Acting Governor McGuire Declares ‘Rabbi George Gittleman Day’
SACRAMENTO – Acting Governor Mike McGuire declared ‘Rabbi George Gittleman Day’ today, July 8, in honor of the work and legacy of the rabbinical leader, who recently retired from Congregation Shomrei Torah in Santa Rosa.
During his 28-year tenure, Gittleman grew the number of families in the congregation – from less than 100 to nearly 500 member families – as well as helped the congregation build a new temple, opened the Shomrei Torah Religious School to teach Hebrew to K-8 students, led the creation of a popular teen program, and built a robust adult education program. Gittleman will also forever be known as a leader who implemented social change in the North Bay.
“Rabbi George is a pillar in our community, from his thoughtful, heartfelt sermons to his advocacy to lift up the most vulnerable to his social justice work throughout the North Bay – he has dedicated his life to advance positive change and we’re stronger because of his work,” Acting Governor McGuire said. “He has committed his career and life to tikkun olam – repairing the world – through his actions, and he inspired countless Californians through his teachings and leadership. Rabbi George is a mentor, a friend, and a true mensch, and it’s my deep honor to pay tribute to him today.”
Over the past nearly three decades, Gittleman worked extensively to address many social justice issues in the community, including hunger, affordable housing, expanding resources for homeless residents, LGBTQ+ rights and immigration reform.
Gittleman has a Bachelor of Arts degree in American History from the University of Vermont, and a Master’s in Hebrew Letters and Ordination from the Reform Seminary at Hebrew Union College – Jewish Institute of Religion. He also is a Senior Rabbinic Fellow at the Shalom Hartman Institute in Jerusalem, and is a graduate of the Rabbinic Leadership Program and the Jewish Mindfulness Meditation Certificate Program of the Institute for Jewish Spirituality.
A copy of the certificate of recognition can be found here.
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Mike McGuire is President pro Tempore of the California Senate. He represents the North Coast of California, which stretches from the Golden Gate Bridge to the Oregon border, including Del Norte, Trinity, Humboldt, Lake, Mendocino, Sonoma, and Marin counties. Website of Senate Leader McGuire: https://sd02.senate.ca.gov/