DioCal clergy and spouses at Rabbi Bauer’s installation included (from left to right) Maleah Rios and her spouse, Bishop Austin Rios; Heidi Ho and her spouse, Grace Cathedral Dean Malcolm Young
Story by the Rev. Cn. Debbie Low-Skinner. Photos by the Rev. Cn. Debbie Low-Skinner and Michael Pappas
Several clergy and laity from DioCal gathered at the historic Congregation Emanu-El in San Francisco on Friday, November 15 to witness the installation of Senior Rabbi Ryan Bauer. They were part of a larger San Francisco Interfaith Council (SFIC) contingent led by SFIC Executive Director and Grace Cathedral congregant Michael Pappas.
The DioCal representatives included our bishop, the Rt. Rev. Austin Rios, and spouse Maleah Rios; Grace Cathedral Dean, the Very Rev. Malcolm Clemens Young, and spouse, Heidi Ho; Grace Cathedral Precentor, the Rev. Canon Anna Rossi (a current San Francisco Interfaith Council board member), and spouse, Amie; and the Rev. Cn. Debbie Low-Skinner (retired Canon to the Ordinary and former Vice Chair of the SFIC Board).
Rabbi Lawrence Hoffman delivering the sermon
Rabbi Lawrence Hoffman, Professor Emeritus of Liturgy, Worship, and Ritual at Hebrew Union Seminary in New York City, delivered a well-received, heartfelt, inspirational, and—at times—humorous sermon that included words of wisdom and advice to Rabbi Bauer. Per Wikipedia, Rabbi Hoffman is “known for his liberal religious views … (and) is a prolific author, including two separate books to his name that are used as Jewish liturgical guides.”
At the end of the service, SFIC representatives joined Executive Director Michael. Pappas on the bema of the sanctuary to offer a blessing to Rabbi Bauer. We also wished a very Happy 103rd birthday to SFIC founder Rita Semel, who was sitting in a front pew and is a member of Congregation Emanu-El.
Cover image caption: San Francisco Interfaith Council Executive Director and Grace Cathedral congregant Michael Pappas with Congregation Emanu-El Senior Rabbi Ryan Bauer
