ORIGINAL QUOTES

Matt Shapiro

mshapiro@tbala.org

“It was a delight having Rabbi Brian join us at Temple Beth Am. He brought the ‘good news’ of how our tradition offers opportunities for reflection, growth, and connection, weaving his personal narrative with rich, innovative readings of Judaism’s core tenets. Plus, he’s a total mensch.”

— Brienne Cornish

He spoke like a man discovering his own sermon as he went, theology not a creed to recite but an adventure unfolding in real time—no guile, no pretense, just the sheer delight of thinking out loud. By the end, you couldn’t tell if he had preached or merely existed so transparently that the gospel had no choice but to preach itself. 

Jeannine Bramwell 

I found Rabbi Brian to be an exciting presence, alert and sensitive to everything and everyone around him.  He was able to flow with the group and, at the same time, use a tiny gesture or quiet word to change another person’s world.  Amazing. – 

Rabbi Scott Hausman-Weiss Houston, TX Congregation Shma Kolenu

Rabbi Brian brings a message that we should embrace spirituality and get naked with the God of our understanding. He brings magic, humor, great lessons, and sweet tidings for the heart and soul. I learned so much from his work. He is such a huge treat, truly admirable and inspiring. I am changed. He has done something to me that will remain deeply lodged in my heart.

Rabbi Jonathan Bubis

Rabbi Brian makes it comfortable, even nourishing to talk about a subject that most don’t dare to breach. People with ambiguous notions of – or even adverse associations with – God leave the room feeling inspired to reopen the possibility to bring the divine into their lives. Rabbi Brian uses scholarly research to put our own inchoate conceptions of God into a theological framework, then implements his enchanting presence, heartfelt stories, and engaging activities to push us to investigate our beliefs further. I would recommend his God talk for atheists and veteran believers alike.

“We brought Rabbi Brian Zachary Mayer to teach our Jewish 101 students — and he had them from the minute he began. Informal, thoughtful, and sincere, R. Mayer brought a new level of comfort and a spirit of experimentation and hope to what can too often become a fraught topic: God. I will neither eat an apple nor think about God the same. If you have God-wrestlers, people who are afraid to broach the subject, and / or people who are brand new to the idea of a serious relationship with anything divine, R. Mayer is the Rabbi / “Doctor” you need. 

Lise

Of all the pages and events I have followed over the year yours is the one that has persisted because you care, because you are relevant and I also love you and want to support you. I thank you from the bottom of my heart and the infinity of my soul. Blessings.

Gretta Vosper

Thanks for sharing who you are and sheltering the beautiful so well that when you offer it, we feel it changing us.

Wendy R.

I appreciate you and thank you. You give me much to hold in my thoughts and spirit. You challenge me, soothe me and help me to ponder and believe. My friend Cheryl and I frequently ask ourselves, and each other, WWRBS (What Would Rabbi Brian Say) when dealing with challenging situations and people. It brings your wisdom and perspective into our hearts.

Rabbi Richard Steinberg • Congregation Shir Ha-Ma’a lot • Irvine, CA

Rabbi Brian is an engaging, brilliant and funny speaker. He understands how to share his ideas with audiences from teens to seniors with entertaining and yet thought provoking spiritual insights. Rabbi Brian lifts the spirit and enters his student’s minds and hearts. He educationally, theologically and meaningfully nourished my congregation.

 Rev. Sarah Schurr • West Hills Unitarian Universalist Fellowship • Portland, OR

“Rabbi Brian was just the guest speaker my congregation needed to hear! He has an engaging style that made complex ideas, like stages of faith, fun to explore. He really embodies the best of ‘rabbi as teacher.’ Most of all, he was able to help people mess around with notions of God, from the ridiculous to the transcendent. Now that he has broken open the GOD-BOX, my job of helping people explore what God can mean to them is so much easier.”

Rabbi Noa Kushner • The Kitchen • San Francisco, CA 

“We brought Rabbi Brian Zachary Mayer to teach our Jewish 101 students — and he had them from the minute he began. Informal, thoughtful, and sincere, R. Mayer brought a new level of comfort and a spirit of experimentation and hope to what can too often become a fraught topic: God. I will neither eat an apple nor think about God the same. If you have God-wrestlers, people who are afraid to broach the subject, and / or people who are brand new to the idea of a serious relationship with anything divine, R. Mayer is the Rabbi / “Doctor” you need. 

