  Meet Our Rabbi
Rabbi Richard Winer inspires members of the synagogue community to participate in Jewish life. With respect and warmth, he encourages us to build strong connections with each other and Judaism. He enjoys music and uses it to create a bridge to prayer.
Rabbi Winer leads weekly Shabbat services with an inclusive and participatory style. He encourages lively discussion of the weekly Torah portion at our Saturday morning study group. Accompanied by his guitar, Rabbi Winer sings and prays with the children in our Sunday morning religious school; and he celebrates Shabbat and other holidays with the children in our preschool. During the week Rabbi Winer leads our adult b'nai mitzvah class and teaches at Midrasha, a Jewish community high school program for students in grades 8 through 12.
Born and raised in the East Bay, Rabbi Winer came to Congregation Beth Emek in 1995 following his ordination from Hebrew Union College. Rabbi Winer is President of the Tri-Valley Interfaith Council and a member of the East Bay Council of Rabbis. He is married to Rabbi Laura Novak Winer; they have two sons, Saul and Max.
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 Divrei Derech
Words From The Road
Recent posts from Rabbi Rick's Blog
Considering Modern Idolatry... thoughts on Parshat Ki Tisa
We’ve been exploring the fascinating topic of idolatry as this week’s Torah portion brings us one of the low points on our road to monotheism… the episode of the golden calf. Apparently, idolatry is still alive and well. We have...
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The (not so) long journey to CCAR
Budgets as they are these days, I don’t always make it to the annual convention of the Central Conference of American Rabbis (CCAR), but since our sparkling city by the bay is hosting this year’s gathering, I’m looking forward to...
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Entertaining film offerings here in Livermore!
Our family very much enjoyed all three of the films shown here locally as part of the East Bay International Jewish Film Festival. Who would have thought that such a wonderful opportunity would be available to us here in Livermore,...
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What's in a name?
I got a question on the giving of Hebrew names from a minister buddy and thought it would be worth explaining in a bit greater detail here on the blog. Traditionally, we bestow the Hebrew name during a birth ritual....
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It's never too late...
I’m sure there are countless things that could go on a list entitled ‘It’s never too late…’ Here’s another one. We were standing in the kitchen shmoozing (that’s hanging out and talking) as Eric’s family prepared the food for his...
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