Our Clergy
Rabbi Jan Uhrbach is the founding rabbi of The Bridge Shul, having served as spiritual leader of our congregation since 1999. In addition to her congregational work, Rabbi Uhrbach is also Director of the Block/Kolker Center for Spiritual Arts at the Jewish Theological Seminary, where she served as Interim Dean of the Division of Religious Leadership & Pearl Resnick Dean of the Rabbinical School.
Rabbi Uhrbach is also a well-known teacher of Torah and a gifted writer and liturgist. She was Associate Editor of Siddur Lev Shalem for Shabbat and Festivals and the recently published Siddur Lev Shalem for Weekdays, and was on the Editorial Committee of Machzor Lev Shalem, all published by the Conservative movement's Rabbinical Assembly. She has also published numerous essays. In addition to teaching numerous private study groups, Rabbi Uhrbach has served on the faculty of the Wexner Heritage Foundation, and has taught and served as scholar-in-residence at the 92nd Street Y, the Skirball Center for Adult Learning, The Women’s League for Conservative Judaism, and many synagogues.
Rabbi Uhrbach received her ordination from JTS, where she was a Wexner Graduate Fellow, and the recipient of academic prizes in theology, philosophy, Talmud, and professional skills.
The rabbinate is Rabbi Uhrbach’s second career. A graduate of Yale University (1985) and Harvard Law School (1988), Rabbi Uhrbach served as Law Clerk to Federal District Judge Kimba M. Wood. She then joined the New York law firm of Satterlee Stephens Burke & Burke LLP, where she specialized in media litigation. Rabbi Uhrbach became a partner of the firm in January, 1996.
Rabbi Uhrbach can be reached at rabbi@bridgeshul.org.
Nathaniel Bear has a deep connection to Jewish liturgical music. The son of two cantors, he was immersed at an early age in the full range of synagogue music, from nusach to congregational tunes, from hazzanut to contemporary Jewish compositions. He has since served as a cantorial soloist in synagogues across the country, and considers it both a privilege and a responsibility to share this rich and unique musical tradition.
When not leading davening, Nathaniel is a professional singer and voice teacher, equally at home in opera, concert and chamber performance. Nathaniel spent last summer with the Wolf Trap Opera Studio Artist Program, and was a Vocal Arts Fellow with the Tanglewood Music Center for two seasons. He has performed with the Seaglass Theater Company, and the Boston Opera Institute, and this spring will be joining Opera Philadelphia’s production of Complications in Sue.
Nathaniel holds a Master of Music from Northwestern University and both a Bachelor of Music in Voice and Opera as well as a Bachelor of Arts in History from the University of Rochester and Eastman School of Music’s Dual Degree Program. He’s been the recipient of numerous merit-based scholarships and and professional fellowships.
Originally from Melville, Nathaniel currently lives in Philadelphia, with his wife Isabel.
Rebecca Cushman is a second-year student at the Jewish Theological Seminary where she is pursuing Cantorial Ordination and a Master’s of Sacred Music. As a student and future Cantor, Rebecca blends her background in education, her love for Jewish music, and her passion for creating inclusive communities to create spiritual opportunities that are rooted in joy, tradition, and innovation.
Rebecca grew up in Queens, NY. While attending NYC public schools, she went to Hebrew School at the Bay Terrace Jewish Center and studied privately under the mentorship of Cantor Victor Wortman. Rebecca holds a Bachelor's Degree in Education & Jewish Studies from NYU (2014) and a Master's Degree in Education Policy & Management from Harvard University (2018).
Rebecca has sung with the Cecilia Chorus of NY, the Women's Choir of NYU, and the Harvard-Radcliffe University Chorus. Rebecca takes voice lessons with Gayna Kieval and currently sings in the Zamir Chorale of NY, conducted by Maestro Matthew Lazar. Rebecca is deeply honored to be with the Gesher community for the High Holidays and, starting this Fall, to serve as the Cantorial Intern at Brotherhood Synagogue of NY.