Rabbi Bella began serving in congregational leadership more than 45 years ago as the Cantorial Soloist of Ramat Shalom Reconstructionist Synagogue in Plantation, Florida. After becoming an ordained rabbi through the Jewish Spiritual Leaders Institute in NYC, she continued her studies in the ALEPH Ordination Program of Jewish Renewal, receiving simcha from Rabbi Zalman Schachter-Shalomi after seven years of study. 

Rabbi Bella then served as rabbi of Congregation Shir Shalom in Sonoma, CA

Since moving back to the east coast, she has been serving as an independent rabbi—teaching, officiating at life-cycle events, and leading Shabbat and holiday services in a variety of congregations in Florida and New York.

A lifelong musician and songwriter, Rabbi Bella began recording original Jewish music as a teenager and has since released five cd’s of Jewish music and one of secular songs.

Rabbi Bella Bogart brings warmth, wisdom, music, and spiritual presence to her role as Rabbi of The Reform Temple Bet Yam in St. Augustine. Raised in an Orthodox family in the Bronx, New York, her Jewish journey has been rooted in tradition while embracing a forward-thinking, inclusive and meaningful vision of Jewish life. When Rabbi Bella and her husband, Dillon, joined Temple Bet Yam as members, they fell in love with this warm and vibrant community. As rabbi, her goal is to help this community thrive, and share this truly unique congregation with as many folks as possible.

(Rabbi Bella and Dillon have been married for 20 years and share a blended family of six grown children, their spouses, and eleven grandchildren. They treasure their summers on a small lake in the Catskill Mountains in NY, where Rabbi Bella has spent summers since infancy.)