Temple Beth Haverim welcomes new rabbi to its clergy

By Lori Porter Acorn Staff Writer

Rabbi Lynne Kern

Temple Beth Haverim of Agoura Hills has added an extraordinary touch to its clergy with the recent addition of Rabbi Lynne Kern.

When Senior Rabbi Gershon Johnson heard about Kern’s program, "Timbrels through Torah," a women’s institute where women gather to learn more about the stories that reflect their lives within the Jewish tradition, he knew Kern belonged at Temple Beth Haverim.

Growing up, Kern was inspired by rabbis and longed for a life of studying God’s word.

It was Kern’s own words, however, that cleared her path toward the rabbinical. When Kern entered college, women couldn’t become ordained, so she followed her second passion: writing. Kern became a journalist.

She earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of California San Diego and went on to earn a master’s degree in journalism from the University of Missouri, and then spent 12 years working as a newspaper and magazine reporter.

As a result of her work with the Kansas City Star where she a wrote a series of stories covering the collapse of the Hyatt Hotel in Kansas City, Kern won a Pulitzer Prize.

After marrying and becoming a mother, Kern––wanting to spend more time at home––took a job as a creative director at an advertising agency and worked there for five years.

Finally, after many years of longing to be a rabbi, an opportunity opened for Kern to go to seminary when the Ziegler School at the University of Judaism in Los Angeles received grant money for the establishment of a rabbinical seminary.

Kern’s greatest interest is in working with women, but she also loves working with teenagers. "They are our future," she says.

She loves showing others how to tap into their spirituality in creative ways. Kern says she believes in the spirituality of imperfection, meaning simply that any relationship with God involves accepting our human shortcomings and imperfections.

"My life experiences, missions and talents have enabled me to meld my creativity with our traditions," said Kern, "in ways that seem to touch people and help them to connect and better interpret the relevancy of Judaism."

Kern will work closely with adult education programs, the Early Childhood Center and the teen and senior members of the congregation.

Joining the educational roster at the synagogue will be Kern’s previously established women’s institute, "Timbrels Through Torah."

Kern said she’s looking forward to creating a Rosh Chodesh monthly study group for women, integrating alternative creative services and Shabbat experiences which will include a women’s minyan and a learner’s minyan, in addition to Torah and Talmud study groups.

Being confident that her talent for writing, speaking and teaching are God-given gifts, Kern says she’s thrilled that an opportunity has opened for that work to be done at Temple Beth Haverim.

"Rabbi Kern brings to our synagogue a special talent in helping people develop and express their spirituality," said Johnson. "With classes geared toward women, Torah study and experimental programs, she will add much to our synagogue’s outreach to the community."

Kern is thankful to her husband, Russell, and her three children, Michelle, a sophomore at USC, Sean and Hillary, both Calabasas High School students, for their cooperation in helping her become a rabbi.

In a recent letter of introduction, Kern encouraged the congregation at Temple Beth Haverim to introduce themselves when they see her, quoting one of the sages as saying, "Seek for yourself a teacher and you will acquire for yourself a friend."

Temple Beth Haverim is a conservative congregation that serves the west San Fernando and Conejo valleys. The temple is at 29900 Ladyface Court in Agoura Hills.

For membership information and open house dates, please call the temple at (818) 991-7111 or visit the Internet Website at www.templebethhaverim.org.