Rabbi Bella Bogart is a gifted cantor, Spiritual Leader, teacher and musician, who has served the Jewish community since 1982. For nearly 30 years, Rabbi Bella has engaged, inspired and motivated adults and children, leading services, teaching, facilitating lifecycle ceremonies and performing in concert, all over the country. Her lifelong love of Jewish music led Rabbi Bella to record her first original songs in 1976; she is currently working on her seventh CD.

Prior to moving to California in 2000, Bella held the position of cantor at Ramat Shalom, the Reconstructionist synagogue, in Plantation, Florida, for eighteen years. After arriving in Northern California in 2000, eight years of congregational leadership prompted "Cantor Bella" to enroll as a rabbinic student in the ALEPH ordination program.

Congregation Shir Shalom welcomed Bella, and her husband, Dillon Walsh, as members in 2008 and happily engaged her as our Cantor for the High Holy Days the following year. In the summer of 2010, Bella began serving as the Spiritual Leader of our congregation.

Rabbi Bella immediately became a candidate for rabbinic ordination through The Jewish Spiritual Leadership Institute in New York City. On August 27, 2011, Rabbi Bella Bogart was ordained as "Rav u' Madrich Ru-chani B'mso-rot Ha-y'hudit Lib-ri'lit" (Rabbi & Spiritual Leader in Liberal Jewish Traditions). This ordination certifies that she has trained in all areas of Jewish study and Jewish Lifecycles and is qualified to lead a liberal Jewish Community.

Rabbi Bella is a member of OHALAH, the Association of Rabbis for Jewish Renewal. She is continuing her studies in the ALEPH program, working toward a second rabbinic ordination.

Educated and raised in modern-Orthodox New York culture, Rabbi Bella developed a deep understanding and abiding love of our tradition. During her career she has engaged with individuals and communities from all streams of Judaism and became devoted to creating a warm, welcoming atmosphere for everyone, with inclusive worship, rituals and learning. Rabbi Bella is also committed to building interfaith bridges within our community and beyond, and holds a core theology of Jewish Universalism.

Rabbi Bella & Dillon currently reside in beautiful Benicia. Their blended family includes six (grown) children, their spouses and seven amazing grandchildren...thus far!



Download some of Rabbi Bella's music below. (You may need to install Quicktime to listen.)