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

Yom HaShoah VeGevurah – Remembrance of the Holocaust and Acts of Courage
Wednesday, April 18, 7:00 – 8:30 pm, Congregation Kol Shofar

Join the Marin community for this very important prayer service as we pause to remember the six million Jews who perished in the Holocaust. Hear first-hand stories from local survivors and join us as we pledge as a community to never forget.   Open to the entire community.

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Friday, March 16, 6:15 pm Shabbat services 

In 2011, Chef Jeff, our kitchen team and our drivers prepared and delivered 589 meals to 249 different families!!!  

In fact, for over eight years now, Chef Jeff Kirshbaum has churned out thousands of challot and hot meals through the Mitzvah Kitchen. You know the feeling when someone has knocked on your door with a fresh challah or a hot meal. You felt connected and cared for. Join us on Friday, March 16 at 6:15 pm Shabbat services to honor Chef Jeff Kirshbaum and the profoundly holy work he has done for our community. 

And if you’ve been touched by his work, feel free to drop us a brief note—we are putting a book together for him. You can bring it into the office or email Meredith at meredith@rodef sholom.org.

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Fred Levin and Nancy Livingston, members of Rodef Sholom for a full generation, are committed to ensuring our synagogue’s future for the next one.

Newly married in 1982, their connection to Rodef Sholom began with the Jewish education of Fred’s son, Jeff, at age 15 following an anti-Semitic slur in school. Upon his confirmation, Nancy and Fred stayed on as members not only to set an example for Jeff and his sister Vickie, but because of the warmth and inclusiveness they felt from the community and Rabbi Michael Barenbaum. They quickly jumped into leadership roles, first Nancy serving on the Board when Cantor Margules was hired, followed by Fred serving on the board when Rabbi Stacy Friedman was hired. Together they co-chaired our strategic planning process in 1996 with Jack and Jeanette Kadesh.

Nancy and Fred honored Rabbi Friedman--who has been involved in many of their family milestones during her 18-year tenure here—with a generous gift in support of Shulchan Shabbat, our First Friday dinners. These dinners not only bring back fond memories of the potluck congregational dinners of 30 years ago, but also help to create the kind of familial warmth and friendships that originally drew them in. It is their hope that by coming together for Shabbat dinners people will become more connected and more involved.

Both Nancy (from Cleveland) and Fred (a 4th-generation San Franciscan) come from families with impressive traditions of Jewish philanthropy. Their own deep and long-standing commitment to giving back began at Rodef Sholom, and over the years, has extended to supporting a host of institutions devoted to the performing and visual arts, as well as to Jewish social services. Their philosophy of giving prioritizes endeavors that educate, develop, and look toward the future.

As stewards of The Shenson Foundation, Fred and Nancy view their role as both a deep privilege and a responsibility. Fred beams with enthusiasm over the word “philanthropy,” defining it as “doing more than one ever thought one could.” Although they realize their good fortune to be custodians of a foundation, their principles of giving are not exclusive to this realm; in fact, Fred would like to see every congregant embrace this definition of philanthropy, and stretch to give an amount that is “personally significant,” no matter the level.

A former board president, Fred’s objective then—and with Nancy, to this day—is to inspire everyone “to do something…to make your day and week count. To take steps, no matter how small, but to be involved.” Their strongly felt personal imperative is to inspire, to lead through example, and to encourage others to support our congregation, which they consider to be the center of Reform Judaism in Marin. Fred and Nancy are unequivocal in what they feel is our collective responsibility to “step up, be active, contribute our fair share, and give more, because there are people within our community who cannot.” Now that’s a definition of “philanthropy” we can all aspire to!

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If you have been here 25 years or more, please come to receive a special blessing on Shabbat.  The full adult choir will also be singing!

Here’s a reflection from Shirley Berman, a member since 1959:

When our first child was born 54 years ago, we joined Rodef Sholom, then located on Mission Street in San Rafael. Happily, the days of the Building Fund for our own sanctuary and campus are only a distant memory for me (although we could use some more space—a sign of success!).

To me, the mature status of our congregation started with Rabbi Barenbaum, when member involvement increased, especially with our teens. Since then, we have been blessed with clergy and staff almost too good to be true. I often wonder how such young professionals can be so wise.

Rodef Sholom has programs that serve the varied needs of our community. We have a dynamic religious school and a liberal spectrum of religious practices. Our three children have benefitted from birth to marriage. Now our grandchildren are sharing these treasures.

Rodef Sholom is a welcoming and comforting spiritual base for all of us.

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Did you know that every day in Marin there are over 1,200 individuals & families without a place to call home and over 4,000 people who are at risk of homelessness?

Homeforall’s mission is to educate and inspire community action to help prevent and end homelessness in Marin. For more information please visit www.homeforallmarin.org.

This presentation is co-sponsored by Rodef Sholom’s Shelter Tzedek Circle and the Women of Rodef Sholom.

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