06/03/2026
It is with great sadness that we share with you the passing of Rabbi Stuart Kelman who lived and worked in the Bay Area. As CAJE enters its 50th year, it is important to note that Stu was one of a very small group of CAJE founders. CAJE conferences began on the East Coast but after two years, the East Coast group needed a break. The West Coast Mazkirut was founded. Stu chaired the first Western Conference in Irvine, California in 1978 and again in 1980, making CAJE a national organization. He then served as chairperson of the organization from 1983-1986. He presented at almost all of the 34 CAJE conferences on a variety of topics—from a nine-hour module on Confluent Education to a fun class on Hebrew Calligraphy. He was very close to Debbie Friedman—they taught together most often about prayer and worship, psalms and music. He officiated at her funeral. He partnered with Joel Grishaver creating books and materials for Torah Aura. He devoted his life to Jewish education as a Bureau Director, a professor of Jewish education, the principal of a day school, Director of Youth on the West Coast for the Conservative Movement, the director of Camp Ramah in Ojai. In 1988, he founded a congregation in the East Bay called Netivot Shalom. He served as their founding rabbi until his retirement in 2007.
I am just touching the surface of a life well-lived. Married to Vicki and father to 4 children and grandfather to ten, Stuart was thoughtful and kind and a friend to so many. I understand that last Shabbat, he was in Shul kvelling over his grandson who gave the D’var Torah. He was a caring rabbi, a thoughtful and creative educator and gave so much of himself to make CAJE a success. Above all else he was a loving husband, father and grandfather. Our hearts go out to Vicki and their family.
One of the people Stuart met through CAJE was David Zinner—a man who came to CAJE each year to teach about Death and Dying and the importance of the rituals around death. Stuart became captivated and urged his own congregation to form a Chevra Kadisha. After his retirement, Stu joined with David and became the President of Kavod V’Nichum-a national organization that focuses on teaching all Jews how to create a Chevra Kadisha—a sacred community that cares for the deceased and comforts the living though Jewish rituals and traditions. He taught widely on this subject and was part of the Gamliel Institution that trained people how to sit with the dead and prepare them for burial. This is said to be the greatest Mitzvah because the person you are doing it for can never thank you. Stuart also was the founder of the Gan Yarok in Mill Valley offering “green” burials in a Jewish cemetery.
As you read this, his community has gathered to sit with his body and prepare him for burial the way he taught them to do. He will be buried in the cemetery he created and so many will accompany his Neshama to his final resting place out of love and respect. He taught people that they should be prepared to leave this world ready to enter the next. We pray that his soul will have a great Aliyah because his students and colleagues, friends and family continue the Mitzvah of caring for the dead and his example of living in the kind and humble ways he taught us.
The Funeral will be held on Thursday June 4th at 11am Pacific time. The service will be available on Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88376235322.
Tzedakah
Donations in memory of Rabbi Kelman may be made to Congregation Netivot Shalom, Camp Ramah in Ojai, Edah, and JADE (Jewish Association for Death Education).
Share your memories
We all have so many special memories of Rabbi Kelman and reflections on his impact on our lives. Please feel free to share your memories here with the community and the Kelman family.
