Rabbi Melinda Zalma was installed as rabbi of Congregation Beth Mordecai in Perth Amboy Oct. 29 in a ceremony attended by about 150 friends, family, congregants, local political leaders, and Jewish and Christian clergy.

Zalma took over as spiritual leader of the historic Conservative shul — with just over 100 member families — May 19, succeeding its longtime rabbi Hillel Rudavsky.

A highlight of the day was the participation of Rabbi Gerald Zelizer of Congregation Neve Shalom in Metuchen, the synagogue in which Zalma grew up and was bat mitza. It was Zelizer, who officiated at both Zalma’s bat mitzva service and marriage and who encouraged her to choose the rabbinate.

In her speech Zalma compared her relationship with the almost 110-year congregation to a marriage.

“Just as when people get married they have a vision of shared core values and values they want for their families, our shared vision is like the four poles of a huppah,” said Zalma. “We are rich in history and we want to bring that history to the future. We extend a warm welcome to all who walk through our doors. That’s also part of our history and has been a hallmark of Beth Mordecai.

“I talked of Beth Mordecai as being a continuing part of the Jewish community and of our commitment to learning, which takes place in services where we have the opportunity to engage and examine Torah and prayers and have discussions about what we’re saying means,” she said.

A 2003 graduate of the Jewish Theological Seminary, Zalma holds a master’s in midrash, rabbinic commentary, and previously worked at the Jewish Outreach Institute. She is a also a chaplain in the Navy Reserves, giving two days a month and two weeks a year to the military.