About Our Rabbis
With whom should you work on your journey to conversion to Judaism?
We want to put all our rabbis in the hall of fame! But we're just getting started. Check back for updates. If you converted in the Bay Area, send us your story of converting with your rabbi.
Rabbi Dan Goldblatt, Beth Chaim, Danville
May 2010: It was a little more than a year ago when I walked into Beth Chaim for the first time. What a life changing event that was! I’ll never forget my first conversation with Rabbi Dan when I shared how I had always felt spiritually lost and how strongly I felt that finding a spiritual home for myself was a requirement before I could share it with my children. I wanted something meaningful for all of us, not just something I forced my kids to do just because I thought they should have a religious affiliation. Rabbi Dan and I talked for about 2 hours that day. He was so accepting and encouraging and not at all shocked when I told him my husband is not Jewish, nor is anyone else in my family. In fact, my father is a non-practicing Catholic, my mother’s family is Buddhist and my husband is an atheist. Rabbi Dan very warmly encouraged me to keep reading and exploring. We’ve met regularly for over a year, I’ve become involved in the Beth Chaim community, I’m taking a Hebrew class and most importantly my family and I celebrate Shabbat every week complete with freshly baked challah, candles and blessings! My formal conversion ceremony is in June but in my heart it is already complete. I feel blessed to be a part of this community and I hope I can give back to it as much as I receive.
Rabbi SaraLeya Schley, Chochmat HaLev, Berkeley (Renewal)
Rabbi SaraLeya Schley at Chochmat HaLev in Berkeley was my guide for the conversion process (and also later for Bar Mitzvah). She was easy to approach and open to my conversion request, and went out of her way to ensure that my process was both rigorous and positive. I was given a list of traditional books to read, and in addition was asked to read a number of books by Jewish Renewal authors. My requirements were a year-long introductory course in Judaism, weekly Torah study for a year, keeping Shabbat and all holidays for a year, attending services regularly, and being active in the community. Rabbi Schley taught me the basics of the Siddur from ArtScroll. We met regularly, and I was asked very searching and thoughtful questions during our sessions.
Rabbi Schley convened a Beit Din and asked me to submit an essay to them. She also arranged to have a male Rabbi help me through the process for my hatafat dam brit and mikvah immersion. She did everything possible to make my conversion ceremony personal and meaningful, and since she excels at making life-cycle ceremonies profound, it was a wonderful experience.
Rabbi Janet Marder, Beth Am, Los Altos (Reform)
I had considered conversion to Judaism for many years after college--and finally, after attending several services at Beth Am, I contacted Rabbi Janet Marder. Her immediate warm welcome made me feel safe to ask her all my questions about conversion. I knew very little about the conversion process before our conversation. Among the most helpful things she did were to explain the entire process, answer my questions with sincerity and kindness, and introduce me to events and people that helped me to become a part of the congregation. These introductions were especially meaningful to me, as a single person who was converting without a Jewish partner.
My process with her included reading books she suggested and taking part in the life of the synagogue. Each of my sessions with her was uplifting and empowering. Her weekly Torah study class, open to all and one of the most popular activities at Beth Am, was another wonderful resource on my journey. Her love of Judaism, of teaching, and of welcoming people into the Jewish community were so evident throughout my conversion studies.
Rabbi Marder has all of her conversion students write an essay about their Jewish journey and keep a list of books they have read along the way. She also discusses the conversion ceremony with us beforehand, and provides opportunities for each student to select some of the prayers for their ceremony.
Rabbi Marder can be reached at 650-493-4661.
Rabbi Larry Raphael, Sherith Israel, San Francisco (Reform)
(Comments from a female convert)
I am what some would call a shy person. So, it wasn’t easy for me to approach Rabbi Raphael and share my hopes and dreams about converting to Judaism. Thankfully, he was open, friendly, and welcoming. During our meetings he was genuinely interested in my life and the things that led me to and kept me on my path to conversion. And the memory on this man! He remembers tidbits of information about all of his congregants. Rabbi Raphael clearly cares very much about people, their families, and their lives.
It’s also worth mentioning that Sherith Israel has the most amazing conversion program, as this is another area in which Rabbi Raphael really shines. In the program, every student is assigned a mentor to work with throughout their conversion. Over and over again I heard my fellow conversion students say that Rabbi Raphael chose the perfect mentor for them. This was definitely the case for me. Without Rabbi Raphael’s intuition, attentiveness, and sensitivity, my incredible mentor and I would still be strangers and I would have missed out on one of the most important journeys of my life.
If you want to contact Rabbi Raphael about the classes at his synagogue you can reach him at Sherith Israel (415) 346-1720.
