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| Rabbi Yisroel Finman |
While in college in San Francisco he encountered
Shlomo Carlebach at The House of Love and Prayer,
the only Jewish presence in Haight Ashbury.
His experiences with the Singing Rabbi kindled a dormant flame,
and he became Shlomo Carlbach's student.
His increased involvement in Jewish practice and The House of
Love and Prayer led to his becoming its Assistant Director.
As his thirst for Torah knowledge grew, he realized that
he needed a structured study program, so he attended
yeshiva in Denver for two years under the tutelage of the
great Rabbi Shloime Twerski.
Subsequently he moved back to San Francisco and
became Director of Shlomo Carlebach's House of Love
and Prayer.
Although he realized that his true calling is to be a Rabbi,
his familial responsibilities necessitated his working in
physical labor such as underground construction, home
remodeling, truck driving, production plant, restaurant
and retail management.
he needed a structured study program, so he attended
yeshiva in Denver for two years under the tutelage of the
great Rabbi Shloime Twerski.
Subsequently he moved back to San Francisco and
became Director of Shlomo Carlebach's House of Love
and Prayer.
Although he realized that his true calling is to be a Rabbi,
his familial responsibilities necessitated his working in
physical labor such as underground construction, home
remodeling, truck driving, production plant, restaurant
and retail management.
Eventually Rabbi Yisroel became involved in the kosher food industry, supervising the production of dairy
products in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, and working in a kosher slaughterhouse in Denver.
This evolved into positions as Director of the Vaad Ha-Ir of Syracuse, Inspector for New York State Dept. of
Agriculture/ Kosher Law Enforcement, and Mashgiach for the OU, OK, StarK and Satmar kashruth
organizations.
In due course Rabbi Yisroel was able pursue intensive Rabbinic studies leading towards Rabbinic ordination,
which he received from Rabbi Shlomo Carlebach on his fortieth birthday.
He has five gorgeous children, Hodayah, Shayna, Dov Ber, Elisha, and Tzvi Aryeh, and is the jubilant Grandfather
of Yosef Yitzchok Finman
Bio written by Rebbetzen Judy
products in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, and working in a kosher slaughterhouse in Denver.
This evolved into positions as Director of the Vaad Ha-Ir of Syracuse, Inspector for New York State Dept. of
Agriculture/ Kosher Law Enforcement, and Mashgiach for the OU, OK, StarK and Satmar kashruth
organizations.
In due course Rabbi Yisroel was able pursue intensive Rabbinic studies leading towards Rabbinic ordination,
which he received from Rabbi Shlomo Carlebach on his fortieth birthday.
He has five gorgeous children, Hodayah, Shayna, Dov Ber, Elisha, and Tzvi Aryeh, and is the jubilant Grandfather
of Yosef Yitzchok Finman
Bio written by Rebbetzen Judy
Rabbi Yisroel, founder and director of Nishmat-
innovative jewish solutions, has been involved in
Jewish outreach for over 35 years.
He has served as congregational rabbi for nine years.
He also served for many years as a Director of the
House of Love and Prayer, Shlomo Carlebach's famous
community in San Francisco, through whose doors
countless searching Jews became reacquainted with
their heritage, experienced the ecstasy of G*dliness,
and began a journey to their people.
Nishmat serves as a vehicle for Rabbi Yisroel's unique flavor of Judaism, which is infused with
Shlomo Carlebach’s and the Baal Shem Tov's teachings of the merging of a Chassidic approach to
spirituality with a pragmatic contemporary approach to traditional halacha.
As one of Shlomo Carlebach's primary disciples, Rabbi Yisroel has carried on the work of his Rabbi
through this organization. From Carlebach Shabbos retreats, Torah classes, online counseling, and
life-cycle events, the message of joy, unconditional love and Chassidic warmth is palpable.
innovative jewish solutions, has been involved in
Jewish outreach for over 35 years.
He has served as congregational rabbi for nine years.
He also served for many years as a Director of the
House of Love and Prayer, Shlomo Carlebach's famous
community in San Francisco, through whose doors
countless searching Jews became reacquainted with
their heritage, experienced the ecstasy of G*dliness,
and began a journey to their people.
Nishmat serves as a vehicle for Rabbi Yisroel's unique flavor of Judaism, which is infused with
Shlomo Carlebach’s and the Baal Shem Tov's teachings of the merging of a Chassidic approach to
spirituality with a pragmatic contemporary approach to traditional halacha.
