From Providence’s East Side to western Massachusetts

Providence’s Josh Breindel, now leading his congregation at Temple Anshe Amunim in Pittsfield, Mass., was recently interviewed by The Jewish Voice. Excerpts of that interview follow:

Q. First, a little about your Rhode Island roots. Where did you grow up? Where did you go to school – both secular and religious?

A. I went to Moses Brown (my mom still teaches Classics there!) from 1st through 12th grade. I served as Jewish rep for the student body on the Religious Life Committee board in High School. I attended Temple Emanu-El Hebrew school for several years – I have the warmest of memories of [the late] Lea Eliash and Mrs. (Varda) Lev.

I received private tutoring with Chabad for my bar mitzvah ceremony. I hung out with my parents at Friday Group through Brown Hillel (my dad was a grad student there) for many happy years.

Q. Did you belong to any Jewish organizations here?

A. None beyond the ones listed above … though I did go to quite a few BBYO events as a guest with friends. And, of course, we were members of the JCC for many years … happy memories of programs, games and social time at the gym and pool!

Q. What was your college experience?

A. I attended Brandeis University and graduated in 1997. I was very active in Hillel and its theatre group … and helped found Manginah (Hebrew for melody, Manginah is Brandeis’ a capella singing group).

Q. Did you participate in any trips to Israel?

A. I didn’t go until later in life. I went to Israel as part of a Combined Jewish Philanthropies solidarity trip in 2001. I traveled to Israel again while in seminary in 2007.

Q. When and how did you catch the “religious service bug”?

A. After graduation from college, I was looking for a religious community and started teaching at Temple Shir Tikvah in Winchester, Mass. I discovered that not only did I really enjoy teaching, I had a talent for it. Teaching, and later serving as the Assistant Director of Education, helped bring me in to the core of the community. I loved feeling that I was helping people to fall in love with Judaism … . My youth group students, oddly, were my real inspiration to enter the rabbinate. They kinda bullied me into it.

Q. So, what are you doing now?

A. After receiving a Masters in Jewish Studies and another in Jewish Education, I entered the rabbinics program at Hebrew College. I’m currently serving as rabbi for Temple Anshe Amunim in Pittsfield, Mass. I just completed a two-year term as President of the Pittsfield Area Council of Congregations – the first rabbi to hold that post. I teach throughout Berkshire County and serve as an area resource for Judaism and spiritual topics. And I’m married with two young kids – that definitely qualifies for “what I’m doing now.”

Q. What’s the best lesson you’ve ever learned or advice you’ve ever received?

A. “Love your neighbor as yourself,” that’s the essence of the Torah; all the rest is commentary – go study! (paraphrasing Rabbi Hillel)

Q. The best you’ve given?

A. Take a breath before answering – it’s calming and reminds me to be patient.

Q. Anything else you’d like our readers to know?

A. Providence – and Little Rhody – helped shape me; wherever I go, I’ll always take its hills and buildings with me. Its Jewish community inspired me to find ways to appreciate the many ways in which Judaism can be practiced. I’ve found great blessings when I’ve invested in Jewish communities – often when I’ve least expected it!

Rabbi Josh Breindel can be reached at (rabbijosh@ansheamunim.org).

Editor’s Note: The article is one of an occasional series of stories of young Rhode Islanders who have left Rhode Island and continue to serve the larger Jewish communal world. If you are or if you know of a per-son with a similar experience, please contact Arthur Norman at anorman@jewishallianceri.org or at 421-4111, ext.168.