In 1996, Shomrei Torah engaged our current and first full-time rabbi, Rabbi George Gittleman. Rabbi George’s extraordinary energy, spiritual passion and intellectual fervor have led us to start and strengthen many programs, expand our presence in the local faith community, and build Shomrei Torah’s presence as a leading regional religious institution. In June 2024, Rabbi George Gittleman retired as our Senior Rabbi and will be continuing as Rabbi Emeritus.
June 2024 - Rabbi George Gittleman's Final Blog Post as our Permanent Rabbi
Being the Rabbi of Congregation Shomrei Torah has been a dream come true. From the start of my rabbinical training, I was looking for a spiritual home. A place where I could share my love of Torah in the broadest sense of the word. A place where we -- my family and I, along with the congregational family -- could grow, and grow up, together. A place where we could celebrate and mourn,...READ MORE...
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Rabbi George Gittleman joined Congregation Shomrei Torah in Santa Rosa, California as their first full-time rabbi in 1996. George and his spouse Laura, a hospital administrator and artist, are blessed with two adult children, Sophia and Levi. Their family dog, Emmy, can sometimes be found lounging in the Rabbi’s Study by day. The Gittleman’s cherish their life in Sonoma County.
A native of Kentucky, Rabbi George earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in American History from the University of Vermont in 1984.
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 and the Jewish Mindfulness Meditation Certificate Program of the Institute for Jewish Spirituality.
Civic engagement is an important part of Rabbi George’s work. Currently he is a member of the Santa Rosa Police Chief’s Community Ambassador’s Team, on the Board of the Redwood Empire Food Bank, a member of the Clergy Council of the North Bay Organizing Project and a leader of the new Interfaith Fast Initiative.
Rabbi George is married to Laura, an artist and Nurse Executive for Kaiser, and they are blessed with twin adult children, Levi & Sophia.
Rabbi George's spirituality is grounded in nature. When he is not in the synagogue, you can find him hiking the hills or coastline of Sonoma County, birding, animal tracking or fly fishing.
