Heritage Florida Jewish News - Central Florida's Independent Jewish Voice

Congregation Beth Am has engaged Rabbi David Barnett to be their interim rabbi. He started on June 15, 2021. The Rabbinic Search Committee chaired by Steven Gordon, after having interviewed many qualified candidates, recommended Rabbi Barnett to the congregation. Rabbi Barnett will serve for one year. A primary focus of an interim rabbi is to work with the congregation's leadership and membership to establish a strategic plan for the congregation's future and to use his experience and expertise to help find a suitable long-term rabbi for Beth Am.

An accomplished singer and musician, Rabbi Barnett received a B.A. in East Asian Studies from the University of Washington. He received a bachelor's degree in Hebrew Literature from the University of Judaism in Los Angeles and earned his master's degree and ordination from the Jewish Theological Seminary in New York.

When asked his vision, Barnett replied, "Having filled roles of both rabbi and cantor in smaller congregations over several decades in long-term positions as well as the more recent successful engagement in four interim positions as a rabbi serving larger congregations, I yearn to continue to apply these developed models of success. I am inspired to promote a strong sense of vision and community and to provide dynamic leadership for growth and stability."

He added, "In the wake of or a devastating and often lonely year of fear, isolation and constraints on social interaction and normal patterns of living, Congregation Beth Am stands poised to welcome all Jews, regardless of background, to a warm and close-knit community where everyone is recognized as a unique person and appreciated."

Congregation Beth Am has a long history of serving the Jewish community in Central Florida and was the first Conservative congregation in Seminole County. Looking to build on the tradition of a congregation built for the congregants, Rabbi Barnett said, "Appreciating our Jewish legacy where tradition has a strong vote but not a veto, at Beth Am we will encourage open-minded and creative approaches to finding enduring meaning in nurturing and growing personal relationships within the context of an inspired, dynamic and welcoming community."

Dan Williams, co-president of Congregation Beth Am, commented, "We are excited to have Rabbi Barnett as our interim rabbi and we look forward to a year of growth and opportunity. In addition, I want the community to know that a new location, centrally located in Seminole County, has been chosen for Beth Am and we anticipate making the formal announcement shortly. For more information on what is happening at Beth Am, I encourage people to visit our redesigned web site at http://www.CongBethAm.org."