good morning welcome to mosaic. i'm honored to be your host this morning. across our country clergy spend a lot of time thinking about peer support and peer education. the ways in which clergy themselves need to pay attention to their own health. we like to invite you into conversation with rabbi pam, the current president of the board of directors of the northern california board of rabbis and also herself the congregation here in san francisco. >> thank you, for having me.

i am delighted to be here. >> we are glad to have you. let's jump in and talk a little bit about congregation in a moment. the board of rabbis can you talk a little bit about what the board is and its function. perhaps even your vision for the future as our current president. >> sure the board of the northern california has a very wide geographic area. we spanned from the oregon border in the north to eastern border of california and going over into nevada around reno and lake tahoe. south around salinas and monterey, and then west over to the pacific ocean. we are open to ordained rabbis across the spectrum. reform, conservative, orthodox, we have rabbis that are not

affiliated with a particular nomination even though they may have been trained in one. >> as truth and advertising i am a member of the board. i am a former president myself up order directors. i am curious to know if you can talk a little bit about the ways in which the board thinks of itself as a peer group. as a group in which rabbis themselves care for each other and one another. >> we take turns walking in each other's footsteps. our executive committee rotates over time. there are many colleagues who have served in the role of president and executive director. by taking turns we continue as a unified

organization but are complexion changes slightly and highlights different towns and capacities as we change leaders. one of the wonderful things about the board of rabbis is we support each other as rabbis well serving the greater community. the jewish community and interfaith community. >> i know it's a big question. on the face of it why is it important in any community that faith leaders, rabbis, priests, ministers, pastors actually come together unto themselves? why is that important to our case and clergy? why should a community care about that? >> it's incredibly important in the jewish community for reasons i also relate to other faith, and other different reasons. for example within

judaism we have different streams or denominations. the board of rabbis is meeting ground in a common ground for rabbis who may be orthodox or reform conservative. not affiliated with a movement. he gives us a chance to develop our friendships. to learn together which allows us to learn from each other in addition to who might be at the front of the room on a given time. it allows us to amplify our voice on issues that are important. we don't take a lot of stance. we have a newsletter every month that helps rabbis inform each other about what's going on. i think that's a particular jewish specific set of reasons in terms of faith in general. i think it's extremely important that we not only be strong

within our own faith in supporting our congregant and constituents but that we are clearly part of the human family , and the community of faith. our board of rabbis gives us a venue for connecting with others . i am going to go soon to a meeting of the san francisco foundation of faith and action initiative. i really look forward to being with my colleagues of other faiths, and while i could come in as a loan rabbi being able to be there representing rabbis across the spectrum with my colleagues from other faiths representing their faith leaders across the spectrum it creates possibility and the kind of warmth and support that is wonderful both in group times and in times of challenge. i want to say one more thing. at the time of the very tragic pittsburgh shooting after -- in

the aftermath i was at a gathering at congregation emmanuelle in san francisco. there were depending on who estimate you go with there was 1200 to 1800 people. on the pope it were religious leaders from diverse faiths. many of whom i knew and was friends with for years. just to be able. the shooting was on saturday, and here we were sitting in the middle of the day on sunday, the gathering of that kind of support happens because of the relationships we build during good times. >> thank you, so much. were going to take a quick break.

good morning, welcome back to mosaic. i am honored to be your host. were in the middle of a conversation. we are talking to a rabbi here in san francisco and the current president of the board of directors. welcome back. >> thank you. >> we were talking about the role of rabbis at large and within the context of representing northern california. one of the things i feel that's

interesting is northern california board of rabbis is very much noted for its collegiality and part because it doesn't necessarily take official stance on issues that might actually cause affection among the members. we need to be supporting each other and other stances we take in the community whether it's an issue around same-sex marriage or issues among convergent, or civic issues at large. can you talk about the context in how you as our rabbi responds in a larger community. like a shooting, or the political issue . how do you think as our president about the ways in which the board of rabbis

response to civic issues? >> that's a very important question. what we do is express empathy. we express solidarity. without taking a stand. a moment ago i was talking about being a congregation emmanuelle after the shooting in the tree of life synagogue in pittsburgh and how colleagues across the face came out to support the jewish community. i am you and others of us have been at gatherings to support people of diverse faiths. those who live in northern california and those that live elsewhere. i'm thinking today about a monotheistic minority whose homeland is in northern iraq. when they were experiencing a recent genocide that began in 2014, the board of rabbis

stepped up together with interfaith councils in our area to raise consciousness about the plight of these cities and to raise funds to help in certain ways without taking any stand for or against anyone. as part of supporting, we also supported christians facing a particular horrific time. the situation was never defined as a genocide, but was on that level. we supported both communities. >> we are seeing the law in our community and also sadly the country that has to do with a kind of rising anti-jewish, anti-somatic sentiment. whether it's something in social media, or whether a publication. whether it's something that comes from an individual. what

is the role of the faith community when there is a distinct group. in this case marked in a way that's really filled with prejudice? >> i think that such a good question. i think there isn't one way to do it. the most important part is the developing and evolving of relationships over time. we can be responsive to whatever is happening in a given moment. the relationships we have with faith leaders across the spec from help us to become creative in the moment it's needed. i am very concerned about the amount of anti-semitism in united states and elsewhere in the world and at the same time i'm also concerned and i know you are as well about the antitrust against so many other

people. people of color. people of certain gender preference. people who are perceived in a certain way. i've been reading literature with comments about women. i was just reading a comment by an automatic who was defying the fact the country may be run by women. there was something about the way it was worded that was so anti-women that it reminded me any group can be targeted at any time. being able to stand together with one another against anti- semitism, and to stand with others when they are persecuted is one of my roles. >> that's an important point to develop. this crisis has changed almost everything,

but not our resolve. we've pulled together, worked hard to keep each other safe. we've flattened the curve and are starting to reopen our communities. we can protect the people we love, and help californians get back on their feet. for our families and our communities, let's stay the course and stop the spread.

