B'nai Israel Synagogue operates under the spiritual guidance of Rabbi Jonathan Berger.
Rabbi Berger was born in Kalamazoo and grew up in Teaneck, NJ, where he learned to love Torah and Judaism from his parents – a congregational rabbi and a Judaic studies teacher.
Having attended Jewish day schools from kindergarten through twelfth grade, Rabbi Berger received his undergarduate degree from the University of Michigan, followed by a Master of Arts in Bible and rabbinic ordination from the Jewish Theological Seminary.
Before moving to Detroit, he spent three years with Beth Israel Congregation of Owings Mills, Maryland. In addition to his role with B'nai Israel Synagogue, Rabbi Berger is Rabbi in Residence of Hillel Day School.
Rabbi Berger also enjoys cooking, painting, origami and singing. He and his wife Laura met as students at JTS. They have two young daughters, Talya and Adina.
