on Newsweek's recently released list titled, The 50 Most Influential Rabbis in America. This is the fourth year that Sony Pictures chairman and CEO Michael Lynton and his friend, Time Warner Inc. executive vice president Gary Ginsberg, have compiled the list.

Lynton and Ginsberg became interested in the future of American Jewry and the evolving role of the rabbi and started a conversation that eventually became "the list," according to Newsweek. Each year, they rank the rabbis based on the following criteria:  Are they known nationally/internationally? Do they have political/social influence? Do they have a media presence? Are they leaders within their communities? Are they considered leaders in Judaism or their movements? Size of their constituency. Have they made an impact on Judaism in their career? Have they made a greater impact beyond the Jewish community and their Rabbinical training?

Encino's own Rabbi Feinstein (who ranked no. 44 in 2009) was raised in the back of his parents' bakery in West San Fernando Valley, surrounded by warm Danish, good coffee and the community. Now 56, he instills the same sense of community to lead the conservative congregation of Valley Beth Shalom. Valley Beth Shalom is one of the largest synagogues in L.A. with more than 1,800 member families.

The challenge, he said, is trying to preserve traditional values in a time of constant change. In his efforts to educate his community he stresses three key components: tradition, responsibility and spirituality. In the past year, he focused on creating environmental consciousness and responsibility among his community.

As executive director of Camp Ramah in California in 1990—the largest Jewish children's overnight camp and conference center in the western United States—Feinstein and his colleagues instituted an environmental program to instill a sense of responsibility and purpose in the community. The camp was recognized as a contribution to the community by Ventura County.

"The mothers and fathers were amazed. They would say to me, 'My kid doesn't help around the kitchen and you're telling me that all day long they are cleaning canyons and they are cleaning beaches?'" Feinstein said. "It was really quite remarkable. Even an indulged kid, if you give him a sense of mission and tell him he can accomplish something important in the world, can do it."

Feinstein has seen many effective efforts towards a responsible community since he became a rabbi at Valley Beth Shalom in 1993. Currently, the synagogue is undergoing a similar pursuit towards a green environment through projects including support of local agriculture, recycling and sustainable energy.

Rabbi Noah Farkas, also at Valley Beth Shalom, was one of Feinstein's former students and now colleague. He created a "Green Team," which has been successful in drawing the core of the congregation for a greater sustainable effort.

"We planted a garden in connection with the day school to help educate our children about the process of food production and its impact on the environment," Farkas said. "We have also started a community-supported agriculture project that allows congregants to buy a share of the yield of a local farm. We build a closer connection to the land, we support a family business and we eat organic, locally grown produce thereby reducing the carbon footprint."

According to Feinstein, there are many voices that impede the possibility of making a difference, but giving people a sense of their own ability in the world is part of the ethics taught at Valley Beth Shalom.

"I think it's very important that young people have a sense of who they are," says Feinstein. "[That they] walk the world with care and have the power of imagination to think about how things ought to be and the power and own faith in [themselves] to go off and make it happen. It is important to have a sense that there is a God in the world that blesses you, loves you, cares for you, and expects something of you."

Janet Djalilmand, Senior Administrative Specialist at Valley Beth Shalom, recalls one of Feinstein's inspiring Rosh Hashanah sermons regarding responsibility toward each other, a theme found in many of his sermons.

"He has moved and changed so many people's lives," said Djalilmand. "It's great to be alive at this time and it's a great moment to have prominent rabbis at VBS."

Feinstein currently lives in the San Fernando Valley with his wife Rabbi Nina Bieber Feinstein and their three children.

"They are always yelling at me that I work too hard, but they are terrific people" said Feinstein. "I make up for time not spent with sushi. Sushi heals all wounds."