welcome back to mosaic. we are in a wonderful conversation. you know, when we enter the last segment you were talking about ways in which there is a rise in what i think of as other ring someone who is not like you. the particular role the faith community and bringing a voice to what that is. i am wondering what your thoughts are when we talk about a faith community what the core values whether you are christian, jewish, hindu, muslim, buddhist. there is a way in which we recognize any individual is uniquely created in the image of the divine. we might use different language

to articulate that value but that's the core of understanding that every individual person represents something that is transcendent. something that is divine. when somebody makes another person to be afraid of, or somebody that's not like you is somebody not to be regarded in that same way, how does a faith community take its values and articulate a different perspective? >> that's such a good question. as they were saying i serve congregation, and we are in the process of celebrating our 70th anniversary. we were founded on hanukkah in 1949. the primary population among our founders were holocaust survivors from europe who survived by being in shanghai. shanghai was an international city at the time and well life

was extremely difficult there it was much better than what could have happened to these people if they had still been in europe in areas of occupation. our congregation continues to have holocaust survivors with us until this day as well as second and third generation survivors. we focus on being warm and welcoming. we do that because that's who we are and how we believe. we believe it's a response to dehumanizing what happens when you are being persecuted. we welcome . we have a saying that everyone is jewish enough and we welcome interfaith families. it's a way of making that very point. >> a feeling of belonging is so crucial to any faith group and

every minister priest or pastor. think a lot about how there is fear of influence in service. lead by an example of belonging. i am wondering if you could talk a little bit about how this experience in history of holocaust survivors coming out of shanghai really speaks today to the ways in which the congregation has a sense that everybody belongs. you are jewish enough. it creates a culture of belonging. >> you know, we are very blessed to have many goals on our pulpit. we have seven beautiful scrolls . in addition to those seven there is one that's not in it. it's in a plexiglas holder instead. it's open even though our tradition is to keep it rolled

and with a pitiful cover on it. that is one of them from the czech republic. a holocaust surviving area. we find ways to deviate from the norm in order to honor the past. on a the suffering of the past and celebrate the future. that holocaust [ inaudible ] represents a memory of something that's very horrible that happened. if you look further you will see in the holder are stuffed [ inaudible ] children come up and they could take it and carry it in the procession. when we come back if we are putting it away at that moment they can take the stuffy and they could go right into the ark with the real ones. these are just ways we find to make room for everyone. we have an interfaith guest, we

show them and teach them about our tradition without proselytizing or trying to convince them to be like us but just making sure they know how much we appreciate them. >> yankee. were gonna come back to mosaic in just a moment. to go to the grocery store.

mask! i swear. this guy would be a mess without me. stay healthy and slow the spread. wear a mask when going out in public.

good morning welcome back to mosaic we are in the middle of a wonderful conversation with rat boy rabbi frydman. what is new at your congregation? >> we are a traditional conservative congregation. at the same time we make use of the internet. at any given time you could go to the home page and you will see the slideshow at the top what our newest important events are. if you're interested in hearing from us regularly we have email. we email out every week. our programming changes. it's always warm and friendly.

>> do you have special events coming up? >> we do those are listed on the website. >> can you talk a little bit about the fact you are part of the conservative movement. not everybody understands the different movements in the jewish community. can you say in a short way the conservative movement in jewish life and how your congregation is a member of it. >> conservative i would define in terms of conservation. we are part of the united synagogue of judaism. the conservative movement is kind of in the middle in a certain way. between orthodox and reform. we are not looking at ourselves in the mirror to see where we are on the vector.

we are looking at the person walking through the door and say how can we welcome you and how can we help you define your path within judaism or relation to judaism. >> as our current president you yourself and body diversity because you serve in a pulpit at the congregation. you are ordained through the renewal movement. you are a past national president of the movement. you yourself represent the diversity of life in the country and in the bay area. can you talk about the renewal movement it self. >> the purpose is to breathe new life into judaism. it is not see itself as a dom denomination. we welcome rabbis and members to affiliate with and continue the religious practice on whatever

level feels right to them. >> we only have a minute or so left. i want to ask you a big question. you talk a lot about the value of relationships. you talk about points of challenge in the community religiously, and cynically. i myself think, and i know others believe as well as goes relationship among clergy so goes the community and we model relationship with one another as a way of modeling relationship in the community at large. i am wondering what ideas you have your vision for. what that relationship will do to the benefit of the community among rabbis in the future as part of the board of rabbis. >> one of the most important things we do in addition to connecting with each other is

being available to serve in the community. if someone contacts the board of rabbis that is looking for a particular purpose, we make a referral. in general the openness of rabbis to welcome every city in front of them and try to help that person wherever they are going. it's one of the most important things we can do as rabbis as members of the family. >> thank you so much for being with us. this has been a pleasure to have you with us. out in the community pay attention to your clergy person. give them your support and encourage them to be among their peers. thank you for being with us. we're all doing our part by staying at home.

that could mean an increase in energy bills. you can save by using a fan to cool off... unplugging and turning off devices when not in use...

or closing your shades during the day. stay well and keep it golden. >> this is kpix f naus. >> looters attacked multiple stores in emoryville. another night of unrest. >> san francisco's mayor orders the dusk to dawn curfew. it will resume this evening. a woman is under arrest in san jose booked for attempted murder for allegedly plowing her car into a crowd of protesters friday. it is just about 6:00 a.m. on this sunday, may 31st, 2020. >> looting broke out last night across emoryville and san francisco in the wake of protests over the death