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Michael Barenbaum Obituary
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Memories and Condolences
for Michael Barenbaum
Sponsored by MarinIJ.com.
joszef patar
October 2, 2025
Rabbi Micheal, your memory will always be a blessing. You had the single biggest impact in my life, my conversion 40 years ago was truly a blessing.
My life has been lived repeating your anecdotes while teaching my now grown children and friends and family around the beauty of Judaism.
Your heart was humble and fatherly. Thank you and may your memory be a blessing to all!
Joszef and Lauren Patar
circa 1985-89
Yom Kippur 2025 V.B.
Oak Dowling
May 24, 2020
Michael was a good friend.
Donald Pino
July 8, 2018
Rabbi ani i shared many stories at nautalis of marin. He was the first rabbi i ever met. I am blessed to have known him
June 3, 2014
Your are a Marin County spiritual leader.We were introduced to you 20 years ago.
Carl Cox
Debora Hadeen
June 1, 2014
I am saddened to read of Rabbi Michael Barenbaum's leviya. He and Hannah were both warm and inviting, opening their home and hearts to all. They both supported my family through happy and difficult times and I have missed that counsel. May his memory be a blessing.
Jay Siegan
June 1, 2014
As a young member of Rodef Shalom in the 70s and 80s, I was inspired by Rabbi Michael Barenbaum's encouragement and kindness. He created a inspiring and creative atmosphere for Judaic studies, even for kids like myself who weren't naturally studious. He helped create a community for so many people, inspiring countless people who I know well. I remember his warm smile and deep voice, which resonated in sermons and song. What a wonderful legacy he has and a lasting imprint on his community.
I remember and honor him with great fondness and and profound respect.
With deepest sympathies to his family,
Jay Siegan
First Presbyterian Church
June 1, 2014
The congregation of First Presbyterian Church of Galveston Texas sends condolences and prayers. This is the church of Rabbi Barenbaum's son-in-law's mother , Golda Leonard. Golda has repeatedly praised Michael's character.
Anna Giacomini
June 1, 2014
As a young girl at Rodef Shalom in the early '70s, our beloved Rabbi moved on. I remember thinking that no one could replace him but Rabbi Michael Barenbaum did and more. He connected with me spiritually and personally. He took time to know me and talk with me at my level. Not just me but all the kids. Before my Bat'Mizvah, he took me out to lunch to celebrate and talk about this next step in my life. Even let me pick the place...a mexican restaurant in San Rafael. I remember feeling like a VIP and was impressed by his commitment to the kids and teens at our temple. When I was confirmed, he and his wife opened their home to our whole confirmation in celebration. As I grew older and eventually moved out of state, I enjoyed the comfort of coming home and going to his services and listening to him chant and sing (which he did less frequently so when he did, it felt special). He was a kind man and wonderful rabbi who made an impression on me and will always be remembered in my book of life.
David Waksberg
May 31, 2014
I met Michael in 1981 when he traveled to the USSR to meet with refuseniks. I had recently started working at the Bay Area Council for Soviet Jews. I remember Michael sharing the stories of his visits and I remember Michael as a thoughtful, caring, and effective advocate for human rights - for Russian Jews and many others.
I learned much from Michael and was so grateful for his friendship and support.
Ken Kramarz
May 31, 2014
I first got to know Rabbi Barenbaum about 30 years ago when he was on the Board of Directors of Camp Tawonga and I was on staff. I loved working for him and that led to my family joining Rodef Sholom, which has led to so many blessings. Michael was devoted to the idea that every child who wanted to come to camp should be helped, and he backed that up with generous support of our campership program. Michael was a mentor to me and a mensch to all. His legacy will live in our hearts forever.
May 31, 2014
Rabbi Barenbaum officiated at our son, Ben's bar mitzvah in 1998. He was truly an inspiring teacher to our son which led Ben to delve deeper into Jewish learning and study. May his memory be a blessing.