Rabbi Steve Chester, Temple Sinai, Oakland (Reform)
Comments from a convert (female):
I had long identified as Jewish, despite my Southern Baptist upbringing. It was only a few years ago, however, that I began pursuing conversion. My first step was to take the class, A Taste of Judaism. It was my good fortune that the class was taught by Rabbi Chester; I immediately took to his warm and open approach. The fates brought us together some time after the class, at the wedding of a friend's daughter, and I talked with him about wanting to convert. He was encouraging and supportive, and we eventually set up a series of meetings and a study schedule. He was generous with his time, answered my wide-ranging questions, and was a delight to discuss my concerns with. Rabbi Chester oversaw my conversion ceremony, marking one of the highlights of my life. Since that day, Rabbi Chester has continued to meet with me, check in, encourage me to continue my studies and to answer my ongoing questions. I am grateful for him.
You can reach Rabbi Chester at 510-451-3263.
Rabbi Judy Shanks, Temple Isaiah, Lafayette (Reform)
(comments from a female, converted 2007)
My conversion process took place over a period of almost two years. Rabbi Judy Shanks was recommended by close friends as a person who could help me explore Judaism and the possibility of converting. I wasn’t sure I was "religious" enough to do so. I had been observing the Jewish high holidays with friends and/or family for years, embracing Jewish values, and in many respects leading a Jewish life with my semi-observant Jewish husband.
Rabbi Shanks was an amazing, insightful, knowledgeable, and kind guide. She helped me to see that in Reform Judaism I could find my own niche, contribute, and participate in ways that were meaningful to me, as long as I could commit to the central tenets and values of Judaism.
We met every few weeks and I gradually came to know that I was on the right path. One day, Rabbi Shanks said to me, "I think you’re ready. Do you?" Despite the lingering feeling that I still had so much to learn, I agreed, and we picked a date for my conversion ceremony, including the mikvah. You can reach Rabbi Shanks at 925-283-8575.
Rabbi Mark Bloom, Temple Beth Abraham, Oakland (Conservative)
(comments from a female convert)
I studied for a year with the intent of converting before meeting Rabbi Bloom. Once I visited Temple Beth Abraham for Shabbat services and spoke with the Rabbi Bloom I knew I'd found a spiritual home and a course of formal study which suited me. Rabbi Bloom provides an independent course of study based on reading material, study of biblical Hebrew and regular attendance at services. Throughout the year and half I studied with Rabbi Bloom I had the opportunity to meet others studying for conversion and become involved with Temple activities. My studies concluded with an essay, meeting with the Bet Din and visit to the mikvah. Rabbi Bloom is very personable and easy to speak with and open to answering questions. I highly recommend him to anyone who is considering a conservative conversion. You can reach Rabbi Bloom at 510-832-0936.
Rabbi Camille Angel, Sha'ar Zahav, San Francisco (Reform)
(Comments from a male convert)
When I first heard about Congregation Sha'ar Zahav during the fall of 2003, I was so nervous about meeting the rabbi because 1) I wasn't sure how she would feel about my thoughts on conversion into Judaism), 2) me being Filipino, and 3) me being an openly gay man. Additionally, I wasn't sure how she would feel if I told her that I was interested in converting to Judaism on my own and not because of a Jewish partner (my partner is actually not Jewish). That's a lot ot bring to the table! When I met Rabbi Camille Angel, the qualities that impressed me were her warmth and soothing personality and her progressive attitude. She is also a wonderful teacher of Torah. We bonded immediately and that's when she introduced me to my mentor, Paul Cohen (also a member of Sha'ar Zahav). Together, Paul and I traveled on my 2-year journey into Judaism. He instructed me on everything--from taking "Judaism 101" classes to finding comfort in my multidenominational family. At Sha'ar Zahav, I found a welcoming community and a special place to worship and take pride in being both Jewish and gay. To speak to Rabbi Angel, please free to call her at: 415-861-6932.
Rabbi Allen Bennett, Temple Israel, Alameda (Reform)
(Comments from a convert female, converted 2006):
I studied with Rabbi Bennett for several years through my conversion process. In the beginning, I didn't know I wanted to convert, I just had lots of questions and felt very drawn to exploring Judaism. A rabbi friend had recommended Rabbi Bennett and working with him was a real gift. We met about once a month in the beginning and then more as I got more serious. He guided me through a very interesting set of books, and we had and continue to have many challenging fascinating conversations about theology and faith. I began attending services at Temple Israel in Alameda, and really fell in love with Judaism and Jewish prayer. It felt so much like coming home. Once I formally told Rabbi Bennett I wanted to convert, he had me write two papers. The first was "What I Know about Judaism" and the second was "My Spiritual Journey to Judaism." When I met with the beit din, after the questions, he had me read a poem "I Am A Jew Because. . ." and we both cried our way through it. Rabbi Bennett embodies Reform Jewish questioning, has an enormous personal and professional commitment to tikkun olam. Working with him on my conversion was a real blessing, and I'm currently studying with him and Cantor Sawyer for my bat mitzvah.
You can reach Rabbi Bennett at 510-522-9355.
Rabbi Emeritus Gordon Freeman, B'nai Shalom, Walnut Creek (Conservative)
(Comments from a convert male)
About 15 years ago, not long after my daughter was born, I decided that I wanted to learn more about Judaism. I listened to lots of tapes & I signed up for the Lehrhaus class, Introduction to Judaism. It was a nine-month course.
