Testimonials

All communications with Rabbi Miller are held in strictest confidence. Testimonials are published with full permission of their authors. To submit a testimonial, please use the "contact" form.

Conversion - Forever Grateful

"When I began exploring my options for conversion, I searched with much trepidation. Feeling intimidated yet excited at the same time, Rabbi Yitzi instantly made me feel very comfortable & welcome with his warm personality. Working, studying and under his guidance, Rabbi Yitzi inspired me to be the best Jew that I can be. His commitment and dedication to me and my overall experience leaves me forever grateful! Andrea Vasquez"

Andrea Vasquez

Spiritual Weddings - Juxtaposing our Love for Each Other

"We wanted a wedding that incorporated our connection and belief in strong family values and honored our commitment to traditional Judeo-Christian customs--although neither of us is Jewish ourselves! Rabbi Miller provided a thoughtful, historical Jewish ceremony and celebration in juxtaposition to our love for each other. We met with Rabbi Miller every weekend for study for several weeks up until our date, molding and polishing what we all agreed was the right ceremony in meeting our needs. What we received was an authentic expression of all the things we wanted in our wedding: We were successful in being able to bound everyday life (traditions) with holiness (our values). We made a good shidduch-a good match-with our rabbi! Mike Lichty & Carol Bogardus"

Mike Lichty & Carol Bogardus

Interfaith Relationships - As a partner in an interfaith relationship

"Being a partner in an Interfaith relationship, I thoroughly enjoyed Rabbi Yitzi's "New Beginnings" program. This class provided a safe place for me, raised a Catholic, to learn about the faith and culture of my Jewish family. My interests and the interests of many participating in the class with me were sparked by Rabbi Yitzi. Through his guidance, inspiration and teaching, I have started down the path to becoming a Jew. Rabbi Yitzi clearly conveys the obligations of belonging to a community, and to contributing back and working to sustain the Jewish Community. He inspires me to be a better individual, and to work together to improve things for our entire Community. I am thoroughly thankful to have experienced Rabbi Yitzi's energy, intellect, perspective and most of all his guidance and look forward to taking classes with him in the future."

Carson Smith

Grief Counseling - We are very very glad we know him

"We were completely unknown to Rabbi Yitzi when my mother was in a car accident and died. We weren’t from the same town or even from the same area. It was amazing to me how rapidly we got to know him, he got to know us, and he became my strength and my husband’s. He was there at her beside during her period of unconsciousness and saw us through a torturous several weeks. He always found the time to take our calls and always was there for me and for us. His spiritual insight made me understand what being a Jewish daughter means. Rabbi Yitzi’s kindness and caring was truly God-sent. He was with us when she passed and at her grave where he spoke of my mother in the kindest and most beautiful way. The dignity and respect he gave her was beautiful and special and befitting my mother. Today, when my husband and I see or speak of Rabbi Yitzi, we speak of a warm and sensitive friend. We care very much about him, he has a deep place in our hearts, and we are very, very glad we know him. Helene & Andy Hale Los Angeles"

Helene and Andy Hale

Jewish Study - Opening new doors

"Undertaking a course of study with Rabbi Yitzhak Miller opened new doors in my exploration of Judaism and spirituality. Rabbi Yitzi does far more than teach; he brings a passion for lifelong learning and growth that makes him both an educator and a guide. Rabbi Yitzi lives to teach, and he also teaches to live. He understands that questions about Judaism yield even more questions, and he encourages everyone to value their contributions to Jewish learning. Further, he inspires children as readily as adults, engaging them at the appropriate level and entertaining them while educating them. Rabbi Yitzi's joy at being part of Jewish learning at any age is contagious. To study with him is to be nourished spiritually and enriched personally. J.W.--Riverside, CA"

JW--Riverside

Bar & Bat Mitzvah - Bar & Bat Mitzvah prep for life's journey

"Rabbi Miller has the most comprehensive program I have ever seen for student preparing for their Bar /Bat Mitzvah. His students obtain a complete understand of Shabbat service and the meanings of the prayers, as well as the purpose, beauty, and benefits of being Jewish. The preparation does not just focus on the Bar/ Bat Mitzvah ceremony but the elements that will take the student through life's journeys. Jody Yusim, Gilroy CA"

Jody Yusim

Educational Leadership - Educational Vision

"I had the great opportunity of working with Rabbi Miller as both a mother of a student and the education administrator at Congregation Emeth. Rabbi Miller developed a curriculum and educational vision for our congregation that inspires students, parents, and teachers to continue with their education of Torah. As a parent who came from a non Jewish background Rabbi Miller gave me the opportunity to educate to help my son. This education as led many non Jewish parents to further their education. This education led me to become a very active member of the religious programs of my congregation. Jody Yusim, Gilroy CA"

Jody Yusim

Bar & Bat Mitzvah - Lori Rich Bat Mitzvah

"My daughter and I began working with Rabbi Miller 18 months prior to her Bat Mitzvah date. The assignments were given to the child and to the parents but there was always a discussion between us which incorporated all the things we studied. We discussed the facts and gave much thought to our opinions on different lessons and how they applied to our lives. The learning made each of us really evaluate our Judaism and how we wanted her Bat Mitzvah ceremony and reception to be. We were always asked how we could make each aspect of her special day more Jewish and as a result my child found many wonderful things that she could do or that we could do as a family. Rabbi Miller’s program helped us to look deeper into what we wanted to portray on her special occasion and in our daily lives. We both had a strong Jewish identity which was strengthened even more by the experience of working a program that required us to keep digging into who we were as Jews."

