Rekindling the Light: A Day of Mindfulness and Renewal with Rabbi George
Friday, December 11, 2026; 9:30 AM – 3:30 AM
Join Rabbi George for this one day Meditation Retreat.
As the days grow shorter, Hanukkah invites us to kindle light in the darkness. The holiday recalls not only a miracle of light but also a time of renewal and rededication—a return to what matters most.
On the seventh day of Hanukkah, join Rabbi George Gittleman for a day of silence, mindfulness, and rest in the beautiful surroundings of Open Sky.
The foundation of the day will be basic mindfulness practice, including sitting and walking meditation. Most of our time together will be held in silence, allowing us to slow down, listen deeply, and reconnect with the light within and around us. There will also be time for questions, conversation, and simply relaxing into the natural setting.
No previous meditation experience is necessary, and people of all backgrounds are welcome.
Please bring your own lunch. Snacks will be provided.
Blessings!
Fee: $75; (scholarships available)
To register, contact Ruth Mankin at ruthmankinarts@gmail.com and put in the subject:
Rabbi George Mindful Meditation Practice.
Rabbi George is the Rabbi Emeritus of Congregation Shomrei Torah in Santa Rosa, California, where he served as their spiritual leader from 1996 until June of last year. A native of Kentucky, Rabbi George earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in American History from the University of Vermont in 1984.
In 1991, after spending eight years in business, Rabbi George began his rabbinical journey, obtaining a Master of Hebrew Letters and Ordination from the Reform Seminary, Hebrew Union College Jewish Institute of Religion in 1996.
Rabbi George is a Senior Rabbinic Fellow at the prestigious Shalom Hartman Institute in Jerusalem and a graduate of both the Rabbinic Leadership Program and the Jewish Mindfulness Meditation Certificate Program at the Institute for Jewish Spirituality.
Early in his time in Sonoma County, Rabbi George met Sylvia Boorstein, who encouraged him to develop his meditation practice and make silent retreats a regular part of his life. Thanks to Sylvia and other teachers along the way, Rabbi George developed his own meditation style, which he often refers to as a melding of Buddhist practice and Jewish wisdom.
Tikkun Olam (The Repair of the World) is an essential aspect of his spiritual journey, whether it be advocating for immigrant rights, fighting for marriage equality, working to find housing for the unsheltered, or supporting local nonprofits like the Redwood Empire Food Bank.
Rabbi George is married to Laura, an artist and Nurse Executive at Kaiser. They are blessed with twin adult children, Levi and Sophia, and grandchild, Jamie.
Rabbi George’s spirituality is deeply grounded in nature. When he is not in the synagogue, you can find him hiking the hills or coastline of Sonoma County, birdwatching, animal tracking, or fly fishing.