Bamberger, Bernard J. (Bernard Jacob), 1904-1980

Bernard Bamberger's rabbinate was a rare one, in that he excelled simultaneously as a pastor for his own congregation, and as a respected academic. After growing up in Baltimore, Maryland (under the watchful eye of Rabbi William Rosenau) Bamberger graduated with an A.B. from Johns Hopkins University in 1923. Rosenau vouched for Bamberger's skills, and so Bamberger was able to spend his time at the Hebrew Union College concentrating on advanced studies. He received ordination there in 1926, and his Doctorate of Divinity (at the time, equivalent to a Ph. D.) in 1929. Concurrent to his D.D. courses, he served as rabbi to Temple Israel of Lafayette, Indiana. From 1929-1944, he served as rabbi at Temple Beth Emeth in Albany, New York.

In 1944, Bamberger accepted a call to serve as rabbi of Congregation Shaaray Tefila in New York City. During his tenure there (1944-1970), he oversaw the congregation's historic move from the West Side of Manhattan to the East Side.

...