I need human help to enter verification code (office hours only)

Sign In Forgot Password
Home > Discover > Rabbi Ezray’s Sabbatical

Rabbi Ezray’s Sabbatical

Rabbi Ezray’s Sabbatical 

December 14, 2025 – July 13, 2026

Why a Sabbatical?
A sabbatical offers time for renewal, study, and the long-term strengthening of leadership. We are honored to give Rabbi Ezray this well-deserved time to step back, reflect, and recharge so he can return with renewed energy and vision.

What will Rabbi Ezray do?
During his sabbatical, Rabbi Ezray and Mimi will spend time in different parts of the country, enjoying family, friends, and everyday life. They hope for a true break from rabbinic responsibilities, but warmly welcome a friendly hello if you happen to see them.

Who will cover his duties?
A detailed coverage plan has been created and approved by the Board. Please see the Who to Contact Page for contact information. 

Ritual Director Bill Futornick and Barbara Powell will assume many of Rabbi Ezray’s day-to-day roles. We have also hired Rabbi Susan Lieder, who will visit two to three weekends a month to help lead services and support B’nai Mitzvah preparation. Rabbi Elana Zelony will lead adult education, religious school programs, and community observances during this period.

Questions?
Please contact Sarah Cohen or any member of the Sabbatical Support Committee: Alison Mellon, Tami Raubvogel, Marilyn Ezrin, and Amy Keer.

See Below for Additional Resources

Tzedakah

Over the past several months, I have mentioned a number of tzedakot and been asked to share them. This is not an extensive list of the many tzedakot I hope that people will support – just several recently mentioned.

Support of these worthy causes is deeply appreciated.

I. Israel

Leket Israel

Homepage: https://www.jnf.org

We had a wonderful presentation about Leket – the Israeli organization that rescues nutritious surplus food and donates it to Israel’s most needy. We learned that the issue of food insecurity in Israel is serious and that Leket serves over 415,000 people a week. CBJ members have had the opportunity to volunteer at Leket over the years.

Adam V’Adama – Eshkol Campus in Sde Nitzvah

Homepage: https://www.jnf.org

This is CBJ’s current partnership with an organization in Israel where we will cultivate deep connections. Adam V’Adama is Israel’s national network of agricultural high schools operating in the country’s frontier and agricultural regions. That we get to partner to empower the next generation of leadership, rebuild the Gaza Envelope, live the value of connection to the land is exciting. Our students will meet together, we will meet leaders of the efforts, and we

IsraAID

Homepage: https://www.israaid.org

IsraAID has been going to sites of disaster and need for years and working with local communities to provide for needs. They have been working behind the scenes (and recently became more public) as they seek to provide humanitarian aid to Palestinian civilians. They coordinate with the Israeli military and international organizations to ensure success.

Gaza Children Village

Homepage: https://www.gazachildrenvillage.org

We learned about the efforts of Dr. David Hassan, a Palestinian American doctor who has created several orphanages in Gaza in partnership with Israelis who emphasize mutual cooperation and empathy. It has been an honor to share Dr. Hassan’s story of courage and making a difference as he pursues a different path from warfare and hatred.

II. Local Efforts

Casa Esperanza – Episcopal Community Services (ECS)

Homepage: https://www.ecs-sf.org

We recently hosted speakers from Episcopal Community Services. ECS helps homeless families and individuals move to permanent housing. Recently they converted the Comfort Inn (next to Wendy’s on 1818 El Camino Real) into 51 units for homeless and formerly homeless adults. In addition to housing, ECS provides case management, resident engagement, health and wellness programs and job counseling. These are our neighbors and we will create opportunities to volunteer there as well.

Second Harvest (2nd Harvest of Silicon Valley)

Homepage: https://www.shfb.org

At a time when many of our neighbors live with food insecurity, 2nd Harvest is there to help. They provide food for over 500,000 people in our area each month. Donations can be stretched to help many people.

Redwood City Education Fund

Homepage: https://www.rcef.org

We are in the midst of a gift drive to bring joy, magic and relief to families in need this holiday season. We are asking congregants to either make a donation or purchase and wrap gifts and deliver them to CBJ or to Kennedy Middle School by Wednesday December 17th.

LifeMoves – Maple Street Shelter

Homepage: https://www.lifemoves.org

We will be serving meals at the Maple Street shelter, as we have for many year. LifeMoves is dedicated to helping individuals and families experiencing homelessness to return to stable housing and self-sufficiency.

III. Local and Regional Jewish Community

Please support the amazing partners we work with everyday:

Peninsula JCC (PJCC)

Homepage: https://www.pjcc.org

Oshman Family JCC (OFJCC)

Homepage: https://www.paloaltojcc.org

Z3 Project

Homepage: https://www.z3project.org

Wornick Jewish Day School

Homepage: https://www.wornickjds.org

Hausner Jewish Day School

Homepage: https://www.hausner.com

Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC)

Homepage: https://www.jcrc.org

Hebrew Free Loan Association (HFLA)

Homepage: https://www.hflasf.org

Jewish LearningWorks (JLW)

Homepage: https://www.jewishlearningworks.org

Jewish Baby Network (JBN)

Homepage: https://www.jewishbabynetwork.org

Shalom Bayit

Homepage: https://www.shalom-bayit.org

Friendship Circle

Homepage: https://www.bayareafc.org

Hillel at Stanford

Homepage: https://www.stanfordhillel.org

Hillel of Silicon Valley

Homepage: https://www.hillelsv.org

Jewish Family and Children’s Services (JFCS)

Homepage: https://www.jfcs.org

Jewish Federation of the Bay Area

Homepage: https://www.jewishfed.org

Jewish Summer Camps: Ramah Galim, Camp Tawonga, Camp Newman, Camp Maccabee

Homepage examples:

Thu, January 15 2026 26 Tevet 5786