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BORN
1938
DIED
2022
FUNERAL HOME
Martin Weiner Obituary
Rabbi Martin S. Weiner passed away peacefully on March 3rd at home, surrounded by loving family and compassionate caretakers. He was a "rabbi's rabbi," a model, mentor, and mensch—modeling selfless service to others and an unqualified commitment to justice; mentoring many young rabbis who continued to call upon his wisdom and insight, including his son; and exuding a gentle and embracing menschlikeit to all whose lives he touched. Marty was a proud, native San Franciscan, the eldest son of Benjamin and Yetta Weiner.
He came of age in the Sunset and Richmond Districts, attended Jefferson and Lafayette Elementary Schools, Presidio Junior High School, graduated from George Washington High School and the University of California at Berkeley, and received a Master's Degree and Rabbinic Ordination from the Hebrew Union College/Jewish Institute for Religion in Cincinnati. He served Temple Oheb Shalom in Baltimore as an assistant, associate, and co-rabbi before returning to his hometown to become the Senior Rabbi of Congregation Sherith Israel, retiring in 2003 after 31 years of dedicated leadership. Marty served on myriad boards and committees within and beyond the Jewish community, including as President of the Central Conference of American Rabbis, Founding Member of the San Francisco Interfaith Council, and as a member of the San Francisco Human Rights Commission.
His love of film was renowned, as was his passion for integrating the lessons of cinema with traditional texts of Judaism. Amongst his many professional accomplishments, he was perhaps most proud of his role in settling many families seeking freedom from the USSR. But Marty also cherished one-to-one pastoral bonds, reflected in his famous "donut walks" with Bnai Mitzvah students. He was a devoted husband, supportive father, and kvelling "Pop-Pop" to six grandchildren. He was an avid fan of the Cal Bears, the Giants, the Forty-Niners, and the Warriors.
Marty is survived by his wife of 63 years, Karen (née Kricsfeld), brothers Stephen Weiner (Norm Dito), Edward (Joni) Weiner, and Dr. Barry (Barbara) Kricsfeld; son Rabbi Daniel (Cynthia) Weiner, and daughters Elizabeth (Josh) Engel, and Ellen (Randy) Stross; and grandchildren Julia and Benjamin Weiner, Jordan and Harrison Engel, Jacob Winick and Alexandra Stross. He left an immense and indelible imprint upon our lives which will endure forever, and a mark in the heavens to which we will always aspire.
A public memorial service will be held at Congregation Sherith Israel in San Francisco at noon on Sunday March 6th.
Contributions in Marty's memory can be made to the Rabbi Martin S. Weiner Education Fund at Congregation Sherith Israel.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Martin Weiner
Sponsored by Sinai Memorial Chapel Chevra Kadisha.
Phyliss Rosenberg-Feliciano
June 17, 2024
I was very sad to learn of Rabbi Weiner's passing. He had a heart of gold and a deep understanding that there were all kinds of Jews out there, including me, a bagels-cream-cheese-and-lox-Jew who was feebly attempting to provide her son with some semblance of a religious education. He welcomed all under the dome at Sherith Israel, and I will always be grateful for that. Wishing Rabbi Weiner's family peace.
Joelle Steefel
February 26, 2023
Because my parents were close friends of Ben and Yetta,
Marty and I were raised together. He often acted like a big brother. He was a smart, gentle soul, wise beyond his years.
David L. Simon
February 2, 2023
Rabbi Marty meant so much to my family. He married us and named our daughter. He help us bury our mother and father. He was more than a Rabbi, he was a friend and we will always love him. His memory is our blessing.
The Silverstein Family
March 23, 2022
We are so very sad to have learned of Rabbi Weiner's passing. He was a part of our family's life during most of our time living in San Francisco, officiating at my bat mitzvah as well as the brit and naming ceremonies for our children. The mark he left on our family's life is so profound. He was the epitome of a mensch and what a good rabbi should be. The world is a little less now. Sending heartfelt condolences to all his family. May his memory be a blessing.
Joelle Steefel
March 12, 2022
This comes as a sad shock...I´ve known Marty since childhood , we shared a birthday and celebrated together when we were young.
May his memory be a blessing.
Isadora and Arthur Dellheim
March 12, 2022
it is difficult to believe that Karen and Martin left Baltimore more than 30 years ago. Yet our friendship remained as though he had never left.
Karen and Martin were our friends in every sense of the word. We shared many experiences and our lives were enriched by them.
May his memory be for a blessing.
Mona Friedman Kolko
March 6, 2022
Marty was my Confirmation class teacher at Beth Sholom in ?1958, when he was a student rabbi. He was the best teacher any class could have! As others have written, his parents and mine were SF friends, immigrants too.
