We, the Board of Beyt Tikkun, are excited to announce that Rabbi Cat Zavis will become a Rabbi of Beyt Tikkun, effective July 1st. She will partner with Rabbi Michael Lerner to support and expand the spiritual and educational offerings of our synagogue.
As many of you know, Cat is an accomplished lawyer, spiritual social justice activist, and visionary leader with over 20 years experience in empathic and people-centered leadership and collaboration. She has served as co-editor of Tikkun magazine and executive director of the Network of Spiritual Progressives. Importantly, she has studied with and been mentored by Rabbi Michael Lerner. She recognizes the value and beauty of his teachings, while simultaneously bringing in new dimensions. We have been uplifted by her reinterpretation of traditional prayers and have benefited from her course, Prophetic Empathy. With her ordination as Rabbi in 2023, she is now poised to assume the position of Rabbi.
Rabbi Michael Lerner will continue to contribute actively to Beyt Tikkun at High Holiday and Shabbat services. We are so grateful for his continued presence and contribution. Since founding Beyt Tikkun in 1996, he has created a spiritual practice that is rooted in the long tradition of Judaism and yet innovative and dynamic. He has taught us to conceptualize the divine as the force that allows the transformation of what is to what could be and has demonstrated how Jewish writings and traditions can bring moral clarity to the challenging issues of our complex times. We are indebted to him for leadership and wisdom. He will continue sharing his distinctive perspectives going forward, as his health permits.
This transition has inspired us to refresh our mission and purpose. We plan to continue Rabbi Lerner’s legacy.
Our Mission: At Beyt Tikkun, we believe in a Judaism of love and transformation. We heal ourselves and our world through joyful and meaningful spiritual practice, loving relationships, social activism, and revolutionary consciousness.
The purpose flows from the name:
Beyt Tikkun: A Synagogue without Walls
- Beyt: A House – A welcoming, joyful space for spiritual seekers
- Tikkun: Healing, repair, and transformation of ourselves and our world
- A Synagogue: A Jewish Renewal community of prayer, ritual, custom, and study. We integrate spiritual and prophetic consciousness with spiritual activism to create a more loving and just world.
- Without Walls: You don’t have to be Jewish, religiously observant, or in the Bay Area to pray with us, learn with us, or be a member of our community.
We will be communicating again soon with information about membership, opportunities to be engaged with the community, and details of the schedule of activities before, during, and after High Holiday services.
We look forward to seeing you at Shabbat services and at High Holidays.
Heidi Feldman, President
Cecelia Wambach, Secretary
Neil Penn, Treasurer
Debbie Duenas
Dale Rabinov
The Board of Beyt Tikkun