Linden

Thank you, as always, from the bottom of my heart. You are a fabulous teacher of life, and a great role-model of love. Both self-love and love-of-others.

Rabbi Daniel Utley

His seminar makes the topics of God into a jungle gym rather than a china shop. Brilliant.

Dr. Josh Samuels
McGovern Medical School at UTHealth

Phenomenal. Rabbi Brian entertained and taught medical students and staff to think about spiritual issues that we never had considered. I, for one, had never contemplated that my spiritual practice was so easy to practice. He actively engaged us in a texting others gratitude exercise and I can tell you that all of us were thankful.

Charles Flores

I love that you share everything with us including how you really feel…Growing up, all the rabbis I encountered were ” holier than thou ” types, children are to be seen and not heard. Very very old school… Some days horse feathers just doesn’t do it and we all want to say f*** this or it SUCKS!!!!! I am so glad your best friend is doing so much better.. I would have wanted to push that woman down the stairs myself.  Anyway thanks for this wisdom biscuit.

Nancy H. 

Knowing my Rabbi had the impulse to push someone down the stairs, and that he feels comfortable using this experience as a learning and teaching point, brings me great comfort. I feel more in touch with both my humanity and my spirituality because of this sharing, Rabbi Brian. This story resonates for me, percolates through my head often, and brings me comfort. I’m sorry you had this experience. I’m thankful you share it.

Daniel Milner

You have an amazing gift of presenting spiritual challenges in a way that I believe it is possible for me to do it… I sat with each lesson for several days to focus on my annoyances…to say “no thank you”…to begin to recognize discernment/ judgment. I’m not close to 21 days without a complaint but I’m working on it. And I’ve asked a friend to be my accountabilabuddy.

Sarah M – Campus Minister DLSNC

Recently, I invited Rabbi Brian on a Catholic High School retreat with 75 sixteen-year-olds who were encountering God through small groups, testimony, scripture, and community. I was in need of an adult to share a personal experience of salvation to these young people form various backgrounds. Because of Rabbi’s inclusivity, kindness, devotion, faith, and wisdom, I did not even hesitate asking him to talk to these juniors at a pivotal point of their weekend retreat. Rabbi’s talk was pure, humble, and elegant; he spoke to the students about his faith in God, connecting their backgrounds, personal experiences, and this shared experience together giving them insight into their personal faith in their God. Because of Rabbi’s willingness and love, boundaries were shared and God was felt. I was (and am) so grateful for being in the presence of that community at that moment.

 Victoria K – Homemaker – Fort Worth

I am an Evangelical, Pentecostal, born-again Christian. I am pretty particular about what I listen to/ingest. I have been reading Rabbi Brian’s writings for years and have found that not only do they often line up with what I believe, they have opened me up to a lot more truth that I would never have considered or been exposed to otherwise. I believe that his teachings are for everyone, from the Jew to the Buddhist, Atheist or Christian- they are about how to be better to the world around you. I consider that extremely universal, and as he puts it, the God (of your understanding) is in full support of that, and those who promote it.

Andrew C.

I saw myself as an atheist, and always felt like a round peg that didn’t fit in the square hole of the organized religions in my city… Rabbi Brian’s messages always mean something to me as they not only apply to my spiritual life, where I’m learning to redefine how I see “God”, but they also hold a great deal of value personally and professionally. They serve a reminder and food for thought to slow down, take time, and to integrate spirituality into my day to day life. I’m not only a proud I saw myself as an atheist, and always felt like a round peg that didn’t fit in the square hole of the organized religions in my city… Rabbi Brian’s messages always mean something to me as they not only apply to my spiritual life, where I’m learning to redefine how I see “God”, but they also hold a great deal of value personally and professionally. They serve a reminder and food for thought to slow down, take time, and to integrate spirituality into my day to day life. I’m not only a proud reader or ROTB but also a supporter.

Sensei Nagy B. – Buddhist Monk – Los Angeles, CA

Rabbi Brian is your spiritual butler. He will help you empty your God-bag and dispose of the bits you no longer need. Like any good butler, he will also put things in order by repacking your bag with the items that will help you in your relationship with God. People who have used his service will tell you “Don’t lag in dealing with your bag.” The goal of the items in your bag is to use them till they are gone and you won’t have a bag to carry anymore.

Kelly I. – Wedding Dress Consultant – Braselton, Georgia

Rabbi Brian is all about God. He understands that God doesn’t care if you’re “Jewish” or “Christian.” What God cares about is that you have a personal relationship with Him. Rabbi Brian is all about helping others grow in that relationship. He’s the real deal!

