RABBI CAITLIN BROMBERG
Rabbi Caitlin Bromberg is a native Californian, born in Berkeley and raised in San Diego. She earned a BA in Theater and Anthropology from the University of California San Diego, Cantorial Ordination from the Jewish Theological Seminary of America (JTS), and Rabbinic Ordination from the Academy of Jewish Religion Los Angeles (AJRCA).
Rabbi Bromberg grew up singing folk music and Broadway show tunes, with a strong academic interest in world religions, cultures and history. After a period of learning, exploring, singing and synagogue involvement, Rabbi Bromberg became Jewish and served as a High Holy Day Cantorial Soloist in her first year as a Jew. Rabbi Bromberg continued as a cantorial soloist in Reform synagogues for several years, followed by a period of involvement in the Conservative and Modern Orthodox communities, including the completion of an Orthodox conversion. Her relocation to the Southwest opened the door to the eclectic worlds of Jewish Renewal and Reconstructionist Jewish expressions. Rabbi Bromberg grew as a cantorial soloist, lifecycle officiant, teacher and Jewish professional, spending several years in positions at the Jewish Federation. It was during this period that she entered JTS, a decision that forever changed her life. After cantorial ordination, Rabbi Bromberg served Conservative congregations in Texas, New Mexico, and New Jersey. “It was in El Paso, Tx and Albuquerque, NM that I began to teach returning Crypto-Jews from Mexico, Central and South America.” I helped facilitate their absorption into Jewish life; one of the reasons I was interested in Congregation Beth Shalom.”
While serving Temple Israel, Ridgewood, New Jersey, Rabbi Bromberg managed the Introduction to Judaism program for the Union for Reform Judaism in New York. Feeling fulfilled as a Cantor, Rabbi Bromberg sought new challenges. Her pastoral skills were deepened through service as a chaplain for the Albuquerque Police Department. She was asked to fill in for the rabbi in her congregations, and to serve as interim rabbi in congregations on the East and West coasts. These experiences steered Rabbi Bromberg in the direction of rabbinical studies.
Rabbi Bromberg is excited by the opportunity to bring her multi-denominational Jewish journey to serve Congregation Beth Shalom, a diverse Jewish community enriched by Latino members and Jews-By-Choice. “My mission and vision is to Congregation Beth Shalom Center for Jewish Life grow into a more vibrant, inclusive Jewish community where Jews of all backgrounds, expressions and spiritual identities, including Jewish Adjacent, Jewishly Curious, Jews of Color, LGBTQ Jews and their families to build satisfying and meaningful Jewish lives. Because of our diversity, we can be a congregation that lives and shares the Jewish values of chesed (loving kindness), tzedakah (social and economic justice), tikkun olam (repairing brokenness in our world), and shalom (peace and wholeness) with each other, the community of Modesto and Stanislaus County, and beyond.”
Rabbi Bromberg looks forward to furthering the prophetic ideals of social justice and peace while promoting spiritual and psychological healing. She looks forward to creating a cozy new home with a cat and watching Rafi act and sing.