New Rabbi Brings Enthusiasm and Energy to Camarillo Pulpit

When Rabbi Kenneth Milhander begins teaching Jewish history to students at JFC-Temple Ner Ami’s Torah School this fall, he aims to keep his lessons relevant.

As young students learn a new Hebrew letter, Milhander will also teach the Jewish practices and holidays beginning with that letter.

“I know that there’s more competition for people’s time, but the synagogue has to become a priority in people’s lives,” Milhander said. “Religion gives us a blueprint for life.”

Milhander took over rabbinical duties last month at the synagogue, becoming the first ordained rabbi in the Reform temple’s six-year history. Before that, student and visiting rabbis led the temple’s ceremonies.

But Milhander brings more than an ability to perform life-cycle ceremonies, such as weddings and bar mitzvahs.

“We were all so unanimous about him,” temple President Teri Milner said about the committee that picked Milhander from a handful of candidates. “He seemed to come from the heart. We just sort of fell in love with him.”

The 31-year-old Milhander completed his undergraduate studies in sociology at UCLA and graduate work in Jewish studies at the University of Judaism. He then traveled to Cincinnati for the five-year rabbinical training curriculum at Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion. He was ordained in 1995.

But Milhander’s yearning to be a religious leader began when he was a teenager growing up in Beverly Hills. He recalls the strong admiration he had for the rabbis who gave him his early religious instruction at Temple Emanuel, one of the first Reform temples in the Los Angeles area.

Reverence for his mentors was not the only reason rabbinical life appealed to Milhander.

“What makes it exciting is that you’re with people when they’re at their highest and their weakest,” he said while sitting at his new desk, already stacked with papers.

After Milhander finishes unpacking the three remaining boxes of books in his office, his first, and most important, order of business is to expand the 150-member temple.

Because Temple Ner Ami is the only Reform synagogue between Thousand Oaks and Ventura and Simi Valley and Malibu, Milhander believes there must be scores of Reform Jews looking for a place to worship. He wants to find them.

“The synagogue is here for the Jews of the community,” he said.

Although the temple already offers life-cycle events, Jewish education and worship services, Milhander wants his temple buzzing with energy.

“Nothing would make my heart happier than to see the synagogue full,” Milhander said.

Reaching out to all members of the community is one way Milhander plans to jump-start the young temple. He would like to teach a class at a local college or get involved with community groups.

And it appears the young rabbi has the energy to do it.

“When I wake up, I’m excited about coming in,” Milhander said. “I’m excited about the day.”

Not only does he eagerly anticipate the work ahead, Milhander says it feels good to be home in Southern California. He and his wife, Laura Aron Milhander, appreciate that they are close to their families. Milhander believes it is important for their 14-month-old daughter, Leah, to grow up around her grandparents.

And Camarillo is a perfect place for his family to make its home.

“Everything about it is beautiful,” Milhander said. “It’s the best of L.A. without being right in L.A.”

He said he has felt especially welcomed by temple members, one of whom recently donated a new $2,000 computer for his office. Others have held special dinners for the Milhander family.

“The people here are wonderful,” he said.

The feeling is mutual.

“People feel his warmth, his knowledge,” Milner said. “They just love him.”

And just as the rabbis of his youth influenced him, Milhander hopes he will play the same role for his new community.

“That’s what being a Jew is,” he said. “It’s passing on the tradition to the next generation.”