Marshall Allen It’s been a busy three...

Marshall Allen

It’s been a busy three weeks for Rabbi Jonathan Biatch as he

transitions into his new position as spiritual leader of Temple Sinai

of Glendale.

Biatch, 47, came to the temple July 1, filling the position Rabbi

Carole Meyers vacated in June 2001.

The first few weeks have been intense, Biatch said. The rabbi has

been meeting with various leaders of the congregation and members who

are in the hospital or sick at home, all while leading services.

One thing Biatch has enjoyed is being back in the Los Angeles

area, he said.

He grew up in Studio City and has been away for 24 years -- most

recently serving as associate rabbi at Beth El Hebrew Congregation in

Alexandria, Va.

“It’s been a wonderful opportunity to renew my friendships and

introduce my children to this place I’ve known and loved,” he said.

Biatch and his wife, Rabbi Bonnie Margulis, have two children;

Samantha, 8 and Joshua, 5.

Margulis works in a social justice position with the Religious

Coalition for Reproductive Choice.

One of Biatch’s goals is to enhance the love of learning in the

Temple Sinai congregation, he said. This could include bringing young

people together to study with old people, he said.

“Both need to recognize the vitality of each other and the

importance of maintaining ties with each other,” Biatch said. “Even

young kids have a certain joy and sensitivity they can share with the

old.”

Another of Biatch’s goals is to increase the congregation’s

awareness of its spiritual and historical home -- Israel.

“Israel is the basis upon which most of what we do is built,” he

said.

Biatch also looks forward to the ministry of Temple Sinai

extending throughout the Glendale community, he said.

For instance, through promoting and encouraging diversity, people

can come to understand that each individual -- regardless of color

of skin, beliefs or sexual orientation -- is made in God’s image, he

said.

“If we understand that as a postulate we are apt to treat other

people as if they had divinity within them, and that can only be for

the good,” Biatch said.