Lori Rich

Interfaith Education

"When my congregation recently began to seek a clearer understanding of other religious traditions, I was pleased to be able to call upon Rabbi Miller. Working alongside him on interfaith issues here in Riverside , I already knew him to be a confident interfaith leader and compelling communicator. Through a Sunday morning service and three workshops, Rabbi Miller went well beyond just clarifying Jewish ethics, community and spirituality. Through engaging and fun dialogue, he opened up a connection of understanding and respect which has empowered us to now seek stronger ties to the Jewish community. He has our thanks and gratitude. Reverend Matthew Crary Universalist Unitarian Church of Riverside"

Rev. Matthew Crary

Support

"When my father died, Rabbi Miller gave me kind and understanding support. He appreciated that I did not know very much of Jewish traditions for mourning such as loss. At the same time, he sensed that I was going to be receptive to and helped by some of those wonderful rituals that he introduced with creativity and warmth. He guided me and my immediate family through a process perfectly tailored to us, to what we needed and to what we wanted. Rabbi Miller was a clear and steady teacher who struck a perfect cord of support and guidance. -Michael Heil"

Michael Heil

Community Catalyst

"It has been my pleasure to work closely with Rabbi Miller. His ready availability, his willingness to speak his mind, his commitment to peace and justice, his intelligence, his desire to share his faith and help us to better understand the tenets of Judaism, and most of all his leadership greatly enriched our monthly clergy gatherings in Riverside. Please know I am not alone in my belief that Rabbi Miller is an important catalyst for learning and change within the community. -Miriam Padilla, Director of Religious Education – The Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Community, Redlands CA. -Former Lead Organizer, ICUC, Riverside CA"

Miriam Padilla

An Incredible Asset

"Rabbi Yitzhak Miller is a man of many talents: • He is a gifted teacher; one whom I’ve observed captivating his audience while simultaneously engaging them in the material being presented. Rabbi Yitzi uses life-experience as well as his passion for learning to both inform and inspire. • He has a compassionate heart for those exploring Judaism as their spiritual path. He actively listens to their stories, and encourages them in the preparation of heart, mind, and soul. • Similarly, he has the same Kavanah (intention) for other life-cycle events; i.e., Bris, baby namings, Bar/Bat Mitzvah, marriage, and death. • He recognizes the potential within others, and provides the support necessary to enable them to achieve their individual and collective goals. • He offers a welcoming invitation to all, recognizing the challenges faced by of inter-faith couples, and purposefully welcoming gays and lesbians into the life of the synagogue. • He is actively engaged in community life, and regularly builds bridges among various religious communities while simultaneously representing a strong presence for the Jewish community. Rabbi Yitzhak Miller is an incredible asset to any organization or community where he chooses to proffer his abundant gifts. -Randy Lester Wilson Synagogue Associate Riverside, California"

Randy Lester-Wilson

A great cheerleader

"Since I am not a professional educator, I relied on Rabbi Miller a great deal as a resource for my needs as a religious school teacher. Rabbi Miller provided great guidance in the development of my lesson plans, in my teaching approach, and helping me find quality resources He also helped me maintain a good balance of Torah, spirituality, ethics and culture for my second and third grade class. To top it all off, Rabbi Miller was a great cheerleader for me in the development of my teaching skills. Sharon McHenry"

Sharon McHenry

I personally miss his joyful leadership

"Rabbi Yitzhak Miller was my instructor for many Adult Ed classes while he was at Temple Beth El Riverside. I found the classes not only highly informative on subject matter, but each and every session gave me inspiration affirming my Judaism. Rabbi Miller gave brilliant lectures on Jewish subjects, interacted patiently with class members and continually stressed the importance of the Jewish perspective with regards to other people one interacts with in society. I truly enjoyed his classes as well as interacting with him in all situations of Temple life. I can say without question Rabbi Miller was a wonderful addition to our Temple and I personally miss his joyful leadership he provided to our congregation. Sherry Bockman Riverside, CA"

