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Semikha, Class of 2006
Rabbi Yonatan Cohen
Rabbi, Congregation Beth Israel
Rabbi Yonatan Cohen is the spiritual leader of Congregation Beth Israel (CBI), a Modern Orthodox community in Berkeley, California. Under Rabbi Cohen’s leadership, CBI has significantly grown its membership and broadened its educational programming for youth and adults. Recognizing the community’s innovative educational programming CBI together with Rabbi Cohen were awarded a prestigious grant from the Legacy Heritage Innovation Project for Congregational Education.
Rabbi Cohen is a frequent teacher of Kevah learning groups and at larger community learning opportunities. He has been a guest lecturer on Jewish Medical Ethics at the University of California, Berkeley and on Jewish Liturgy at the Magnes Museum of Jewish Art and Life. He also teaches Jewish Thought to middle school students at Oakland Hebrew Day School.
Rabbi Cohen serves on a variety of Jewish community related boards of directors, including Kevah and Oakland Hebrew Day School. He is a member of the Hartman Rabbinic Advisory Board as well as a Rabbinic Mentor for Yeshivat Chovevei Torah rabbinical students and a mentor to Kevah Teaching Fellows. He previously served on the Board of Directors of Berkeley Hillel.