Bergenfield—Congregation Beth Abraham voted last week to add Rabbi Moshe Tzvi Weinberg to its rabbinic staff which already includes the highly respected team of Mara D’Asra Rabbi Yaakov Neuburger and Assistant Rabbi Tanchum Cohen. Rabbi Weinberg, who teaches widely in the community and at Yeshiva University, will hold the title of mashpia (spiritual mentor).

Rabbi Weinberg’s brilliant humor, charisma and sensitivity, combined with his adept scholarship, have rendered him a sought after speaker in the Teaneck area community and beyond. He already manages a growing minyan at Congregation Beth Abraham for those interested in nusach sefard liturgies, mussar and chassidish melodies. Rabbi Weinberg grew up in Teaneck and has lived in the Bergenfield community for close to a decade; he teaches in Yeshiva University’s Irving I. Stone Beit Midrash Program (SBMP), where he also serves as mashgiach ruchani. He is also in charge of the weekly night seder at Heichal HaTorah of Teaneck. Rabbi Weinberg has worked as a Jewish educator for the past 13 years, and has previously taught at Torah Academy of Bergen County and The Moriah School.

“Rav Weinberg is a charismatic teacher and culling from a breadth of mussar and chassidic writings, he has found the words and the messages to inspire a significant segment of our community and far beyond, even as he enjoys a substantial following among young men and women of high school and college ages,” said Rabbi Neuburger, in a letter to the shul’s membership announcing the proposal, which, he wrote, was also enthusiastically supported by Rabbi Cohen.

“I believe his presence in our shul has already contributed to the recent growth that we have seen. The minyan over which he has presided has been well attended by veteran Beth Abraham members, new ones and potentials as well,” said Rabbi Neuburger.

Rabbi Weinberg’s appointment was overwhelmingly supported by the membership. “I am confident that our shul and Rav Moshe Tzvi will reap much nachat together as we all work to further enhance and grow the services and offerings we provide to our kehilla,” wrote Elie Konigsberg, Congregation Beth Abraham’s president.

By Elizabeth Kratz