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

Awhile ago, one or two Rodef Sholom men mentioned to Rabbi Lezak that they would appreciate having a "place" for men to gather and talk about things other than sports, women and the like.  That was all our rabbi needed to hear--he offered to provide the guidance, and a small group formed.  We really didn't know what we were going to talk about or who might attend, but we came, out of interest, just to see what might happen -- no commitment beyond that first meeting.

Rabbi Lezak led our first few meetings.  Almost five years later, we are still meeting, and Rabbi Lezak drops in, now and then, but we are really on our own, and perhaps better for that, as the tendency might have been to defer to rabbinical leadership and teaching, rather than taking charge of our own group.  (Sometimes we still borrow his office as our place, which gives us the benefit of his always-present bowl of Hershey kisses).

Some of the original group no longer attend, but most remain.  We invited others to join us, and some of those have become "regulars", as well.  Every few months we make a list of volunteers who agree to be the facilitators for the next few monthly get-togethers.  For those who want to volunteer, but are unsure what topic or focus to present-or how best to develop an idea to discuss, Rabbi Lezak is always just a phone call away, and he has also suggested a book or two for us to read and discuss.

In short, there is little structure. We have discussed such things as our life journeys, our religious backgrounds, our differing relationships to-or problems with-God or the God-concept, how we relate-or don't relate-to formal services and/or prayer, Torah portions, our roles as Jewish fathers, husbands or just men, tzedakah and our role in Jewish or secular organizations.  And, if one of us has a bit of tsuris (trouble) or a simcha (joyous event), we share the pain or joy together, as brothers.  Click here to read more of Steve's story.

Some of our meetings have been experiential.  For one, each of us brought our own piece of music that had personal meaning to us from a spiritual point of view.  At others we have hardly spoken but instead drummed on our own or a borrowed drum, making up our own rhythms.

We would be happy to welcome a few more men into our group.  Please contact Rabbi Lezak if you are interested.

Steve Saxe