Rabbi Francine brings an understanding of the complexities of synagogue life and management in these tumultuous times for the Jewish People.

She served New Jersey Conservative congregations for the first 16 years of her rabbinate. She was an assistant rabbi in a large suburban congregation that had challenges meeting the evolving needs of the congregation. She brought some experimental services and learning opportunities to the congregation.  In her second congregation, Rabbi Francine helped a small aging congregation modernize. She helped to attract new members, especially people who grew up at the congregation but had left because they felt unwelcome. Rabbi Francine was one of the leaders of the Conservative movement helping to expand inclusion and ways of welcoming intermarried families into the congregation. In six years the congregation grew by 50%. Rabbi Francine led the creation of an innovative Hebrew school program that engaged kids and their families and she was active in interfaith community-building and volunteering at the Ground Zero volunteer support center in St Paul's Cathedral.

In 2005, Rabbi Francine was hired by Congregation Beth El of South Orange, New Jersey. With this position she broke the stained-glass ceiling, becoming the first Conservative woman rabbi to lead a Conservative congregation larger than 500 households. Rabbi Francine followed a rabbi who was with the congregation for 37 years and she helped to modernize the congregation and connect them with social justice organizations, promote gay marriage in NJ, and innovative Shabbat and educational initiatives including Friday Night Live, Synaplex Shabbat, the JTS Mitzvah Initiative, and a year-long "linking the silos" to coordinate and create the synagogue's learning opportunities. Under her leadership the congregation created a Chevra Kadisha, "Sacred Society", dedicated to caring for the dead and comforting the mourners of the community.

And, in 2014, the Roston family moved from New Jersey to Montana to live a life focused on being outdoors, physical and mental health, and nurturing their children and their marriage.  In 2015, Rabbi Francine founded the Glacier Jewish Community/B'nai Shalom and expanded the reach of the congregation from 50 to at least 250 households across northwest Montana. The GJC is composed of a majority of full-time residents and a minority of part-time residents who are present most in the summer months. Rabbi Francine understands the unique needs and interests of a tourist town congregation and she expanded congregational life to include monthly Shabbat services as well as Friday nights in members' homes, creative and engaging holiday experiences, as well as discussion groups and socials in breweries and coffee-houses throughout the area.

Rabbi Francine served congregations of all sizes, legacy institutions and start-ups. At every congregation Rabbi Francine was the first woman rabbi to serve the community. She faced sexual harassment, discrimination, and challenges to her authority and leadership. Rabbi Francine learned how to manage change, guide a congregation through turmoil, develop strategic planning, and lead a capital campaign. She didn't always do or say the right thing, often learning from mistakes. In Montana, she led the local and Jewish communities in their response to antisemitic terrorism. Rabbi Francine interacted with government at all levels and multiple national organizations to fight back against neonazis across the globe who targeted her friends and family, her congregation and her town. 

Rabbi Francine brings compassion, joy and humility to her work as well as her understanding of the dynamics of trauma, resiliency, antisemitism and interfaith relations. Together we can engage your community in learning and dreaming, healing and growth.