Staying Connected at RS
Having trouble connecting to Zoom? Contact Mindy Harris.
Click here to read the March/April eBulletin
We are building a covenantal community – a sacred bond with each other and with God that is only complete when we all belong, and we all are witness to each other’s full presence.

Last Shabbat, an informal conversation among congregants transpired that involved pronoun use. The intent of the comments was not hateful, but this comes to serve as a reminder that outcome, more than intent, is what shapes culture. There were people who heard it and felt hurt and marginalized, and for that, we are truly sorry. In the moment, a rabbi interrupted and taught that when cisgender people -- that is, people whose gender identity matches their gender assigned at birth – use pronouns, in our Zoom name and in referring to others by correct pronouns, it is an act of solidarity with transgender and gender non-conforming people. This is not a place to hide or minimize any part of our identities. We are all learning; thank you for continuing to help us build a covenantal community. 


-Rodeph Shalom Clergy
Celebrate Yom Ha'atzmaut at an All-Star Concert
Philly Hearts Israel
Sunday, April 18, 4:00-5:00 p.m.

Celebrate Israel Independence Day with a family-friendly virtual concert that will feature Jewish camp favorite Rick Recht, peace activist David Broza, and many of their musical friends!
The Weaponization of Discourse: Where is the Line Between Anti-Israel and Anti-Semitism on Campus?
Tuesday, April 20 at 7:00pm

Hear Professor Kenneth S. Stern and peace activist Joyce Ajlouny as they discuss a state-sponsored definition of Anti-Semitism, looking particularly to college campuses to examine whether such definitions hinder free speech in the US and elsewhere. This program is moderated by Rabbi Eli Freedman, Raz Segal, congregant and Professor of Holocaust and Genocide Studies at Stockton University, and Ariella Werden-Greenfield of the Feinstein Center.

Co-sponsored by Temple’s Feinstein Center for American Jewish History and Stockton University.

In our Jewish community, we encourage dialogue and debates — l’shem shamayim (for the sake of heaven). In this spirit, we are excited to engage in this distinct learning opportunity.
Days of Learning: For Congregants, Led by Congregants
Monday, April 26 through Friday, April 30

Choose as many of the ten wide-ranging classes as fit your schedule:

  • Study psalms introspectively
  • Look expansively to the galaxy through Star Trek’s take on Judaism
  • Travel back in time to the heyday of music that Jews composed for movies
  • Go further back to colonial Jewish Philadelphia
  • Hear music and stories of Jews along the Silk Road
  • Step into the present to hear about the unique paths some congregants took to RS
  • Discover your commonalities with fellow congregants as you talk and laugh over quirky questions
  • Meet published authors in our midst
  • Learn about local food equity in action
  • Explore how to make retirement more meaningful. 

All await you in Days of Learning!

Questions? Contact Gail 'Malka' Meister or Ellen Poster.     
Michael Solomonov's Story of Addiction & Recovery
Sunday, May 2 at 5:30pm; Patron event at 4:30pm

Join world-renowned chef and restaurateur Michael Solomonov on Zoom as he shares his recovery journey with addiction. Together, we work to support our Caring Community and destigmatize addiction.

The event continues with a panel discussion about addiction featuring Richard Roisman, leader of our Caron support group and Caron Treatment Centers board member, David Rotenberg, Executive Vice President and Chief Clinical Officer for Caron Treatment Centers, Dr. Tom Scott, congregant and Pain Management Specialist, and our Moderator and congregant, Dr. Colleen Barry, Chair of the Department of Health Policy and Management at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.

Cost: $18/general admission or support as a patron. All are welcome regardless of ability to pay. Contact Dina Horowitz. Proceeds benefit Caring Community.
Join the Reform Movement's Racial Justice Campaign
Wednesday, April 28 at 8:00pm

The Racial Justice Campaign seeks to turn our movement inward to examine and address our own behaviors, practices, and policies through the lens of racial equity, diversity, and inclusion and to outwardly pursue targeted, strategic advocacy to begin to change laws and policies that create a more just and equitable society for all. We are striving to create a world in which all people experience wholeness, justice, and compassion.

Register to learn about the Racial Justice Campaign and how you can get involved.
Join Together for Virtual Shabbat & Torah Study
Friday evening Shabbat services are live streamed on the RS Facebook & YouTube.
Friday, April 16, 6:00pm
Torah Study (w. Rabbi Emeritus Bill Kuhn)
Saturday, April 17, 9:15am
Upcoming Connection Group Events
Friday, April 16, 7:30pm
Wednesday, April 28, 6:30pm
See here for discussion questions
Breaking Bread on Broad Diaper Drive
Breaking Bread on Broad (BBoB) is the social justice program at RS that helps meet the needs of our severely food insecure neighbors for food, diapers, and menstrual supplies each Wednesday morning. The needs of our BBoB babies for nutrition, hygiene, and comfort are ongoing.

The diaper drive continues using the Target gift registry and you are asked to continue to donate diapers, wipes, and now baby formula. (If you use the gift registry and do not have a Target website user account, please open an account to opt for automatic delivery to RS.) Questions? Contact bbob@rodephshalom.org.

