Straight from Hollywood, New Rabbi Comes to Town

Ben Goldstein, 33, is a former actor who spent 10 years in Los Angeles trying to make a name for himself. He's hoping to bring some of his youthful energy to the community as the new rabbi at Temple Beth-El Mekor Chayim in Cranford. The temple serves the conservative Jewish population in Westfield and Cranford.

While Goldstein said it was hard to leave behind his dream of being an actor, he knew in his heart it was the right decision. Goldstein taught Hebrew and worked with a Jewish youth group in Los Angeles while trying to get acting gigs.

"Eventually I found that more fulfilling than acting," Goldstein said.

Goldstein spent five years studying at the Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies in LA. He said he still has moments when he misses acting, especially when he talks to his friends who are still doing it.

"I know in the back of my head that I'm a much better rabbi than actor," he said.

Goldstein also hopes to bring his love of theater and acting to the temple. He wants to start a community theater which will perform twice a year – once with young people and another time with people of all ages. He said the plays wouldn't focus strictly on religion but would touch upon Jewish life.

Goldstein, along with his wife and child, moved from Los Angeles in August and he immediately started working at Temple Beth El Mekor.

Goldstein said typically in Jewish religious services there's very little talk about spirituality – however his goal is to bring that dimension of Judiasm forward in his services. His approach to the job has made a big impression on many congregants.

"He's like a breath of fresh air and we are so excited to be working together. I love his spirit and enthusiasm," said Tamara Ruben, Director of Education at the temple. 

Goldstein said his main goal is to increase the synagogue's membership and add to the already 250 families who belong there. He said a lot of people come to programs being offered by the temple but then don't come back. He wants to develop a membership system that allows people to feel a connection to the temple and the community there.

"[I want] people to feel that they have a sense of ownership. That they can roll up their sleeves and become active participants," he said.

Goldstein said he plans to hold some meetings to reach out to people who are not members of the synagogue.

"I want to know why people aren't members. I want to know why people are not joining," he said.

But so far Goldstein said he's very encouraged by the direction things are heading in.

"It's been a lot of good work," he said. "The community is fantastic."

Temple administrators did have doubts at first about hiring a rabbi fresh from school. But Goldstein stood out from the rest. His interview blossomed into a discussion about religious philosophy. 

 "We were so impressed, we invited him here," said temple president Elliot Ballen. After a weekend in the pulpit, many members of the temple community just knew.

When asked to describe why he felt Goldstein was the right man for the job, Ballen answered, "have you ever met someone that you you felt that you've known your whole life?"