As one of Shlomo Carlebach's primary disciples, Rabbi Yisroel has carried on the work of his Rabbi
through this organization. From Carlebach Shabbos retreats, Torah classes, online counseling, and
life-cycle events, the message of joy, unconditional love and Chassidic warmth is palpable.
| "combining a Chassidic approach to spirituality with a pragmatic contemporary approach to traditional halacha." |
During the nine years that Rabbi Yisroel served as spiritual leader of Rosedale Jewish Center in New York,
he also gave weekly classes at the Carlebach Synagogue in Manhatten, organized Carlebach Shabbos
retreats, published the weekly Torahs of the Heart, contributed to the "Ask-a- Rabbi" web site, and
coordinated community services for the victims of domestic violence and treatment of substance abuse.
After 9 years of rabbinical service in Queens, New York, Rabbi Yisroel was brought in to Key West to
revitalize and counsel the devastated community, following the destruction of the Bnai Zion Synagogue in
2002 by arson,and to oversee its rebuilding. Rabbi Yisroel established The Family Learning Center, which
is a model for small Jewish communities. He also expanded and organized Jewish services in
Key West for the residents as well as for visitors. Under his guidance the community underwent a
spiritual as well as physical renewal, and became a Southernmost beacon of Judaism.
he also gave weekly classes at the Carlebach Synagogue in Manhatten, organized Carlebach Shabbos
retreats, published the weekly Torahs of the Heart, contributed to the "Ask-a- Rabbi" web site, and
coordinated community services for the victims of domestic violence and treatment of substance abuse.
After 9 years of rabbinical service in Queens, New York, Rabbi Yisroel was brought in to Key West to
revitalize and counsel the devastated community, following the destruction of the Bnai Zion Synagogue in
2002 by arson,and to oversee its rebuilding. Rabbi Yisroel established The Family Learning Center, which
is a model for small Jewish communities. He also expanded and organized Jewish services in
Key West for the residents as well as for visitors. Under his guidance the community underwent a
spiritual as well as physical renewal, and became a Southernmost beacon of Judaism.
Rabbi Yisroel telling a Torah story to children
Jewish Key West
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| Telephone 305-304-0290 |
| Rabbi Yisroel & Judy Finman |
| EVERY ONE NEEDS A RABBI SOMETIME |
- Rabbi Yisroel's Life Path
Rabbi Yisroel's journey has been rather nonconventional.
He was born in Newark, NJ and raised in a typical post war
setting: Orthodox grandparents who produced Conservadox
children who in turn produced modern American children.
As a teen Yisroel questioned the diluted Judaism and social
conventions, and initiated a search which traversed the worlds
of eastern religions and alternative lifestyles and lead him to a
strengthening of his roots.
Rabbi Yisroel currently officiates at weddings and other
Jewish life cycle events throughout the world;
is a scholar in residence and lecturer;
is the Spiritual Directory of
The Spiritual Rejuvenation Center.com
conducts Carlebach Shabbatons;
organizes a multitude of events such as
the 2005 Carlebach Weekend in Boca Raton,
the Tu B'Shvat Seder and
the Amen lecture at Boca Tov Cafe.
He facilitates the weekly Torah study group at Judeo Drive
and is also available for private adult education.
Rabbi Yisroel writes a blog Jewrusalem.blogspot.com.
He is a consultant and supplies supervision to the kosher
food industry as the director of Chai Kosher Consultations.
Jewish life cycle events throughout the world;
is a scholar in residence and lecturer;
is the Spiritual Directory of
The Spiritual Rejuvenation Center.com
conducts Carlebach Shabbatons;
organizes a multitude of events such as
the 2005 Carlebach Weekend in Boca Raton,
the Tu B'Shvat Seder and
the Amen lecture at Boca Tov Cafe.
He facilitates the weekly Torah study group at Judeo Drive
and is also available for private adult education.
Rabbi Yisroel writes a blog Jewrusalem.blogspot.com.
He is a consultant and supplies supervision to the kosher
food industry as the director of Chai Kosher Consultations.
Rabbi Yisroel is available for weddings,
as a Scholar-in-Residence, for Shabbos
retreats and other events, for study
groups and private adult education and
counsel--- all in the Carlebach style