Hon. Alice S. – Manhattan Supreme Court – New York, NY

Rabbi Brian’s comments make me smile and think. Most of all I appreciate them because they push me simultaneously to appreciate my life and myself more but, as to the latter, to take it far less seriously.

Amy D. – writer – Los Angeles, CA

Rabbi Brian’s deals in common sense and helps us all with the tools needed to deal with life’s challenges — all with a lack of preachiness and judgment. I’m not interested in dogma and its refreshing to see wisdom that isn’t labeled one religion or another.

Dr. Richard F. – Pierce College, CA – Tenured Professor

Rabbi Brian demonstrates a zest for life–a full, rich, abundant, and guilt-free life. He doesn’t just talk about his faith; he lives it. Through his classes, he gently and happily challenges others to find (the) God (of their understanding) within and around them, and, in so doing, he allows us to discover the joys of God ourselves. He moves us beyond intellectual confusions to integrated experiences of God.

I think we are trained as professionals, so we have an understanding of what our “jobs” are. But we aren’t trained in religion, and some belief systems are inherently vague and shrouded in mystery. So religion is confusing. I think Rabbi Brian does two things; one, he acknowledges this and affirms that confusion is okay. And he pokes fun at it, and his humor is a great way of getting a better understanding of the confusion.

 

Daniel M.

Why is falling in love better than reading a book about falling in love? My first in-person experience with Rabbi Brian was quite magical; he had us putting nuts (the hardware kind, not the edible kind) on a piece of string as a form of a lesson. His manner and spirit is calming, and he’s really funny. I don’t think the nuances of these important things come across as well in articles.

Suzi D. – Producer – Los Angeles

Rabbi Brian looks everywhere for ways to enrich our lives, expand our consciousness and cherish our family, friends, neighbors and the planet. He speaks of the God of Our Understanding, and what I believe he means by that is purely Our Understanding…of ourselves and the world around us. Thank you, Rabbi, for enlightening and educating me in a way that is clear, specific, and completely comfortable.

Bill Z., Roman Catholic Priest – Portland, OR

I have been intentionally involved in the work of spiritual growth and development for over 40 years. I have read countless books and articles and blogs and reflections. They are for the most part helpful and create energy and growth in the life of the spirit. However they are not a substitute for, nor as valuable as personal one on one conversation about the things of the spirit. I believe that the spirit is alive in the dynamic of a dialogue about God, grace, love and service. The honest transparent open conversation between two people who are authentic seekers of grace and long to live a deeply graceful life in service of others is the crucible where Spirit is unleashed and hope and love abound. It is the seedbed of transformational experience. I love reading the Monday articles of ROTB, they are provocative and inspiring and a place of grace in my week. I thank God that I live next to Rabbi Brian and can take the experience of the reading ten steps further and deeper by our own interchange. If it be by email, texting or my favorite, face to face, the dynamic of a conversation with Rabbi Brian is an occasion of grace not to be missed.

About Learn-a-thon

Jared Stuart

I went into it with no expectations, just open to anything. Found that for Rabbi Brian, wisdom doesn’t only come from traditional Rabbinic sources, and although I felt some disappointment because of that, I still got a lot of good food from his broader studies. Heck, I’m so trained and ingrained now from Chabad that some of Rabbi Brian’s teaching seemed heretical even!!! Lol it was good to shake me up and wake me up to the wisdom of the world, if you know what I mean, it’s not all about Rabbis to this Rabbi Brian. I found him to be engaging, interesting, and he made me laugh. It is good to take in some wisdom bits from the ancient to modern sources that you don’t find on Chabad.org  Yes, I had to admit I learned from diverse sources, but since I went in with no prejudice I was able to soak up the brief lessons. It left me wanting more! Hope he does it again soon.