Sherry Bockman

Bar/Bat Mitzvah - This program made my Bat Mitzvah more meaningful to me

"When I started to work on Rabbi Miller's program two years ago, I have to admit, it was challenging at times. However all of my hard work paid off. Before the program I was not very Mitzvah oriented, but now I see opportunities to do a Mitzvah almost every day and I usually take those opportunities. I learned more about Judaism and the Torah in the time I was working on this program than in all of the years of my life. Not only did I learn about the verses I had to chant at my Bat Mitzvah but I also learned about all of Leviticus, G'milut Chassadim (acts of loving kindness), Tzedakah, Middot, the Holocaust, and how to make my party more Jewish and more of a Mitzvah. This program made my Bat Mitzvah more meaningful to me and helped me realize how glad I am to be Jewish. I know many people who were not lucky enough to experience this program, but I hope that future Bar and Bat Mitzvahs will be. I'm happy that I got to work on Rabbi Miller's program. Shira Rich, Former Student"

Shira Rich

Spiritual growth and healing

"Life is a journey. Having a spiritual guide like Rabbi Miller to help you understand your place in life can be an island in the storm. Rabbi Miller guides the spirit by drawing on the wisdom of Judaism and his own thoughful philosophy. His understanding of human nature and the search for inner peace helps direct your journey and sheds light on how you view yourself. Rabbi Miller's insights are incredibly valuable tools for spiritual growth and healing. Steve Schechtman"

Steve Schechtman

Faithbridging

"Yitz and I were able to pull together some very fun and helpful projects, usually conceptualized out of our regular times meeting with one another. We worked politically in town organizing events that helped Morgan Hill not only have experiences in religious tolerance, but also learning common language of religious understanding within the Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, Muslim, and other faiths. We co-organized a “Walk for Tolerance” in honor of holocaust remembrance day that drew clergy and participants from nearly 20 churches & synagogues. We taught a course together to help couples “stuck” in the decision about their new family’s religious foundation. We even taught a course together on our common love of the great teachers—Rabbi Israel Baal Shem Tov and Jesus. We gave opportunities for our two faith communities to experience religious holidays together. We made music together and taught together. Yitz is great fun to work with, a challenge to my mind, and a good friend. -Pastor Ted Pecot Morgan Hill United Methodist Church"

Ted Pecot

Marriage Counseling - Rabbi Miller Saved Our Marriage

"Bottom Line: Rabbi Miller saved our marriage. When we contacted Rabbi Yitzi, we were separated, but had decided to make "one last ditch effort" to try to work things out, or at least get some help creating an amicable divorce. Through some unbelievable combination of listening, guiding, challenging, and loving that I can't even begin to understand, Rabbi Yitzi helped us explore ways that we had changed over the years, re-create our marriage, and fall in love with each other all over again. We worked hard, but we couldn't have done it without Rabbi Yitzi's magnanimous heart, impeccable skills, and soul-inspired wisdom. It's like I'm in a new marriage, but it's with the same person! --Luke Jackson, Denver CO"

Luke Jackson

Counseling - Heart, Compassion, & Intuition

"In the time that I have been acquainted with Yitzhak Miller sitting with him weekly in my men's circle, I have seen his heart, his ability to listen, his compassion for others and his intuitive nature. He is a man who I feel safe enough with to delve into my own inner world and feel held by. He has an ability to facilitate and ask pertinent and pointed questions without being intrusive or threatening. I highly recommend this man for any singles or people in relationships who need someone to guide them through the rocky terrain of self awareness and soul-searching. He inspires and supports others to connect on a deeper level and to work through relationship issues. If you are looking for someone who will be there for you when you most need him, Yitzhak Miller is the man to contact."

Paul Henri Corvallo

Conversion & Counseling - At a pace that was right for me

"The entire experience with Rabbi Yitzi has been wonderful. When life interrupted my studies, he was quick to remind me that we move at the pace that is right for me, and that he would be waiting when I was ready to continue. When things were weighing me down emotionally, he was there to help support my mental well-being. Although I am not finished with my conversion process yet, it has been an enriching and wonderful experience thus far. With Rabbi Yitzi's help, I am developing a Jewish identity that I am proud of and learning about a culture and spirituality that my soul has always belonged to. He takes into consideration where you already are, in life, emotions, and faith and helps direct where to go from there. Rabbi Yitzi also eased my anxiety regarding support after the conversion process is completed. Continuing education and support is available, and comforting. I know I won't be all alone after this process is over; no matter where I am, I will still be able to get the support and guidance I need to be the best Jew I can be. I am so thankful to have found Rabbi Yitzi. I cannot imagine going through this experience with anyone else! Thank you, Rabbi Yitzi!"

Crystal Knight-Hines

Counseling - Gifted & Intuitive

"Rabbi Yitzi is an amazingly gifted and intuitive counselor. He's able to discern the heart of a matter. I don't know how he does it, but I believe I've made more progress in areas of personal growth with him in nine months than I did in several years with a prior counselor."

Yvonne Lee