Initially, I shied away from social justice, feeling it was outside my comfort zone. However, I have been spurred to learn and act beyond traditional direct service projects, intensified by national conversations. I found my voice, practiced active listening to understand congregants’ desires, and delved into contemporary issues. Rooting our conversations in texts and concepts, I strive to always put a Jewish lens on discussions. While my rabbinate is rooted in inspiring individuals, my commitment to a more just and holy world encourages me to hold compassion for the congregational community and the entire world.
Advocacy and Organizing
I have served as a CCAR official representative on the URJ’s Commission on Social Action and was a foundational member of the RAC-TX leadership team. I have acquired advanced community organizing strategies by completing the URJ’s “Moving Justice to the Center of Your Congregation Community of Practice”. I directed the development and management of a diverse social justice portfolio that engaged hundreds of community members from age 5 and up. Additionally, I empowered and partnered with my supervisee, the Director of Social Justice, to lead a multi-faceted civic engagement and advocacy campaign that directed lobbying efforts rooted in Jewish values on issues ranging from education and women’s health to voting rights.
I also guided small groups of teens on high-impact advocacy trips to Washington, D.C. and Austin, Texas, empowering them to speak directly with elected officials and successfully secure support for key initiatives. This included a poignant instance when a student’s testimony on their family’s immigration status resulted in a referral for direct assistance from a staffer in another state.
Community Engagement
I leveraged my organizing principles to lead “Conversations and Coffee,” a congregational listening campaign that engaged over 200 congregants. Subsequently, I developed “Head, Heart, Hands” (H3), a sustainable community organizing structure that empowered lay leaders. I have also directed Temple Beth-El’s engagement in the RAC’s Consultation on Conscience, significantly increasing congregational attendance and advocacy.
Ross, our Director of Social Justice and Programming, and I took some of our high school students to the Texas State Capitol to learn how to lobby and advocate for their Jewish values (2025) 
Temple Beth-El members learning about the Family Violence Prevention Center and going on a tour (2024). 
Temple Beth-El’s delegation at the RAC’s L’Taken Seminar (2023). 
At the Feeding SA fundraising dinner where I gave the invocation (2024). 
Temple Beth-El’s delegation at the RAC’s L’Taken Seminar (2023). 
Temple Beth-El at the Pride Parade as the only Jewish organization (2021). 
Sharing with our congregation that now all bathrooms in the building have information to help with domestic violence situations (2022). 
Temple Beth-El received the Union for Reform Judaism’s Belin Award for Audacious Hospitality for our NEFESH program. This program was created under my supervision by our Social Justice Coordinator. This is when we received the award at the 2019 URJ Biennial (2019). 
Ross, our Director of Social Justice and Programming, and I took some of our high school students to the Texas State Capitol to learn how to lobby and advocate for their Jewish values. Pictured here in front of UT-Austin Hillel after Shabbat services (2025) 
At the Planned Parenthood Luncheon (2024). 
Temple Beth-El delegation at the MLK March in San Antonio (2019). 
In a Texas Representative’s office at the RAC’s L’Taken Seminar (2020). 
Temple Beth-El at the Pride Parade as the only Jewish organization (2021). 
Senator Menendez spoke to our congregation about Holocaust Awareness Week in Texas, which he brought the legislation forward in our Texas government (2019). 
Temple Beth-El’s delegation at the RAC’s L’Taken Seminar (2020). 
Temple Beth-El staff at the RAC’s L’Taken Seminar (2020). 
March for Our Lives rally with some of our Temple Beth-El kids (2018). 
Temple Beth-El and community members joined together to combat antisemitism following Charlottesville (2017). 
Ross, our Director of Social Justice and Programming, and I took some of our high school students to the Texas State Capitol to learn how to lobby and advocate for their Jewish values (2022) 
On Christmas day, our congregation delivers full meals to our first responders all around San Antonio. Here I delivered to Schertz EMS where my husband was working at the time. We fed the entire shift (2019). 
Temple Beth-El’s first Pride Parade and the only Jewish organization in the San Antonio Pride Parade (2019). 
Texas delegation at the 2019 RAC’s Consultation on Conscience lobbying at Senator Ted Cruz’s office (2019). 
Ross, our Director of Social Justice and Programming, and I took some of our high school students to the Texas State Capitol to learn how to lobby and advocate for their Jewish values (2022) 
Temple Beth-El at the Pride Parade as the only Jewish organization (2021). 
With my sister-in-law, niece, and children delivering food to the San Antonio Aid Foundation on Christmas Day (2024).
Rabbi Marina Yergin 