More News

As the first rabbi of Beth Joshua Congregation, Yoel Oz says he hopes to help grow the Jewish community around the Aspen Hill synagogue as well as provide spiritual guidance.

"My goal is really to attract new families to the area and create a warm, open and friendly environment," he said.

Oz, who led his first Shabbat service Aug. 21, was hired in May to head up Beth Joshua, the synagogue that serves the Melvin J. Berman Hebrew Academy and meets in its building.

The Modern Orthodox congregation had lacked a formal rabbi throughout its approximately 65-year-long history, said Judy Mehlman, a Berman spokeswoman. Berman staff and members of the congregation had led prayers and services.

Oz was hired because he already had a good relationship with Berman — he had taught Judaic studies at the school until about two years ago — and possessed the friendly personality needed to draw people to the synagogue, Shmuli Soloveichik, president of Beth Joshua, said

"We needed a rabbi to teach instruction and by example, and Rabbi Oz is the person who can do that," he said. "He has both the knowledge and inclination to teach and the friendly and conciliatory nature necessary to manage diverse personalities, as well as the sense of authority necessary for a well-functioning shul."

Oz will also teach at Berman Academy as well, Headmaster Joshua Levisohn said. The first day of classes was Thursday.

Oz said he is a little nervous, but excited to lead Beth Joshua. The 29-year-old Bronx, N.Y., native recently received his rabbinical ordination from Yeshiva University and formerly served as the assistant rabbi at Kesher Israel in Georgetown.

"Everyone has been very warm and welcoming and I'm looking forward to the opportunity to help build and grow a community," he said, adding he hopes to develop more programs and create additional opportunities for community service.

Levisohn said he believes Oz will be a great community leader.

"He's young, he's thoughtful and he's energetic," he said. "It's hard to grow a small, modest community like the one we have now, but I think he's up to the task."