"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."