My family and I were already members of Congregation B’nai Shalom in Walnut Creek, so I contacted Rabbi Gordon Freeman and told him of my intention to formalize my Jewish choice, my formal conversion. He was very gracious and welcoming to me. We had several private sessions where he asked questions about my personal history and my motivation in choosing Judaism. He tested my knowledge and then taught me more.
Rabbi Freeman never made me feel as though I was jumping over a hurdle or negotiating an obstacle course. When the time came, Rabbi Freeman accompanied me to the mikvah and observed the hatafat dam b’rit. Then we met with the bet din which he had assembled at which time my status as a Jew was confirmed.Now that I was considered a full-fledged member of the tribe, I began to volunteer for synagogue activities. For the past nine years I have served as a member of the Board of Directors of my synagogue, Congregation B’nai Shalom.
Rabbi Menachem Creditor, Netivot Shalom, Berkeley (Conservative)
(Comments from a convert male)
The decision to convert to Judaism is a big one, and picking the right rabbi is critical. Rabbi Creditor is an amazing human being- his depth of knowledge, humor, and clarity make him the perfect choice for me. Rabbi Creditor teaches a Judaism that is relevant and personal, while embracing Judaism’s traditions and rich history. You walk away feeling empowered and responsible for making Judaism something you get to experience, not a chore or a ticket you punch. Rabbi Creditor’s method of getting to know the person before he begins the conversion process is only one of the ways he sets himself apart. By taking the time to get to know the person, he can shape the conversion process to the individual’s strengths and weaknesses. Rabbi Creditor taught me the importance of ritual and tradition and empowered me to own my faith in a real and tangible way. His focus on social action and equality embodies the very heart of Judaism- religion in action. It has been an honor and privilege to convert under him, and I would encourage anyone who wants to feel the relevance and necessity of Judaism to seek out this amazing human being. You can reach Rabbi Creditor at 510-549-9447.
Rabbi Stuart Kelman, Netivot Shalom, Berkeley (Conservative)
(Comments from a convert female, converted 2007)
I met with two different Rabbis before deciding to study with Rabbi Kelman. The first two were kind and very helpful, but when I attended Netivot Shalom I knew the congregation was the right fit for me, and I wanted to convert in the synagogue that I planned to attend. Rabbi Kelman accepted me as a student just before his retirement.
I took two year-long classes with him -- an overview of the prayer service, and a beginning Talmud study. These helped me meet other people and learn to discuss ideas in a Jewish setting. He also gave me an independent reading list on various topics of Judaism. I read through the list and we met once a month to discuss the books and what I was thinking or questioning at the time. He told me he would "know" when I was ready; I think he knew before I did. The process took just over a year, and he put together a really great Beit Din, whose questions I will consider for a long time.
Rabbi Nathaniel Ezray, Temple Beth Jacob, Redwood City (Conservative)
I have always had a fascination for the Jewish faith, as I began to learn more about it, I realized I was also drawn to the Jewish people. I began my studies by attending Rabbi Dardik's "Everything You Wanted to Know about Judaism." That class only got me warmed up for a continual search for a spiritual home. I attended a meeting at the recreation center in Palo Alto, and saw a banner that said Temple Beth Jacob, but the Rabbi was different, and the people did not look like the group from Oakland. Later I learned Rabbi Dardik was at Congregation Beth Jacob in Oakland. This new Rabbi, Nathaniel Ezray was very welcoming, and invited me to attend services at the Temple Beth Jacob in Redwood City. I remember walking in the first time to the services already in progress, and Rabbi Ezray walking off the bimah to hand me his prayerbook. He later took the time to introduce me to members of the congregation. He suggested I begin studying with the Ritual Director Bill Fortornick. Bill and I met every Monday afternoon for about an hour. I had been raised in a Catholic home, and we discussed many aspects of spirituality. I always felt comfortable, I could ask Bill or the Rabbi any question, and they did their best to answer me. Rabbi Ezray made sure I was included in the High Holy Days and treated me as a full member. I had a Beit Din at CBJ, and when it came time for my visit to the mikvah, Rabbi Ezray, Bill, and John, a member of the congregation all accompanied me to SF. I was later married by Rabbi Ezray, with Bill also participating. My family and friends were greeted warmly by my new spiritual leaders.
Rabbi Jacqueline Mates-Muchin, Temple Sinai, Oakland (Reform)
(Comments from a female convert, converted 2005)
I first met Rabbi Mates-Muchin in the joint Intro class given by Beth El and TempleSinai of Oakland. I really liked the way she introduced us to several concepts about Judaism, especially the vocabulary, and had a very warm and engaging style. I sent her an email asking her to "be my rabbi" and help me through this journey, and she set up an appointment to meet. Before long, I was totally immersed in several books, working on the questions she set before me, and attending services and events at synagogue. I would see her every 3-4 weeks, and we'd discuss what I'd read and seen, until the end of the process when she thought I was ready. She always answered my questions and made me feel welcome.
You can reach Rabbi Mates-Muchin at 510-451-3263.