Marcelo Bronstein was born in Argentina. He earned a degree in Clinical Psychology at the Universidad de Belgrano, and after concluding two post-graduate programs he emigrated to the United States to complete his rabbinic studies. He obtained a BA and MA in Jewish studies and attained rabbinic ordination from the Hebrew Union College in New York City. He also studied at the Seminario Rabínico in Argentina and in Israel.
Upon ordination, he moved to Santiago, Chile, where he founded a congregation at the Estadio Israelita Maccabi. After six intense and wonderful years in Chile, Bronstein moved back to New York where he became one of the senior rabbis for the next twenty-three years at the world-renowned Congregation B’nai Jeshurun.
Marcelo has served on the boards of health, ecology, interfaith, special needs, and social justice organizations in North America and abroad.
Despite his successful career, Marcelo in essence is a seeker. He never stopped learning and never will: He always looks for immersive experiences that put him in places of discomfort and growth. This has led him to do vision quests with native Americans, to take a spiritual trek in Nepal, to participate in the Hoffman Process for change, and to learn with Professor Otto Scharmer at MIT’s Presencing Institute and with educator and activist Parker Palmer at the Center for Courage and Renewal, among other trainings.
“Change is a courageous act of radical imagination.”
Marcelo’s reverence for nature led him to move together with his wife, Karina Zilberman, to “La Ecovilla,” in Costa Rica: a 21st century sustainable community that he now calls home. There they lead Jewish MIndfulness Retreats called “Take a Breath”.
The act of seeking guidance can be one of the bravest decisions we can make. Change is inevitable, and as Marcelo says, “Change is a courageous act of radical imagination.”