Meet the RabBi

The unique journey of Rabbi Ron Koas

A fresh breeze has blown in from the east, bringing us the energetic Rabbi Koas. We’re excited to welcome him, some by joining him for long hikes, others by attending his lively, interactive Torah study class before services on Shabbat morning.

His meandering life path took him from his native Israel, where he had studied theater, to the US, where he realized that his future lay in education, to Australia for three years of shlichut (being an emissary), back to the US, and finally to rabbinical school. There’s a continuity to it all. He sees education as part of the job of a pulpit rabbi, and that’s where he has his very own audience.

No part of the journey surprises Rabbi Koas. His parents are from Iraq, known in ancient times as Babylon, where Judaism originated and where the Talmud was written, so he feels he has a direct link to the people who set us on our Jewish path. And now? “My obligation and responsibility is to fit all this into the 21st century.” And then there was his mother’s dream. Years ago, she had a dream that her son would one day become a rabbi.

“I’m not your typical Conservative rabbi,” continues Rabbi Koas. “I’m an open-minded, forward-thinking rabbi who serves a Conservative synagogue. I want Judaism to be dynamic and interesting to the Jews of today.”

His parents came to Israel as children, and he grew up in a very Israeli, secular home. He speaks Hebrew, English, and Spanish, knows so-so Arabic, and even understands a bissel Yiddish.

Rabbi Koas finds it easiest to sense God in nature. “Nature is the sanctuary of God. Can’t you feel the presence of God here, and sense that the world is more than just us?” No wonder he’s most drawn to hiking and water sports.

From visiting the sick, which he’s already begun to do here, to including mental health in our prayers for healing, our rabbi believes in the power of prayer, when we’re alone and especially when we come together as a community.

What does he like about California? “The people are friendly and down-to-earth. The weather and topography are wonderful and familiar. The hiking trails remind me of the Golan Heights without missiles and shelters.”

One of Rabbi Koas’ favorite Jewish teachings is from Pirkei Avot: “It is not incumbent upon you to finish the work, nor are you free to avoid it altogether.”

What is the accomplishment he is most proud of? “My kids. They’re good citizens. They’re mentches. That’s what God wants—good people in the world.”

Our new rabbi’s philosophy: Do you have doubts? Do you question what you’ve learned? Good! You’re an integral part of the Jewish people. Going back to the Talmud and all the way to Abraham, we’ve been a people that argues and questions. God wants you to be a mentch and to love others.

Rabbi Koas has many fresh ideas he’s eager to implement at Beth Ami. (Torah on the Trail… Torah on Tap…) What’s he waiting for? YOU! We’ll let you know about new programs and events and it’ll be up to you to show up in order to make them successful.

Until next time… a thought to take with us…
“Ask yourself when you wake up: What can I do to make the world a better place? How can I become better? And at the end of the day, ask: Did I accomplish what I set out to? Was today better than yesterday?”

— by Esther Baruch