Condolences to the family, in particular to Steve, my age.
The eulogies were magnificent. May his memory be for a blessing.
Roy Gamse
March 6, 2022
Marty was a rabbi at Oheb Shalom Congregation in Baltimore so may years ago. He made such a difference to the Gamse family (Nathaniel, Nance, Alan, Lissy, and Roy). The right rabbi at the right time for all of us. We were so fortunate as a family and a congregation to have that time with him. We remember Marty as if it were yesterday.
Maxine and Bob Lowy
March 5, 2022
Rabbi Weiner has been a part of our family's journey since he walked into Temple Oheb Shalom Baltimore in July 1964. His kindness, wisdom and deep spirit impacted all of us in different ways. Throughout the years, we have maintained a warm and meaningful relationship with him, Karen, Danny and Cindy. We believe that every person whose life was touched by Marty carries his soul within them. May his memory forever be a blessing.
Treya Melvin Weintraub
March 5, 2022
Remembering Rabbi with love and fond memories. His life is a blessing. He will always hold a special place in my heart as I recall years of eduacation, sermons, babysitting, family memories and simcahs. Much love from Treya and Family
Dennis Sullivan
March 5, 2022
Marty and I were fellow Boy Scouts in Troop 93. Our Troop met at Lafayette school. Marty was a standout even then
Denise Benatar
March 5, 2022
It is hard to put into words how important Rabbi Weiner was to our family. He was a close friend and a role model for my father. He married my and husband and me. He Bar Mitzvahed my brother and our oldest son. He was always there for us with his calm, his kindness and his wisdom. I will be forever grateful for his presence in our lives. Sending my thoughts and prayers to Karen and the family. Rabbi Weiner will always be in my heart.
Nick Feinberg + Amy Cho
March 4, 2022
Rabbi Weiner was a blessing to this world. His spirit and kindness will continue to shine on in many of the communities. We will never forget the warmness and thoughtfulness he showed our baby son Allan.
Linda and Eli Frank
March 4, 2022
We are very, very sad to hear about Marty's death. We were honored and privileged to get to know Marty and Karen, thanks to Steve and Norm, albeit "later in life." We enjoyed Seders and other events together, as well as a wonderful trip to the Baltic and Normandy. He was, we know, a scholarly and pastoral rabbi and community and national leader, but to us a thoughtful and delightful friend. His memory will be the blessing his life was, and we hope the family will find comfort in this.
Elisa Magidoff
March 4, 2022
I will never forget your pre-wedding blessing for myself and my husband Oscar Yedra in May 2000.
You were also there at the birth of our son Jacob in 2001, blessing him as he was circumcised in the hospital.
Thank you Marty, your prayers worked.
You are always in our hearts.
Elisa Magidoff
and Oscar Yedra
Drs. Judith and Jacob Mates
March 4, 2022
We are saddened to hear of Marty´s passing. He has been a constant in our lives and in the lives if our family. He was present at all of our kids´ b´nei mitzvahs, some weddings, and numerous brit milahs that Judy performed when she was in practice.
He was a mentor to our daughter, Rabbi Jacqueline Mates-Muchin, who is now the Senior Rabbi at Temple Sinai in Oakland.
He was our rabbi and our friend, and he will always be in our memory.
Donna Chaban (Chaban-Delmas)
March 4, 2022
I grew up with Marty and Ed, as well as classmates at GWHS. Fond memories of a wonderful family, his parents friends of my parents. Proud of Marty when he became Rabbi at Sherith Israel. My condolences to the entire family and to all of our mutual friends.
Kathy Joseph Balistreri
March 4, 2022
I had a close, personal relationship with Marty Weiner, he was my father's best friend and when my dad died, Marty became a surrogate second father to me. He would always be so interested in whatever I was obsessed with and we would go on long walks and coffee trips.
I know that I was one of thousands of people who had their own original and beautiful connections to him.
Marty's kindness and empathy emanated from him and touched everyone.
Carolyn Power Perlstein
March 4, 2022
Marty was such a kind, respectful and loving human being and an amazing rabbi. He bar mitzvahed our three, taking them on the donut walk, all the while encouraging them. One of Marty´s greatest gifts was his ability to listen. I´m so sorry for your loss; may his memory be a blessing.
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Mar
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Memorial service
12:00 p.m.
Congregation Sherith Israel
San Francisco, CA
Funeral services provided by:
Sinai Memorial Chapel Chevra Kadisha1501 Divisadero Street, San Francisco, CA 94115
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