Staying Connected at RS
Thursday, May 6 | Parashat B'har B'chukotai
Click here to read the May/June eBulletin
We all have lessons and wisdom to take away from this year. This podcast episode expresses some of our clergy's understandings, love, and gratitude for the commitment of the congregation and the next steps we are shaping. Watch it to celebrate all that we have experienced together, and share it with a friend who might be interested in learning more about Rodeph Shalom! Click the image to watch the episode.

-Rodeph Shalom Clergy
Anti-Racist Greeting: What Are the Implications of the Way I Greet Others at Rodeph Shalom?
Thursday, May 13 at 7:00pm via Zoom

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.
Hungry to Learn: Combating the Hidden Hunger Crisis on College Campuses in Our Community
Join for a two-part event. View the documentary Hungry to Learn on your own or together on Tuesday, May 11 at 7:00pm. Then attend a powerful discussion on Tuesday, May 18 at 7:00pm with speakers from RS, Challah for Hunger, The Hope Center, and more. Take collective action and become an advocate to combat hunger.

Contact Lisa Dubroff for information.
Celebrate the Festival of Shavuot
Come together with our Center City Jewish Kehillah (Jewish community) to celebrate Shavuot. Join on Sunday, May 16 via Zoom from 3:00-6:00 pm and Monday, May 17 for classes outdoors around Center City. Rabbi Maderer will teach an "Introduction to Shavuot" class on Sunday, May 16 at 5:00pm.
On Monday, May 17 at 10:45am, a Shavuot Festival Service with Yizkor will be held via Zoom.
RS Gun Violence Prevention Task Force
Wednesday, May 19 at 6:00pm—Lt. Governor John Fetterman
Thursday, May 20 at 6:00pm—State Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta

Attend these two important presentations with public officials who will share their differing points of view on this critical issue impacting the safety and prosperity of our city, state, and country.

Contact Doug Rosenblum for information.
New E-Statements Arrive This Month!
Your financial participation enables Rodeph Shalom to continue to be a visionary and vibrant community. We are deeply grateful for your commitment. 

For congregants with open financial amounts, e-statements will now be sent to your email. Instructions on how to submit payment are included in the email. If we do not have e-mail information, a statement will be sent via the postal service. Please click here to let us know if your email has changed. Future enhancements planned for this fall include the ability to pay electronically.
Join Together for Virtual Shabbat & Torah Study
Friday evening Shabbat services are live streamed on the RS Facebook & YouTube.
Friday, May 7, 6:00pm
Due to weather, the in-person Shabbat service has been postponed until May 14
with Rabbi Emeritus Alan Fuchs
Saturday, May 8, 9:15am
Join With Others Who Are Converting to Judaism
A newly-formed Conversion Excursion group will meet on Saturdays after Torah Study to explore what it means to choose a Jewish life. Reach out to Rachel Arledge or Hann Flite with questions.
Tools to Help You Be an Informed Voter
In collaboration with POWER Interfaith, download the election guide (click the blue button below) created by the ending mass incarceration team of POWER’s Live Free Criminal Justice Campaign.
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, May 7
6:00pm: Shabbat Evening Service; Wedding Blessing: Carol Sacks & Bruce Lockman

Saturday, May 8
9:15am: Torah Study (with Rabbi Emeritus Alan Fuchs); Parashat B'har B'chukotai

Sunday, May 9
9:30am: Berkman Mercaz Limud in session

Monday, May 10
8:00pm: Adult Beginner Hebrew

Tuesday, May 11

Wednesday, May 12
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, May 13
7:00pm: Anti-Racist Greeting; Register here

Friday, May 14

Saturday, May 15
9:15am: Torah Study (with Rabbi Emeritus Bill Kuhn); Parashat B'midbar

Sunday, May 16
9:30am: Berkman Mercaz Limud in session
Help Each Other Get Vaccinated
Vaccine Information
For Philadelphia residents:
  • Individuals can walk-up for a vaccine, schedule online, or by calling 3-1-1. Individuals will need to show proof of residency (piece of mail will suffice) OR proof of employment in the city (work ID, work schedule, pay stub), but do not need to have an ID. No one will be asked about their immigration status. This site is using the Pfizer vaccine, which is two doses with three weeks in between.
  • Center City Vaccine Center (through May 26)
  • Pennsylvania Convention Center, 100 N. 12th Street (12th and Arch Streets)
  • Walk-up availability is from 8:00 am—4:00 pm, seven days a week

For Pennsylvania residents: For vaccine information, click here

For New Jersey residents: To complete your vaccine registration, click here. Learn more here.
Mazel Tov
  • Roberta & Ira Brenner on the birth of their granddaughter, Gili Edzia Brenner Litwok. Parents are Logan Brenner & Yoni Litwok

  • Blair Krevitz & Cory Herring on the birth of their son, Jonah Caleb

  • Lauri & Michael Mufson on the birth of their granddaughter, Zoe Hayes Mufson. Parents are Dan & Justine Mufson
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
Recipes from the Jewish Family Children's Service (JFCS) Kitchen Cookbook
Proceeds benefit food insecurity and kitchen programs. Purchase here to support JFCS.

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.

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