September, 2019
The Opening Event is this Month -- see below!
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Greetings!
Women of Rodef Sholom provides you the opportunity for community. Come feel connected and meet some wonderful women. We want to get to know you!
With September here, we are in full throttle!
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Honey for Sale
Rosh Hashana is Sept. 30th
- Cost $13 per jar
- If ordered by Sept 4, Honey is guaranteed to arrive by Rosh Hashana
- ORT Honey is True Source Honey and can be tracked from hive to table

Cards and postage are expensive! For only a little bit more cost, your family and friends will receive a beautiful jar of honey with your New Year's greetings!
Proceeds support WRS Tikkun Olam fund
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Delivery in time for Rosh Hashana is guaranteed for orders placed
through September 4th
and we will continue to accept orders through the High Holidays.
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It's time to renew your Membership for the 2019-2020 year
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You can do it on-line. It's easy!
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WRS OPENING EVENT
Sun, Sept 15th 3-5 pm
Rodef Sholom Social Hall
Speaker:
Antonia Landels of Planned Parenthood Northern CA
REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS ARE HUMAN RIGHTS
This is not just a woman's issue
Join the Women of Rodef Sholom (WRS) for this unique opportunity to hear the latest information about reproductive rights, and recent attacks on our access and rights to make healthy decisions about reproductive health, reproduction and sexuality.
The Women of Reform Judaism (WRJ) has long been a defender of legal full access to reproductive health care and abortion rights; they are launching a “Reproductive Justice Campaign” in partnership with the Religious Action Center (RAC). This campaign will provide training, education and resources to mobilize the Reform community around reproductive rights and justice.
The Mission Statement of WRS features the fostering of Tikkun Olam (repairing the world), encourages social action, and creates opportunities for individual growth through study, spirituality, and community. Recently, WRS donated precious Tikkun Olam funds to Planned Parenthood to support their mission to provide vital reproductive health care, sexual education and information.
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- FREE to all "paid up" WRS members 2019-2020
- $18 for prospective members/guests
- We want the entire Congregation to attend
- FREE to Midrasha students
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Join us for an afternoon of discussion on this important Social Justice topic, refreshments and Sisterhood!
For more information contact the Programming Co-Chairs:
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9/3 and 9/17 1-3 pm Rodef Sholom Social Hall
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Monthly open Mahj play is usually the first & third Tuesday of every month.
Remember to bring card and sets. All skills welcome!
Let's have fun!
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9/18 7:15-8:15 JCC Library
(3rd Wed. of the month)
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Schedule:
Sept 18:
Button Man by Andrew Gross
October 16: The Only Woman in the Room by Marie Benedict (also uses the name Heather Terrell)
November 20: Imagining Argentina by Lawrence Thorton
December 18: Inheritance by Dani Shapiro
To RSVP
CLICK HERE
or Call Alice Miller with questions: 415-381-6792
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Annual POOL PARTY - August 25 - So much fun!
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A GREAT TURN OUT AND A FABULOUS AFTERNOON!
We welcomed new members and reconnected with friends. Nice start to the year.
Yasher Koach to the Programming Committee for putting on such a lovely event.
Thank you to Toni Golbus for hosting the WRS Pool Party again this year.
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RAC Lobby Day in Sacramento
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There were over 200 Reform Jews lobbying for RAC, which is 100 more than they’ve ever had in previous years; they didn’t expect such an amazing response!
Our group, meet with Senator McGuire’s staff, and we also had the lovely opportunity to meet with Assemblyman Marc Levine, in person.
Yasher Koach to this group of Social Justice warriors!
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Save the Date in November
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Save the Date
SISTERHOOD SHABBAT
November 8th at 6:15
A night of song, spirituality, serenity and Shabbat!
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WANT TO GET INVOLVED
BUT DON'T KNOW HOW?
The Women of Rodef Sholom’s Programming and Membership Committees are seeking new volunteers. Volunteering time, energy and passion to these committees is rewarding work! It is also a great way to meet new people, contribute to interesting projects, and give back to our wonderful organization.
Programming Team meeting: Tues, Sept 3rd 5:30 - 7:00 pm Location: JCC Library
The Programming Team is responsible for organizing a wide range of WRS events: Pool party, Opening event, Sisterhood Shabbat, Women’s Seder and Retreat. If you are in joining a dynamic, fun group, please join the Programming Team.
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Fall and Winter Hours:
MON - THURS: 10:00 am - 3:00 pm
FRI: 11:30 am - 2:00 pm
SUNDAY (most) 10:00 - 12:30
Closed all Saturdays
Or by appointment, call Ingrid: 415-640-7868
As we are solely run by volunteers, call to make sure we're open: 415 444 8098
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GET READY FOR THE HIGH HOLY DAYS
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Jewish Honey Bears? Kids and adults fall in love with these honey holding cuties
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Don't care for bears? We have this sweet pot to adorn your table
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Lovely, white Jewish tablecloths can handle honey spills
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Spiff up your tallit. Still wearing your beloved ancestor's tallit and it's showing its age? We have exquisite women's and men's tallits you'll fall in love with.