Maureen Bailey

Rabbi, My gift was in the learning. I always thought I was grateful or knew about gratitude but obviously I was mistaken. The complaining mixed with it opened my eyes. Thought I complained in silence or to myself, but wrong again. Thank you for opening my eyes. I am truly grateful for things in my life but will certainly watch the complaining. Even to myself. Hasn’t helped me at all. Thanks for everything. Mo

Alex Taylor

I love, love, loved the Learn-A-Thon from an educational perspective.  Had I not had to go to my friend’s grandson’s graduation party, I probably would have stayed for the entire event.  It was really, really cool. Like you said, I think 15 minutes per topic might be a little short on some things.  On the other hand, it did make each topic really digestible.  I hope you recorded all of your talks and plan to post them somewhere.  I wanted Scott and my friend Bob to see your talk on religion and Judaism.  I think the topic of sin would be especially interesting to Bob, since he was raised Catholic. The only thing I didn’t like as much was the idea of going to ask people for pledges.  I found it really difficult.  I was going to list all the reasons, but then decided against it because I don’t want to be overly critical of your approach Just because something doesn’t work well for me doesn’t mean it doesn’t work well for everybody.  For me, asking for pledges from other people was more than I could do.  I will be sending you a donation, just as soon as my paycheck arrives. Again, not complaining, just fact — I feel like I’ve been incredibly overwhelmed with all that’s going on in my life.  I felt like the couple of hours I spent in your Learn-A-Thon was a lot like sitting on a tropical island where I could sip pina coladas margaritas (I like those better) and forget about all my problems for a while. So, good job on the Learn-A-Thon, and I hope that you do more stuff like it. It was really cool. And of course seeing your smiling face and getting to hang out with you (even if it’s just virtually) is always fun.</p>

Shary Stephen  

My non processed reflections. This is what u want, I hope….. I needed a better cushioned chair! You obviously are non union as u took no recess or lunch breaks! I didn’t see u sipping coffee or Red Bull so your energy must have come from within, which I already know. U always looked animated and engaged ; the odd glitch didn’t really faze or derail you either. I found so much obvious but forgotten info…it all seems to mesh to make a happier more grounded human being.  Since life isn’t a dress rehearsal, why not have the best run and use these tools. While some may be obvious, not all have been to me: the question can be more impt than the answer.  If u want to be a kind person, then do kind things….there’s an obvious hidden truth. Not everyone I meet or have to interact with has a great set of life tools; these ones help me cope with this fact without alienating them: thinking of the rules for being angry at someone. I would love to have had these skills when I was a young parent to teach my kids. But now I can tell my kids and grandkids and have a discussion, so it’s all good. My age group is meeting change all the time. It’s like Who Moved the Cheese story : change is inevitable so prepare. The change graph helps do that and is quite motivating. Chosen change is usually the best kind. The idea one can ‘be in the moment’ for surprises is a different idea for me: foreign actually. A huge difference between my professional training and my spouse’s modus operandus.  He probably enjoys life more!  I’m thinking a lot about this. (Lack of preparedness almost equals irresponsibility , to me, but I’m thinking about it…). (But I’m also not a US President going into a crucial meeting allegedly unprepared.) (But I shouldn’t bring politics in.) Sin is a different concept for me. Ur philosophy made sense to me but it’s not smtg I hear much about tho that old song. ? Heaven’s just a sin away….ohhhh just a sin away,…” cane to my mind.  I didn’t write many notes. The entire event was so great. The time flew despite my thinking I should be hungry.  It was uplifting. Motivating and just sooo good. I appreciate my husbands spontaneity &amp; flexibility more; a paradigm shift happened.  I guess I need to hear stuff like this more often! Five minutes are long up. Since I’m a little confused Re prizes, Here are my choices, in order. * The PDF * The Wisdom Module ~ all but Freedom * The Wisdom Course ~ both topics *  7 Favourite Prayers I have no idea how you add up numbers or credits , so just stop when I reach whatever the number is. Surprise me!  (See, I’m learning quickly!) Thank-YOU!  The 8 sessions made a difference in my life ; this one has made a much bigger one.  Lucky me!  Thanks for ur high level of organization  to make this possible. Well done, rabbi Brian!   I hope you felt good about it. I can’t imagine all the hours of prep behind the scenes. One final thot: it was like that cave man and shadows and fire and seeing outside the cave: one is changed. Merci beaucoup. Gracias mucho.

Bonnie Crane

Hi rB, I enjoyed the format with the 15 minute sessions very much. I thought you did an excellent job of presenting the material in a way we could all understand and loved all the examples. I found out how much I really don’t know which isn’t a bad thing; I just have a lot of learning to do. Michael and Mr. Hayes both walked past the camera a couple of times during the learn-a-thon. Michael was in the living room semi- listening. He is shy like me. We don’t always like to be on camera.. Thank you again. I know it was a long day for you because I was tired and didn’t spend any where near the time that you did.