Who We are
Mission and History
History
Our Mission</
A Reform, forward-thinking congregation living Jewish values in a warm, engaging community. We embrace Torah through prayer, lifelong learning, and tikkun olam.
History
Our Guiding Principles
We honor Jewish tradition and culture through prayer: we celebrate Shabbat and holidays as a vibrant, diverse community with a connection to Israel.
We honor Jewish wisdom through learning: children and adults search for modern relevance in our ancient and rabbinic teachings.
We honor Jewish responsibility by pursuing social justice: we dedicate ourselves to repairing the world.
History
Our History
Temple Etz Rimon was founded in June 2000 by Barbara Browne and Eitan Aharoni in response to a need to create a new Jewish “home” for Reform Jews in Coastal North County. Eitan and Barbara quickly found other interested families, and rented space at the Carlsbad Women’s Club for weekly Shabbat services.
Temple Etz Rimon’s first Rabbi was Mel Weinman. Rabbis David Barnett, Mark Goldfarb, and Ben Kamin followed him. Several other rabbis shared their unique personalities and perspectives on Shabbat and holidays, including the late Rabbi Bernie King, Rabbi Hillel Cohn and Rabbi Arnold Kopikis. Rabbi Karen Sherman led the congregation from 2009 until 2019, and the congregation is happy to have Cantor Caitlin Bromberg serving as our current spiritual leader.
As Temple Etz Rimon grew, it moved to Pilgrim Church, where we could comfortably hold both weekly Shabbat services and High Holiday services. Today, we continue to meet in their warm and inviting sanctuary and share their sacred space.
Barbara Browne and Eitan Aharoni served as our first temple presidents and were followed by several devoted and talented volunteer leaders.