Rabbi Judith Schindler Visits Temple Beth Israel

Temple Beth Israel of Pomona has continued to pursue online programs providing congregants with ways to engage with our Jewish community during the pandemic. The temple was pleased to welcome Rabbi Judith Schindler as the featured speaker of the Brenda Rosenfeld Scholar Series for the weekend of January 28, 2021.
    Rabbi Schindler currently serves as the Sklut Professor of Jewish Studies and Director of the Greenspan Center for Peace and Social Justice at Queens University of Charlotte, North Carolina. She was named Rabbi Emerita of Temple Beth El in Charlotte, after serving as Associate Rabbi and then Senior Rabbi from 1998-2016.
    She has contributed numerous book chapters and articles over the years. In 2017, she co-authored “Recharging Judaism: How Civic Engagement is Good for Synagogues, Jews and America” with Judith Seldin-Cohen, focusing on how to foster advocacy for social justice within the community. 
    Rabbi Schindler is the daughter of the late Rabbi Alexander Schindler, former President of Union for Reform Judaism.
    Rabbi Schindler’s visit via Zoom began Thursday evening with a discussion of a section of her book Recharging Judaism. At Friday evening services, she was the featured speaker where her passion for social justice issues was highlighted.
    On Sunday morning, congregants had an additional opportunity to engage in a workshop and talk with Rabbi Schindler and other participants, exploring ways to engage in our community and to promote social justice and social change leading to a brighter future for all.
    The Brenda Rosenfeld Scholars Series brings highly regarded guests to Temple Beth Israel. Ms. Rosenfeld z’l, a 40-year member of Temple Beth Israel, was a founding member of the Temple’s Social Action Committee, chaired numerous temple adult education events, and served on the city’s Human Relations Council. The Scholars Series serves to memorialize her tireless commitment to Jewish life, learning and healing the world. Rabbi Schindler’s visit afforded congregants multiple opportunities to stay involved with and connected to the temple community as well as affirming Brenda Rosenfeld’s values.