Senior Rabbi George Gittleman
Rabbi George Gittleman joined Shomrei Torah as our first full time rabbi in 1996. In 1991 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, and a graduate of the Rabbinic Leadership Program of The Institute for Jewish Spirituality.
- More about Rabbi George Gittleman
- Rabbi George Gittleman’s Blog
- Rabbi George Gittleman’s Sermons
- Santa Rosa Press Democrat profile of Rabbi George Gittleman
- Published Articles by Rabbi George Gittleman
Contact Rabbi George Gittleman: [email protected]
Associate Rabbi & Educational Director Stephanie Kramer
Rabbi Stephanie Kramer is the Associate Rabbi at Congregation Shomrei Torah in Santa Rosa CA, where she has served since July 2011. A native of Houston, Texas, Rabbi Kramer studied Psychology with a minor in Religious Studies. After graduation she attended an Ulpan in Arad, Israel.
Rabbi Kramer was ordained from LA campus of Hebrew Union College in 2011. During Her studies she served pulpits in El Centro and Long Beach.
Rabbi Kramer is passionate about Jewish continuity, building community, and creative worship. She particularly enjoys teaching people of all ages, both inside and outside the synagogue walls. She is committed to transforming Jewish youth through youth groups, leadership, camp and L’taken trips.
Rabbi Kramer enjoys working on IGI grants from the SF Federation, collaborative young adult programs, and pastoral care. Rabbi Kramer also serves as President of Sonoma Hillel. Stephanie and her husband Adam are the proud parents of Micah and Noa.
Contact Rabbi Stephanie Kramer: [email protected]
Cantorial Soloist Erica Wisner
Erica Wisner is Cantorial Soloist at Shomrei Torah, participating in services and holiday observances on a part-time basis. Erica, a Sacramento native who lived in New York City for a decade while pursuing a career in musical theater, is a professional musician with a master’s degree from The Boston Conservatory and a bachelor’s degree from UCLA.
As a young child, Erica grew up going to services and fell in love with Jewish musical liturgy when her parents started a synagogue in Sacramento County. After considering cantorial school in 2006, but determining the timing wasn’t right, Erica feels blessed that life has come full circle with this position at CST. Last summer she attended Mifgash Musicale, a professional development conference for cantorial soloists and temple musicians at HUC-JIR in Cincinnati. Erica and her husband, Chris, moved to Santa Rosa in 2008, after marrying here in 2007. They are the proud parents of Noah and Lael.
Contact Erica Wisner: [email protected]
Cantorial Soloist & Youth Coordinator Malcolm McElheney
Malcolm McElheney joined Shomrei Torah in 2015 as our Youth & Music Coordinator and Cantorial Soloist. Malcolm works with children and teens in the synagogue’s SHORTY (grades 9-12), miniSHORTY (grades 6-8), JuSTY (grades 3-6), Tot Shabbat (ages newborn and up) and also mentors the STaRS madrichim (teacher assistants). Malcolm brings over 5 years experience working with Jewish kids in various youth programs.
Malcolm is a Sacramento native who grew up at Congregation B’nai Israel, where he became a Bar Mitzvah and continued through confirmation. He started attending URJ Camp Newman here in Santa Rosa in 2003, and has spent many summers there. In high school, Malcolm was heavily involved with the national NFTY group (National Federation of Temple Youth), and served on the regional board of NFTY Central West.
Malcolm created his own major at New York University, where he received his degree in Jewish Youth Programming. He has a Shared Position at Camp Newman, he is involved in many weekends and activities at camp.
Contact Malcolm McElheney: [email protected]
Senior Administrative Assistant Denise Harrison
Rabbinic Assistant Julie Hash
Julie works closely with the rabbis, Religious School families and B’nei Mitzvah families. Julie also handles membership, member finances, The Voice monthly newsletter and the Chai-Lites weekly e-blast.
Contact Julie Hash: [email protected]
Administrative Assistant Seraphima Chisler
Seraphima is your go-to person when coordinating logistics for your meeting, program or event at CST. She manages the facility and keeps things safe, clean and organized.
Contact Seraphima Chisler: [email protected]