Seattle Synagogue Ordains First Rabbi

SEATTLE, May 27 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- A unique event for Seattle's Jewish
Community takes place June 6 when 38-year-old Olivier BenHaim is ordained as a
rabbi of Bet Alef by Rabbi Ted Falcon, founding rabbi of Bellevue's Bet Alef
Meditative Synagogue

Usually, rabbis are trained at seminaries and then hired by congregations. In
this case, Bet Alef had unique rabbinic requirements which are not included as
part of a seminary's curriculum. Mr. BenHaim came alive to the desire to be
rabbi within the context of this community, which then elected to support him
in his training as a rabbinic intern.

That process has been underway for four years under the tutelage of Rabbi
Falcon. Mr. BenHaim's internship at Bet Alef has also included a 5-month
chaplaincy training program at Swedish Hospital. He also has conducted
services and led family programs for the congregation.

Following his ordination, Mr. BenHaim will become a rabbi of Bet Alef
Meditative Synagogue. Rabbi Falcon will continue his involvement as founding
rabbi.

Rabbi Falcon notes that this ordination is unusual and that recognition will
not be automatic among other rabbis or some members of the public. "But that
will come as Olivier establishes himself within the Bet Alef community and
within the larger community," says Rabbi Falcon.

"Olivier will have the opportunity to continue his rabbinic training in the
context of leading the congregation. In this sense, the community continues
its commitment to raise its next rabbi, because 'it takes a community to raise
a rabbi,'" adds Rabbi Falcon.

This ordination comes a year after celebrating the fortieth anniversary of
Rabbi Falcon's own ordination. Rabbi Falcon also founded Makom Ohr Shalom in
Los Angeles, California. Rabbi Falcon's books include Judaism For
Dummies,Journey of Awakening, and coming this July, Getting to the Heart of
Interfaith: The Eye-Opening, Hope-Filled Friendship of a Pastor, a Rabbi, and
a Sheikh.

Mr. BenHaim was born in France and grew up in Cannes. He lived in Israel for
8 years before moving to the United States. He is married to Ms. Amy Bearmon
and they have two children, Amalya, 8, and Lior, 5.

The ordination ceremony will take place at 10:30AM on Saturday, June 6, at
Unity of Bellevue, 16330 NE 4th Street, Bellevue, WA 98008. All are welcome to
attend.

SOURCE Bet Alef Meditative Synagogue

Bud Green of Bet Alef Meditative Synagogue, +1-206-388-3532
marketsource@comcat.net, or Bet Alef Meditative Synagogue, +1-206-527-9399