Family members of Pelican Bay State Prison inmates found early-morning respite at San Rafael’s Congregation Rodef Sholom during the 14-hour trip from Los Angeles.
Rabbi Michael Lezak of Rodef Sholom, a member of T’ruah: The Rabbinic Call for Human Rights, organized the event with local prison reform activist Dolores
Canales as part of the synagogue’s expanding effort to focus on inequity in the criminal justice system.
The 65 family members were given a hot breakfast and invited into the sanctuary to hear a speech from Rabbi Lezak and to sing Oseh Shalom, then were given sack lunches before resuming their Aug. 26 trip to the Crescent City prison.
Rabbi Lezak (left) spoke while Joseph, who was visiting his incarcerated father for the first time in more than three years, held a Torah.