MARTA

Marta Rosenberg became vegan when she was seventeen, as a preamble before coming out as gay to her parents. The fact that her parents were unfazed shouldn’t surprise her (after all, they met in Selma when they both marched in support of Martin Luther King, Jr.) .

They were more shocked when she decided to move from Brooklyn to Los Angeles and open a rescue ranch with several other women, citing her “sketchy track record of taking care of animals,” but nonetheless gave her their blessing (and a sizeable loan; after all, in her words, she was raised a “JAP, Jewish American Princess.”). They gave her a blessing years later when she became a rabbi, and when she married her wife.

Marta mentored Wade in his early journey opening Life Sanctuary Ranch. They formed a deep bond.

October 7, 2023 happened and antisemitism rose worldwide. Beth Chai Or, the reform synagogue where she’s a co-rabbi, received more death threats than usual. Marta asked Wade if he’d volunteer as a security guard for the temple, and Wade didn’t have to think twice.

Even if Marta never nudges Wade, who’s a non-observant Jew, to be closer to his faith, she plays a significant role in his life, especially after the crisis with Chrissy.