Rodef Sholom: A Reform Jewish Congregation in Marin County, California

I've thought of several metaphors when describing my time with Rodef Sholom to others but the one that seems most appropriate is a soul-filling, walk in the garden. 

I was honored to offer sacred nurturing to the many b'nai mitzvah students and families which began my time. I connected with everyone and the blessings were once in a lifetime Jewish moments. There were several Sunday mornings studying Judaism from a visual perspective, learning with the shabbes morning Torah class, and sharing stories of loss and healing with the Chevrah Kadisha. I was again deeply honored to offer Jewish learning and pastoral care in these settings. 

Every rabbi is charged to interpret Torah for our time. The closing chapters of Exodus and the book Leviticus offer us rich metaphors of wandering in the desert and establishing the Tabernacle. Instead of desert, I found a blooming garden of spirituality at your synagogue. Building on the dedication to the service that Leviticus teaches: I found eager participation, a true joyousness and real musical depth every Friday night. So a deep thanks to Cantor Margules and all the musicians who made shabbes shabbes. Gratitude to both Rabbi Lezak and Rabbi Friedman for entrusting me with crafting and delivering Torah during my walk in your garden. 

Chazak vEmatz, Kadima! May you be strong and filled with boundless energy, Onward.

Comment (0)

“MY SO-CALLED ENEMY”, a documentary about Palestinian and Israeli teen-aged girls, with Director Lisa Gossels, Wednesday, April 10, 7 pm, JCC (The last event in the Salaam, Shalom: Speaking of Peace program, co-sponsored by Rodef Sholom) 

To increase dialogue and understanding among and between local faith communities, we are proud to present a series of programs supported by multiple religious organizations across the North Bay. This series was made possible through generous support by Tricia and Richard Gibbs. 

Co-sponsored by the Marin Interfaith Council, Community Congregational Church of Tiburon, Rodef Sholom, Islamic Center of Mill Valley, International Association of Sufism, Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC), St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, and Westminster Presbyterian Church.

Comment (0)

We are honoring Shirley Berman, our longstanding B’nai Mitzvah tutor and congregant, for her tremendous contribution to our kehilla kedosha, our sacred community! 

Join us as we celebrate and honor Shirley’s many years of service to our community with a special blessing for her at Shabbat services. 

We will be putting a book together of special memories for Shirley, so if you have one you (or maybe your child) would like to share, you can bring it by the front office or 

email it to Brenda at brenda@rodefsholom.org by Thursday, March 21!

Comment (0)

The Book of Job - When Bad Things Happen to a Good Person with Rabbi Harold Kushner on Sunday, November 4, 7 pm, JCC 

From one our most trusted spiritual advisors, a thoughtful illuminating guide to the most fascinating of biblical texts and how it can teach us about living in a troubled world.  Rabbi Kushner is well known for his book, When Bad Things Happen to Good People. He has written 13 books and has been chosen by the Roman Catholic Organization as one of fifty people who have made the world a better place in the past half-century. This program is presented free of charge. Osher Marin JCC Hoytt Theater.  RSVP by contacting Alaina Yoakum at ayoakum@marinjcc.org or 415.444.8080.

Comment (0)

by Sue Lifschiz, September 28, 2012

A year ago, just before the High Holidays, Jule and I moved from our home in San Rafael where we had lived for 48 years to Oakmont--a senior community in Santa Rosa. At a newcomers' event we met another Jewish couple, and they invited us to attend High Holiday services with them at their synagogue in Santa Rosa. Anxious to establish connections in our new community, we accepted. The services were OK, but something was definitely missing, and I didn't identify exactly what that something was until last week when we returned to Rodef Sholom. 

Even though Rodef Sholom is only an hour's drive from our new home, at our age driving is becoming more of a challenge, especially at night. So we drove down early on Erev Rosh Hashanah and stayed overnight at a nearby hotel so we wouldn't have to drive home late at night and back early the next morning. 

By the end of services on Yom Kippur, I was simply overwhelmed by my sense of comfort and belonging. We had joined Rodef Sholom shortly after our daughter Jan was born in 1964, and she was named in the synagogue. Both our girls were confirmed at Rodef Sholom, and Jill was married by Rabbi Barenbaum. Rabbi Stacy Friedman blessed the memories of my parents as we laid them to rest. Certainly we weren't as involved in Temple life as we could have been. Like many others, I suppose, our level of activity seemed to vary with our needs at the various stages of our lives. 

This year, before, during and after services, we reconnected with so many old and dear friends. We caught up on the news of their families, their travels, and yes, even their illnesses. We saw how, like us, they had aged but had mellowed. It felt so good to see them. Reuniting with so many lifelong friends, I was struck by what a major role Rodef Sholom has indeed played in our lives. Not only socially, but in other ways as well. We saw so many families where Jule had provided orthodontic treatment for the children. 

 We recognize the huge extent to which those contacts made at Rodef Sholom are responsible for the success of his practice. On Rodef Sholom's website it is stated. "Our congregants know the value of community." Sitting there among those who have been a part of our lives for so many years, I dramatically understood the full meaning of Rodef Sholom as community. Coming back to Rodef Sholom was truly coming home.

Comment (0)