We are grateful for your support of BBoB by helping to repair the world and caring for our neighbors. To volunteer, contact bbob@rodephshalom.org. 
Upcoming Virtual Opportunities to Engage
Click the blue links to join the Zoom

Friday, April 16
4:30pm: Weekly Meditation; Computer password: 4ULVxX; Phone password: 060386
6:00pm: Shabbat Evening Service; Computer password: 8mBtzy; Phone password: 036011
7:30pm: Seasoned Solos Virtual Gathering; Computer password: u4U6Qg; Phone password: 780514
7:30pm: Young Friends: American Jewish/Israeli Jewish Relations with Nathan Hersh; Computer password: 6FHEqA; Phone password: 872354

Saturday, April 17
9:15am: Torah Study (with Rabbi Emeritus Bill Kuhn); Parashat Tazria-M'tzora; Computer password: DS9zSM; Phone password: 564723
9:45am: Shabbat Morning Service; Bat Mitzvah of Elle Felderman; Computer password: Elle; Phone password: 525652
11:30am: Shabbat Morning Service; Bat Mitzvah of Kathryn Haves; Computer password: Katie; Phone password: 513140

Sunday, April 18
9:30am: Berkman Mercaz Limud in session

Monday, April 19
8:00pm: Adult Beginner Hebrew

Tuesday, April 20
5:45pm*: Torah Queeries; Computer password: jX7NEc; Phone password: 181922; *please note earlier start time for this session only
7:00pm: The Weaponization of Discourse: Where is the Line Between Anti-Israel and Anti-Semitism on Campus?; Register here

Wednesday, April 21
7:00am: Volunteer for Breaking Bread on Broad; Contact bbob@rodephshalom.org
8:30am: Morning Minyan with Mourner's Kaddish; RSVP to Tomas Isakowitz for Zoom information
4:30pm: Midweek Hebrew

Thursday, April 22
7:30pm: Young Friends Torah Study; Computer password: w1pMAs; Phone password: 734414

Friday, April 23
4:30pm: Weekly Meditation; Computer password: 4ULVxX; Phone password: 060386
6:00pm: Shabbat Evening Service; Computer password: 8mBtzy; Phone password: 036011

Saturday, April 24
9:15am: Torah Study (with Rabbi Sue Levi Elwell); Parashat Achrei Mot-K'doshim; Computer password: DS9zSM; Phone password: 564723
9:45am: Shabbat Morning Service; Bar Mitzvah of Jack Grodin; Computer password: Jack; Phone password: 585582
11:30am: Shabbat Morning Service; Bat Mitzvah of Ruth Kuriloff; Computer password: Ruth; Phone password: 210133

Sunday, April 25
9:30am: Berkman Mercaz Limud in session
Advocate for the LGBTQ Equality Act
The Equality Act (H.R. 5/S.393) recently passed the House of Representatives. Now, it is time for the Senate to guarantee federal civil rights protections to all LGBTQ people. Please urge the Senate to swiftly pass the Equality Act. 

Aligned with our Reform Jewish values, The Equality Act will address discrimination against LGBTQ people by amending existing civil rights laws to include protections based on actual or perceived sexual orientation and gender identity.

Call your Senator's offices or The Capitol Switchboard at (202) 224-3121 or call SAGE at (833) 774-0717 to get connected to your Senators automatically. Write your Senators or use the line on the The Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism website to contact your Senators on the Equality Act.

Contact Chip Ellis and Heshie Zinman for information.
Help Each Other Get Vaccinated
To help fellow congregants get a ride to a vaccine appointment, secure groceries, or to navigate the COVID-19 vaccination registration process, sign up to volunteer; contact Melissa Erlick with your zip code.

Vaccine Information
For Philadelphia residents: Sign up here to reserve your place in line for the vaccine.

For Pennsylvania residents: For vaccine information, click here

For New Jersey residents: To complete your vaccine registration, click here. Learn more here.
Mazel Tov
  • Hector Kilgoe on his conversion to Judaism

  • Gemma Leitzell, daughter of Lainie (of blessed memory) and Stephen Leitzell, on her Bat Mitzvah

  • Hannah Rubin, daughter of Erika & Chad Rubin, on her Bat Mitzvah

  • Rachel Simon & Andrew Barron on the birth of their son, Benjamin Ezra
Our Condolences to the Family & Friends of
  • Robert Allen Fox, husband of Penny Fox and father of Nancy

  • Lynda Gross, mother of Alyssa Gross and grandmother of Haley

  • Victor Rosenberg, father of Betsy (David) Plimack and grandmother of Alex and Maya
For Congregants Experiencing Financial Distress
The Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia has created a Congregational Rabbis COVID-19 Emergency Fund to provide aid to our congregants and community members who are in need of financial assistance. This is to aid those suffering from the current pandemic. The funds are intended to help those in need of food, medical assistance, rent/mortgage payments and/or medical expenses. If you or a community member is in need of help, please contact one of our clergy or Jeff Katz.
In the Community
Lindy CineMondays Spring Series
Presented by the Gershman Philadelphia Jewish Film Festival (GPJFF)
Streaming Monday Nights through May 10
GPJFF is excited to premiere six fantastic new Jewish films from across the globe that you can watch in the comfort of your own home! All Lindy CineMondays films are available to residents of PA, NJ, & DE, and have a flexible 7-day streaming period. All films are $15 and All-Access Passes are $60, including Young Friend sponsorships for as little as $30! For tickets and info, visit PJFF.org.

Parkinsingers Virtual Rehearsals
Mondays from 4:00-5:30pm
The Parkinsingers Choir unites people with Parkinson's Disease, care-partners, and friends in a community dedicated to making music of the highest quality in a welcoming environment. Contact Marjorie Samoff.

Red Cross Blood Drive in Our Neighborhood
For information on nearby blood drives, click here, and contact Kristin McKale with questions.
Congregation Rodeph Shalom | rodephshalom.org