CELEBRATING RABBI'S LIFE WORK.

Byline: Holly Andres Staff Writer

STUDIO CITY - Reading a prayer penned by their senior spiritual leader, members of Congregation Beth Meier give voice every Friday night to the essence of the life work of Rabbi Meier Schimmel.

Schimmel, who founded the synagogue more than 40 years ago in his Studio City home, will be honored Sunday, the 70th anniversary of his rabbinic ordination, at a sold-out tribute lunch.

```The Brotherhood Prayer,' written by Rabbi Schimmel, is read at every Friday Shabbat service. It is a way for us to restate our commitment to welcoming everyone to our services no matter what race, creed or religion they are,'' said Rabbi Aaron D. Benson, who became the Studio City synagogue's lead rabbi last summer.

Benson discovered the traditional conservative congregation as he searched for an internship to gain rabbinic experience before his own ordination last May. Friends suggested he visit Beth Meier, where an eclectic mix of Jews and Seventh-day Adventists were led in prayer by an interesting European rabbi on Friday nights.

``He had energy and captured my attention right away,'' Benson recalled of Schimmel. ``It's a rare thing to be in a room with people praying so sincerely, and everyone was. I saw that he was a rabbi so in love with sharing his own devotion and earnestness that I knew he could be my mentor.''

Benson, who interned for three years at Beth Meier, said Schimmel's strong suit as a rabbi is the way he connects with people on a one-to-one basis.

``He has so much heart and so much faith, it's contagious,'' said Deborah Lebovits, who has known Schimmel for about 13 years. ``He's so spiritual, it makes me want to be like him.''

Schimmel is careful to correct people who assume, because his first name is Meier, the synagogue is named after him. Beth Meier, Hebrew for ``House of Light,'' was actually named to honor an Orthodox rabbi who lived more than 200 years ago.

``This is a house of God. It's not my own house,'' Schimmel said. ``Everyone who wants to pray can come in. I love everybody. We are all children of God and we should love each other regardless of religion.''

A sentiment read from the rabbi's 'Brotherhood Prayer,' that God's love ``may flow through me to bless all whose lives I touch'' expresses what Schimmel believes is one of the best parts of being a rabbi for 70 years.

``The best part is to help everybody regardless of their faith,'' Schimmel said. ``When I go to hospitals to visit people, people who aren't Jewish ask, 'Will you pray for me, too?' Yes, of course I will - and I do.''

Lebovits, who admitted that her first impression of Schimmel was that he was a stern teacher to her daughter's Hebrew class, said everyone in the congregation is inspired by his devotion to Judaism.

``Rabbi Schimmel is just so loving. When he welcomes you he kisses you three times: for your past, present and future,'' Lebovits said. ``He really, really cares about people. He's one of a kind.''

Holly Andres, [phone]

holly.andres(at)dailynews.com

IF YOU GO

A Shabbat service is held at 8 p.m. Fridays at Congregation Beth Meier, 11725 Moorpark St., Studio City. The synagogue holds a Talmud study group at 9:20 a.m. prior to the 10 a.m. Shabbat service Saturdays. A ``kosher dining out'' excursion is held on the first Monday of every month. A six-session beginner's Hebrew class for adults will begin at 7 p.m. Feb. 4. Call [phone].

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Rabbi Meier Schimmel, left, founder of Congregation Beth Meier in Studio City will be honored by Rabbi Aaron D. Benson and others in the congregation for his devotion and extensive service.

Evan Yee/Staff Photographer

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