Felicia Kramarz, Larkspur, CA
Gail/Merv Giacomini
May 31, 2014
Rabbi Michael Barenbaum was a healing, joyful influence during our Rodef Sholom congregation's growth. Rodef' congregants since 1971, we observed Michael living and leading with personal challenges, sometimes with difficulty, yet still demonstrating how to be a loving husband, father, faith and community leader. Thank you, Michael, for all you brought to us with your wisdom, your understanding and, yes- your sense of humor. We will miss you.
Liz Marin
May 31, 2014
Michael was a great man and a great Rabbi.
I am so sad to hear of his passing.
Ina Golub
May 31, 2014
I first met Michael when he visited my Judaic art exhibit at a UHC Biennial in Houston years ago. He looked at a tallit in my booth and said ... "I want that one," .... but "that one" belonged to someone else and as we started to talk I told him he had the bluest eyes I had ever seen and therefore his tallit had to have blue in it. He commissioned a handwoven tallit for himself and yes, it had lots of blue in the design. A few months later, he called and invited me to create new bimah textiles and Torah covers for Rodef Sholom and my friendship with Michael and Hannah grew as I visited San Rafael several times during the process to complete the commission. Michael was highly creative and a joy to work with. We hadn't been in touch recently although we spoke once on the phone after Hannah died and I also knew that he had been ill for a long time before that. I was terribly saddened to hear today about his death. To his children, grandchildren, and congregation, my warmest condolences. May Michael's memory be a blessing for eternity.
Rachel Henry
May 31, 2014
A good and wise man. He will be greatly missed. May he rest in peace.
Naomi Sachs-Amrami
May 31, 2014
Michael Barenbaum was an amazing teacher, mentor, friend, educator, Rabbi. He will forever be the rabbi of my youth - I can't think of adolescence at Rodef Sholom without thinking of Michael. I wish I could be in San Rafael tomorrow to pay my respects. I'll be there in spirit... May his memory be for a blessing.
May 31, 2014
Michael Barenbaum was a brilliant teacher and a warm, caring rabbi to us all. He helped create our amazing, vibrant community at Rodef Sholom and we are grateful to have had him among us for so many years.
May his memory be a blessing.
Cindy Ostroff & Raoul Stepakoff
Moji Javid
May 31, 2014
Tomorrow I say good bye to my Rabbi, my friend, my mentor, my role model and colleague. Rabbi Michael Barenbaum was my Rabbi when my family first joined the synagogue in 1978 when we arrived from Iran and seventeen years ago he encouraged me to apply for the position I am in today and brought me back to this incredible Rodef Sholom Community where he helped me grow professionally and personally. I know how happy he was to be a part of my life and my children's life. I'm so grateful to him for so much and so sad to say good bye. Rest in peace Michael. Moji
May 31, 2014
A great man and great member of the community of Marin. Oak Dowling
Brenley Brotman Morris
May 31, 2014
Danny and Naomi, words cannot express the loss that is being felt throughout the Jewish Community. Your dad touched the lives of generations through his love, guidance and strength. He was a role model to us all. Although his greatness had no boundaries, his love for you, Danny, Hannah and the grandchildren was limitless.
Sending lots of love.
Joanna Elizabeth
May 31, 2014
Rabbi Barenbaum was a wonderful person. I grew up with him as my Rabbi, and I have very clear memories of how loving and remarkable his presence was.
Anne Rogers
May 31, 2014
Michael was such a wonderful man. His death is a great loss to all who knew him.
Erin Scholnick-Lee
May 30, 2014
I am so sad to learn of Rabbi Barenbaums passing. He helped guide me through my youth and my Jewish learning. He officiated my Bat Mizvah and confirmation. He was kind and patient and he loved us all...I know that I am better for having known him.....
Rob & Judy Ruby
May 30, 2014
Rabbi Michael conducted our childrens' bar & bat mitzvah in 1994 & 1998 and we still consider that highlights of our family life. May his memory be a blessing.
May 30, 2014
Michael's mother Rena and my mother Viola (Greenberger) Lieber were girlhood friends. Michael officiated at my husband and my wedding 34 years ago and the wedding of my nephew 19 years ago. May his memory be a blessing. Susan Lieber
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