Rabbi Steve

Rabbi Dr. Steven A. Bernstein was born in Ann Arbor, MI and moved with his family to Gainesville, FL in the 1960’s while still a preschooler.  The son of two University of Florida professors, Steve excelled in math, science, and literature in school.  In addition to his standard academic studies Steve also pursued his Jewish education, studying with many Rabbis and professors of Judaic Studies over the years.

In the late ‘70s, Steve moved with his family to Jerusalem where his parents were visiting professors at Hebrew University.  While in Israel, Steve served in the Gadna division of the Israel Defense Forces as he also continued his academic studies.  During school breaks and Summers, he worked as a volunteer on a number of kibbutzim throughout Israel.

On returning to the U.S., Steve studied at Duke University, later completing his degree at the University of West Florida with a major in Philosophy and Religious Studies and a minor in Chemistry.  After college Steve became a financial advisor and investment consultant.  He was with PaineWebber for 14 years, earning his Chartered Financial Consultant designation from the American College (Bryn Mawr, PA) while there.  He joined Raymond James in 2001 and later retired in 2017.

Never interrupting his Judaic studies, Steve received his first s’miḥa in 2010, after which he founded the Aydat HaDerekh Messianic Synagogue in Fort Myers.  He joined Yeshivat Shuvu as the professor of history in 2014, receiving s’miḥa from there that December.  He served as Director of Theology for the yeshiva and also lead various – and quite lively – group studies.  In 2015 Steve also received s’miḥa from the International Association of Messianic Congregations and Synagogues (IAMCS.)

Steve received his Doctor of Messianic Judaism in October 2020.  He afterward served as the President of Shuvu College of Messianic Judaism, providing a much-needed mechanism within the Messianic community for Yeshivat Shuvu graduates to pursue their own doctorates.  Steve was still active with both Yeshivat Shuvu and Shuvu College at the time of his passing.

Steve passed away 2 Sivan 5784 (June 8, 2024), leaving behind his devoted wife Ronyt, his daughters Lyla & Dara, his stepson Greg, and his stepdaughter Whitney.  He will be forever greatly missed by his family, his congregation, and his talmidim who – under the auspices of Yeshivat Shuvu – encompass the globe.  Whether at synagogue, within the yeshiva, or in one-on-one conversations, Steve, lovingly called “Papa Rav” by his talmidim, had a unique way of teaching that combined both wit and wisdom.

May his memory be a blessing.  May his neshama have an aliyah.