Author Archives: Rabbi George Gittleman

About Rabbi George Gittleman

Rabbi George Gittleman joined Shomrei Torah as our first full time rabbi in 1996. He embarked on his rabbinical journey after 8 years in computer sales, obtaining a Masters in Hebrew Letters and Ordination from the Reform Seminary, Hebrew Union College Jewish Institute of Religion in 1996. Rabbi George is also a Senior Rabbinic Fellow at the prestigious Shalom Hartman Institute in Jerusalem, having recently completed a three year course of study there.

Kol Nidre Sermon: Valley of the Shadow

Death don’t have no mercy in this land, Oh death don’t have no mercy in this land.  Well he’ll come to you house and won’t stay long, Next thing you know one of your loved ones will be gone.  Oh … Continue reading

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1,000 for 1: Why It’s Worth It

As a parent I thought I had some insight into why Israel agreed to the terms of Gilad Shalit’s release: 1,000 Palestinians freed from jail, hundreds of them with blood on their hands, for his freedom. I thought to myself, … Continue reading

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Holding the Ladder

One of my favorites stories about the Baal Shem Tov, the founder of Hassidism is about his morning prayer practice. Apparently he would daven Shacharit (pray the morning service) much longer than his followers and they became accustomed to waiting … Continue reading

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Rosh Hashanah Sermon: Hineini

Hineini, here I am. Tonight I want to explore with you this rare – it only appears 8 times in Torah – and important word. Hineini. The first hineini is uttered by Abraham as a response to God’s call at … Continue reading

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Fear

The Hassidic saying attributed to Rabbi Levi Yitzkhak of Birditchev, kol haolom kulo gesher tzar meod v’ha-eekar lo l’fakhed klal/The whole world is a narrow bridge but the essence is not to be afraid, has been running through my head … Continue reading

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Two Weeks of Study In Israel

It’s been almost three weeks since Laura and I returned from our trip to Israel and many folks in the congregation have asked me when I was going to write about the trip. I am not sure why, but this … Continue reading

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Reflections on Pride Week

I think it was the Fall of 1998 that Eve (I have since forgotten her last name) suggested that we (Shomrei Torah) should march in the Sonoma County Gay and Lesbian Pride Parade.  “After all”, she pointed out, “the church … Continue reading

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Why Obama is Right About Israel

Not long ago I watched the movie, “127 Hours”. It’s about an extreme outdoor athlete who, while out on a solo hike in the Arizona Desert, gets trapped in a canyon, his arm pinned by a boulder that fell while … Continue reading

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What is a Jew?

Not too long ago my 16 year-old nephew Josh asked me, “what is a Jew?” His high school humanities teacher had insisted that “Jews were a race.” Josh knew this wasn’t true but was struggling to find a better definition, … Continue reading

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Israel @ 63

“My heart is in the east, while I am on the edge of the west” wrote the famous medieval poet, rabbi and philosopher, Yehudah Halevi. His words, his longing, his life, reflect the ancient and profound connection between the Jewish … Continue reading

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