Click here to read the March/April eBulletin
|
|
Deuteronomy's words tzedek, tzedek tirdof/justice, justice you shall pursue, called out in the wake of this week's verdict for the murder of George Floyd. At the same time, they didn't seem to be the precise words for the moment, all the more so when more racist violence followed. So, this week, we share another Jewish term, actually a new term entered into modern Hebrew: acharayutiyut. From the root for responsibility, acharayutiyut means accountability. This week, we mark accountability of the verdict, and the accountability yet to come, that will bring us closer to tzedek, to justice.
-Rodeph Shalom Clergy
|
|
RS Driveway Mishkan Shabbat Service Experiment |
|
In just about one week, on Friday, April 30 at 6:00pm, rather than Zoom from home, a small group will Zoom from outdoors at Rodeph Shalom for our Shabbat service--a little experiment! In our aim to bring the divine presence with us onto the driveway and be outdoors, as the Israelites brought the divine into their outdoor mishkan on their journey through the wilderness, think of it as our Driveway Mishkan Service.
If you’d like to be in the lottery pool to participate in-person in the Mishkan Service on April 30, please email clergyoffice@rodephshalom.org by tomorrow, April 23. Most of the congregation will Zoom in that evening as is our usual practice. Thank you for coming on this journey with us!
|
|
Michael Solomonov's Story of Addiction & Recovery |
|
Sunday, May 2 at 5:30pm on Zoom; Patron event at 4:30pm on Zoom
Join world-renowned chef and restaurateur Michael Solomonov 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
-
Dr. Colleen Barry, Moderator and congregant, 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 for $300 (with a special program preceding the main event). All are welcome regardless of ability to pay. Contact Dina Horowitz. Proceeds benefit Caring Community. |
|
Days of Learning: For Congregants, Led by Congregants |
|
Monday, April 26 through Friday, April 30
Choose as many of these 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!
|
|
Anti-Racist Greeting Workshop |
|
Thursday, May 13 at 7:00pm
All of us who officially greet at RS or who just show up and interact, greeting in an unofficial way, have the opportunity to prepare to soon re-enter our physical space through a lens of anti-racism! This workshop with Deitra Reiser, owner of Transform for Equity, will explore barriers to belonging and how to create spaces of belonging with concrete examples and actions.
Of the 7.2 million Jews in the United States, 1 million are Jews of color. Does that surprise you? Are 1 out of 7 or 8 people at Rodeph Shalom people of color? It is time to open our doors wide to welcome and embrace everyone.
Hosted by RS Community Engagement and Anti-Racism Groups. Thank you to the Community Engagement Innovation Fund for its sponsorship of this event.
|
|
Join the Reform Movement's Racial Justice Campaign |
|
Wednesday, April 28 at 8:00pm
The Religious Action Center for Reform Judaism Racial Justice Campaign seeks to turn our movement inward to examine our own behaviors and practices through the lens of racial equity, diversity, and inclusion. It also seeks to pursue targeted advocacy to begin to change policies that create a more equitable society for all. We are striving to create a world in which all people experience wholeness, justice, and compassion.
Register to learn about this Campaign and how you can get involved. Click the image to watch the launch campaign video.
|
|
Jews of Color and People of Color Affinity Space Gathering |
|
Monday, April 26 at 8:15pm
Join Gen Xia Ye Slosberg and Jared Chiang-Zeizel from LUNAR: The Jewish Asian Film Project, and co-host, Yolanda Savage Narva for the Jews of Color and People of Color Affinity Space Gathering. These gatherings are led by and are specifically for Jews of Color and Jewish Adjacent People of Color (those of us who are People of Color and do not identify as Jewish, but are partnered with a Jewish person or part of a Jewish family). Affinity spaces offer People of Color a safe space to have open conversations. Affinity spaces can provide a space for People of Color to connect around their lived experiences, without having to comfort or teach white people about race and racism.
|
|
Join Together for Virtual Shabbat & Torah Study
|
|
 |
Friday, April 23, 6:00pm
D'var Torah: Rabbi Emeritus Alan Fuchs
|
|
|
|
Saturday, April 24, 9:15am
with Rabbi Sue Levi Elwell
|
|
|
|
|
Saturday, April 24, 9:45am
|
|
|
|
Saturday, April 24, 11:30am
|
|
|
|
Upcoming Connection Group Events |
|
Wednesday, April 28, 6:30pm
See here for discussion questions |
|
Thursday, April 29, 7:30pm
|
|
Open to all; Hosted by RS Women
Sunday, May 2, 11:00am
|
|
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 diaper drive uses the Target gift registry for diapers, wipes, and 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 or to volunteer, contact bbob@rodephshalom.org.
|
|
Upcoming Virtual Opportunities to Engage
|
|
Click the blue links to join the Zoom
Friday, April 23
Saturday, April 24
Sunday, April 25
9:30am: Berkman Mercaz Limud in session
Monday, April 26
8:00pm: Adult Beginner Hebrew
Tuesday, April 27
Please note: the Congregational Check-In will not be held this evening
Wednesday, April 28
8:30am: Morning Minyan with Mourner's Kaddish; RSVP to Tomas Isakowitz for Zoom information 4:30pm: Midweek Hebrew
Thursday, April 29
Friday, April 30
Saturday, May 1
Sunday, May 2
9:30am: Berkman Mercaz Limud in session
5:30pm: Story of Addiction & Recovery with Michael Solomonov; Register here
|
|
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.
|
|
-
Phil Edelstein & Farrell Sharkey and Karen & Fred Edelstein on the birth of their daughter and granddaughter, Eloise Sophia Edelstein
-
Elle Felderman, daughter of Lauren & David Felderman, on her Bat Mitzvah
-
Howard & Jane Jacobs on the birth of their granddaughter, Nora Joy Jacobs. Parents are Lee Jacobs & Becca Grubman
-
Kathryn Haves, daughter of Valorie Haves, on her Bat Mitzvah
|
|
Our Condolences to the Family & Friends of |
|
-
Estelle Erlick, grandmother of Melissa Erlick
-
Ronald Litman, husband of Daphne Klausner; father of Alan and Cory Litman; stepfather of Ethan and Rebecca Genyk; son of Arthur and Barbara Litman
-
Victor Rosenberg, father of Betsy (David) Plimack; grandfather 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.
|
|
Harrisburg Advocacy Day
Wednesday, May 19
Join the Jewish Federation’s Jewish Community Relations Council and ADL for a day of advocacy as we meet - virtually - with our elected officials at the State Capitol in Harrisburg to raise awareness about issues of concern to our communities. Register here.
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. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
