RABBI YITZHAK J. MILLER
Rabbinic Resume
Personal Goals: To draw upon my love for Judaism, caring personality, strong leadership skills, training and knowledge to inspire Jews and non-Jews to make our world a holier place.
Education:
Hebrew Union College: MAHL 2001, Rabbinic Ordination 2003
Institute for Jewish Spirituality: Spirituality Leadership Training Program for Rabbis 2005-2006
Chaplaincy Training: Stanford University Hospital (2008-2009) and UCLA Medical Center (2002)
Stanford University: BS in Technology Management, 1994
Jewish Leadership Experience:
Resident Chaplain: Stanford University Medical Center: 2008 to present
Rabbi & Director of Education: Riverside Temple Beth El, Riverside CA: 2006-2008
Rabbi & Director of Education: Congregation Emeth, Gilroy CA; 2000-2005
Assistant Rabbi: Congregation Shir Hadash, Los Gatos CA; 2002-2004
Student Rabbi: Yuba City CA, 1999-2000; Lancaster CA, 1999-2000; Aptos CA, 1999
Noteworthy Accomplishments in These Positions
q Substantial influx of new members at both congregations where I was Senior Rabbi
q 3-time Belin Outreach Award winner (National URJ award for outstanding program)
q US House of Representatives Award for outstanding service to the Silicon Valley community
q Redesigned congregational education systems including system structure & curriculum (Gilroy & Riverside)
q Developed full-spectrum adult education systems successfully serving the needs of the most advanced and the most basic congregational learners, and drawing greatly increased participation
q Led community Jewish study tours to Central Europe and to Egypt, Jordan, & Israel
q Led congregation vision, goal-setting, & strategic plan development at 2 congregations
q Designed 18-month Family-oriented B’nei Mitzvah program substantially deepening the experience
q Developed and guided congregant-to-congregant mentoring program building community
q Authored Saturday Morning Siddur and premiered “Rockin’ Shabbos services
Other Jewish Experience:
Synagogue program director, on-site director for Urban Mitzvah Corps teen summer program, youth group advisor, adult education teacher, religious school teacher (including teacher of the year 1999-2000), chaplaincy & counseling training and experience with JFS and UCLA medical center
Non-Jewish Leadership Experience:
Program Manager & Customer Interface: Aura Systems, Inc. El Segundo CA 1996-98
Asia/Pacific Customer Interface: GM Hughes Delco Electronics, Torrance CA 1994-96
Program Manager & Marketing Director: Stanford Hybrid Vehicle Project, Stanford 1991-94
International Experience:
Israel: Lived & Studied in Israel 1998-90
Asia/Pacific: Lived in Japan, 1991; worked in Japan, Korea, Thailand, Malaysia & Singapore 1994-98
Honest and Frank Personal Assessment: Vibrant, enthusiastic, charismatic, and dedicated leader who works well on small teams with others who are pursuing similar goals. Excellent, caring 1-on-1 skills. Driven to succeed when I am part of the overall process, but some difficulty achieving goals when not privy to the big picture. Strong presence in situation, which engenders confidence in others but also means I must continuously work to ensure everyone feels included. Does not work well under highly controlling or micro-managing supervisors. Business and marketing background has proved a substantial benefit to congregations who have taken advantage of it. Exceptionally perceptive when focused, but may miss cues and comments when focused on something else. Expects an open and honest relationship with anyone I’m working with. Highly receptive to feedback and criticism, but sometimes has a tendency for overly-sensitive initial reaction. Always kind-hearted. Likes to feel in control but works well on teams with other dedicated people. Deep loyalty to any organization I am a part of. Strong presence in the broader community—city government & interfaith. Highly musical.
Biography & Philosophy
Yitzhak Miller (who prefers Yitz or Yitzi) has, since 1994, been happily married to Shoshana, who sets an exceptional example everyday of how to be a truly good person in this world. In 2004, Yitzi & Shoshi welcomed Jacob Mordechai Miller into the world whose purpose in life is apparently to bring smiles to everyone around him.
Holding a degree from Stanford University, Yitzi altered his path in 1998 from a promising career in the international business world in a quest to best use the brief life he has been granted on this earth. With the goal of reaching for the sacred, creating bonds among the Jewish people, and serving God and humanity as a whole, Yitzi brings a number of years of experience with various cultures in India and Southeast Asia to his Rabbinate, with an understanding of what is truly important in life, and what commonalities bring people together.
Raised in Palo Alto and Santa Cruz, Yitzi learned from his university-professor parents a commitment to education. Through his work with the Institute for Jewish Spirituality, Yitzi has learned to integrate the intellectual, emotional, and spiritual aspects of Jewish tradition. But perhaps more importantly, raised in a warm and welcoming Jewish congregation, and by extremely loving parents and relatives, Yitzi learned the critical nature of close, caring family and community. It is this love for family and community that lies at the heart of everything Yitzi does in his Rabbinate. Described by his Stanford Ethics professor as possessing “unbelievable intellectual prowess” and by a former Rabbinic supervisor as “a great big teddy bear”, Yitzi works hard to integrate both of these disparate elements into a unified and positive whole.
Descended from the Baal Shem Tov (the 18th-century founder of Chassidism) Yitzi carries forward the philosophy that it is the quality of a person’s spiritual intention which ultimately evokes God’s passionate response. In addition, Yitzi carries forward the tradition of reaching one's spiritual center through joyful music and prayer which characterized the founding of the Chassidic movement, recognizing that the serious study of Torah and its values must be fueled by the inner fire of holiness which dwells deep within our soul. It is this unique blend of the intellectual and the spiritual which Yitzi continually pursues as an example of the quest for wholeness and unity of the soul.
As a Jewish leader, Yitzi Miller fundamentally believes in the authority of each individual Jew to find their own Jewish path. However, Yitzi recognizes that this authority is intimately linked with the responsibility to take this obligation seriously, and is committed to helping create a Jewish environment which connects with the many facets of the individual and communal Jewish soul. Based on these fundamental values, Yitzi has chosen to pursue his Jewish path as a member of the Reform Jewish movement. But that choice is integrated into Yitzi's commitment to diversity in Judaism and passionate interfaith work in every community where he has served. Yitzi feels that each person and each movement in Judaism brings something special to the Jewish people, and that without any one piece, the Jewish people would not be whole.
Similarly, Yitzi has been deeply involved with the interfaith community in every location he has served from the belief that there are “numerous paths up the same mountain” and that the interfaith community—working together—can build strong bridges and make substantial differences in their community and world. In addition, Yitzi has developed strong relationships with governmental entities in both cities where he has served as Senior Rabbi, being asked by the Mayor of Riverside to chair or co-chair numerous enterprises enhancing the city’s cultural development and the bonds between government and faith-groups.
Ultimately, Yitzi's fundamental commitment is to help each person who walks through the doors of his office, (and even some who don't) discover how Judaism can help them find a purposeful, and therefore fulfilling path through life.
