New rabbi takes helm at Kingsbridge temple

The Kingsbridge Center of Israel has a new rabbi — David Jonas.

He took the reins of the Orthodox congregation a little more than three weeks ago, after serving as an intern at the Hebrew Institute of Riverdale. He hopes to breathe new life into the congregation, which has dwindled in recent years, he said.

Rabbi Jonas grew up in Riverdale and attended the Salanter Akiba Riverdale Academy. KCI is the first synagogue where he will serve as the official rabbi, he said.

His first visit to the temple from HIR was some months ago.

“I came down there as a show of good will, and I fell in love with the place,” Rabbi Jonas said. “It has a very different feel to it.”

The congregation of KCI has shrunk in recent years due to both the changing demographics of Kingsbridge and the aging of the members, he said. There are currently about 50 members.