NEW RABBI: Rabbi Harold F. Caminker, who...

NEW RABBI: Rabbi Harold F. Caminker, who recently led a thriving synagogue in suburban Chicago, began duties this week as spiritual leader of Temple Solael in West Hills, a congregation that was racked with strife before its previous rabbi of 21 years accepted an early retirement plan this year.

Caminker, 42, whose Reform synagogue in Buffalo Grove, Ill., doubled its rolls to 800 families during his eight years there, has also served congregations in New Jersey and Alabama.

A graduate of Michigan State University, Caminker received a master of Hebrew letters degree from Hebrew Union College in Los Angeles in 1975 on his way to ordination at the college’s Cincinnati campus in 1978.

Caminker succeeds Rabbi Bernard M. Cohen, 62, whose publicly unspecified conflicts with the board of the West Hills synagogue led to arbitration by a national committee in the Reform wing of Judaism. Following recommendations of the panel, Cohen left his position last month and was given the title of rabbi emeritus. Cohen continues to lead a health care-related clergy network he founded in 1989 and remains active with the Valley Interfaith Council.

“The leadership of Temple Solael has proclaimed a time of ‘new beginnings’ for the congregation, and for me it’s a personal opportunity to bring a new family spirit of warmth,” Caminker said.

Caminker’s training includes completion of a two-year interfaith clergy program in pastoral counseling at the Postgraduate Center for Mental Health in New York City.

MELKITE LEADER: Patriarch Maximos V. Hakim, the Damascus-based spiritual leader of Melkite Catholics worldwide, will be the main celebrant of the Divine Liturgy at 10 a.m. Sunday at St. Anne Melkite Church, 11211 Moorpark St., North Hollywood.

The patriarch has made at least three visits in recent years to St. Anne, the only Melkite parish in Los Angeles County. Melkite Catholics are of Arabic origin and have ancient roots in Antioch, Jerusalem and Alexandria.

More information is available at (818) 761-2034.

MUSICAL TOUR: After six shows this week at other California churches, the 50-member Life Assurance Company of Encino’s Bethel Lutheran Church will return to its own sanctuary for a final performance at 7:30 p.m. Sunday.

“Words of Life,” co-written by Bethel musical director Glenn Hecox, is performed by members of the high school and college-age group at the church, 17500 Burbank Blvd.

Admission to the concert is free, although an offering will be taken. More information is available at (818) 788-2653.

‘GODSPELL’: The musical “Godspell” will be presented twice next weekend in Antelope Valley churches by the Foothill Community Players, a church-based troupe from Pasadena.

“Godspell,” based on the Gospel of Matthew, will be performed at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Calvary Chapel of Palmdale, a congregation that meets at Yucca Elementary School, 38440 2nd St. East in Palmdale. Call (805) 947-9264 for more information.

The troupe of 10 actors and five musicians then moves to Twin Lakes Community Church in Lake Los Angeles to perform at 7:30 p.m. July 25. The church is located at 170th St. and Lake Los Angeles Boulevard and may be reached at (805) 264-1215.

News and announcements for this column can be sent to: Religion Desk, Los Angeles Times, 20000 Prairie St., Chatsworth 91311.