Much gratitude to the kind people who offered to share their experiences of our time together. 

Rabbi Callie Schulman has a rather unique set of skills combined with a sentiment that enables her to interact effectively with a broad array of personalities, religions and cultures. This has been demonstrated repeatedly in her role as the mentor to our Interfaith Friendship Committee at Peninsula Temple Beth El in San Mateo California. As Past Co-Chair of the committee, I had the pleasure of working with Rabbi Callie for the last three years expanding and deepening these relationships. Right from the beginning of her tenor she helped focus our efforts by leading us through a visioning process. The mission, strategy and objectives we created together with her guidance have held us in good stead ever since. She has an unique ability to sense when we are on track and when we aren't; and a pleasant way of telling us. Rabbi Callie dynamically reached out to the clergy in our coalition and beyond to forge friendships, relationships and effective partnerships. She combines strong Jewish identity and knowledge with a true belief in the value of people of all religions. Rabbi Callie appreciates our similarities while understanding our differences. 

​Richard

When I first met with Rabbi Callie, I was at a point of spiritual turmoil. I remember our first meeting well; I had told her my story, of how I converted to Judaism and how I felt pulled in other directions. I didn't think I was going to be able to continue on my path anymore. Callie not only showed me that I was in exactly the right place, but that Judaism had a rich culture and history that already incorporated much of what I was seeking. She set me on a path of empowerment of which I have gained so much, including a teacher and a friend. I am grateful to have been able to meet and learn so much from her. 

Michael

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It was 2014, my soon-to-be husband and I are spiritually homeless...we come from a mixed background. In short...back in 2008 an ex-jehovah's witness from Montana meets a half-Jewish/Catholic German/Irish San Franciscan while they are serving jury duty in LA, their new home. Seven years later, we are engaged and would like someone to marry us who we feel exudes the warmth, love and kindness in life that we believe trumps all creeds and pedigrees. Enter Rabbi Callie... That same year of 2014, my Grandma Ruth passed away. A survivor of Nazi Germany, and a soul mate of mine, the sort that so many grandparents can be. After several years of challenging dementia, she had outlived the rabbis and cantors of my youth. My aunt from Oregon said she knows the exactly perfect person...Callie. Love at first site (the kind between a taken-gay-man and a married-straight-woman of course). Callie had to deal with a pretty complex family. Big personalities. Mixed religions. And years of trying to strike the right balance. She threaded the needle during the funeral with such grace, inspiration and compassion. It was a perfect tribute for my grandma; a lover of her Jewish culture, a believer in getting things done, not exactly reliant on a lot of "God-talk." Family was Grandma's vocation. And so when it came time for our wedding, Josh and I wondered whether it would be possible for Callie to conduct a secular wedding for two gay guys she barely knows in a different town...her instant answer, "I'd be honored!" ... WOW! In a world so seemingly anxious to draw lines and build fences to provide for the illusion of order, Callie finds spirit and soul in God's creation of the incomprehensible. I often reflect on the earliest teaching about God when I was a child...Jewish or Catholic, they said the same. God is beyond understanding. Yet somewhere along the journey from childhood to adulthood, we seem to box the divine right into that of our physical world; writing rules and theological dictates in black and white... We reduce the wonder into the benignly succinct. Maybe it's easier to teach, to hold on to, to visualize. Yet Callie has offered us optimism while staring down the unknowing. She can embrace the complexity and be consumed by wonder instead of fear. We are so lucky to have met such an inclusive soul, a spiritual nurturer. My grandma had a favorite expression, "life is not a dress rehearsal, get out there and live it." Without fear and hesitation, Callie inspires us to be on the frontlines of life with courage, kindness and love.

Kevin

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Rabbi Callie took the time to make sure our wedding service was personal and memorable. Guests and family alike approached us after letting us know how wonderful the ceremony was. We couldn't have hoped for a more beautiful wedding. Not only that she sings like a nightingale! She's so special to us and will always be a part of our family. 

Charlene & Daniel