Make a joyous sound with a fantastic shofar; many sizes and prices.
Jewish themed paper goods, honey pots, cards, hostess gifts, jewelry & Judaica!
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THANK YOU
For taking the time to vote in the J READERS CHOICE CONTEST FOR 2019 for the WRS JUDAICA GIFT SHOP. We're very proud of our little shop located in the JCC.
Take the opportunity to vote for Congregation Rodef Sholom, the Osher Marin Jewish Community Center, Brandeis Marin Jewish Day School and the Early Childhood Education Center.
TAKE A FEW MINUTES. IT'S A MITZVAH.
Stop in the Gift Shop to get all of your High Holy day needs!
Claudia Belshaw, Ingrid Tolson, Joanna Berland, Ronna Voorsanger
Gift Shop Management Team
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Message from our President
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Dear Women of Rodef Sholom and friends,
My name is Mirabel Levine and I am Jen’s eldest daughter. Based on the upcoming events for the Women of Rodef Sholom (WRS), we thought it would be fun to have me write to you all. I will start with a brief introduction of myself. I am newly twenty-one years old, and, as you may know, have a brother and sister who are eighteen years old. I just entered my senior year at Harvard College in Massachusetts, where I am studying Economics and Global Health. I spent this summer in Washington, D.C., working at an HIV and hepatitis non-profit. I enjoyed my time in D.C., but as always, the Bay Area has my heart. The weather and the people on the West Coast will always be the best in my eyes.
My mom talks about WRS all the time. My siblings and I joke that WRS has taken over her life, and while we somewhat miss the days when she had more time (and wanted to spend it with us), we are all happy that she is so fulfilled.
Jen loves speaking to you all, getting to know new members and their families, and attending the events. On that note, she sends her regrets for missing the always-fun
WRS Pool Party
at the end of August, as we were dropping my brother off to start his freshman year of college in Ohio and visiting my grandparents in Indianapolis. I understand that you will participate in an important social action project at the event, which is critical in this day and age. A week and a half is a lot of family time; I’m sure my mom would prefer to be with her WRS friends!
Now for the main focus of this letter: the upcoming
WRS “Opening Event” is on
Sunday, September 15, from 3-5pm in the Social Hall featuring a speaker from Planned Parenthood, Antonia Landels
. WRS has opened this important event to all genders Congregation-wide. In addition, attendance is free for students. As a young person, I believe that it is incredibly important for everyone to educate themselves on the disparities in reproductive and sexual healthcare within our dynamic community. The fight for reproductive justice is a growing and necessary movement in today’s political climate. This event is the perfect opportunity for individuals of all backgrounds to learn, grow, and work together to make the world a better place. Bring your family and your friends. Unfortunately, I will back in Massachusetts at the time of the Opening Event. However, my mother cannot wait to see you there!
Thank you for listening to my spiel!
Thoughtfully yours,
Mirabel Levine
Daughter of the President, Women of Rodef Sholom
Guest Columnist
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Dear Sisters:
Each year, Frank turns to me around this time of year and asks, “is it here yet?” Every days he will ask again, “is it here yet? Is it time?” What he is asking is, when does Elul begin? Because on the first day of Elul, which is the Hebrew month preceding the High Holy Days, the formal rituals of preparing for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur begin. And of course, he can feel when Elul is approaching- I am immersed in various books and articles simultaneously, and am continually distracted by the work of preparing for the Days of Awe.
This year, the Jewish month of Elul begins on Shabbat, August 31st and arrives as both a gift and a challenge. It is a gift because it enables us to do the holy and transformational work of teshuva, of taking an accounting of our souls and repairing our relationships. And Judaism has gifted us a number of helpful rituals to support and guide us through this period.
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Elul Traditions:
1. Traditionally, we blow the shofar each day (in the morning) of Elul, except for Shabbat. Why? The shofar helps to stir our soul and awaken us from complacency. It wakes us to increased mindfulness and awareness of the world around us, inside of us, and between us and other people. Now, we may not all possess a shofar or feel that our shofar skills are up to the task of awakening our souls. In this case, we can set aside a few minutes each day, and mark it some other way, with some other sound (there’s got to be an app for this)!!
2. I create a notebook each Elul (or just add to last year’s notebook) in which I record any thoughts or insights that emerge during my reflection. This helps me to be accountable during my teshuva, and serves as a guide throughout the month. There are also favorite Elul books that I revisit each year. Rabbi Alan Lew z”l
This is Real and You are Totally Unprepared
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a favorite, along with Maimonides’ works on repentance.
3. During Elul, it is customary to ask forgiveness from the people in our lives, and to offer forgiveness freely in return. We ask for forgiveness for transgressions or wrongs we have caused inadvertently or on purpose. Keep a list, it helps!
4. It is also customary to recite Psalm 27 every morning and night during this month (traditionally, we recite Psalm 27 through Simchat Torah). It is a Psalm of hope and humility.
5. On the final Saturday night of Elul, we gather in the synagogue for Selichot services. This is among the most awe-inspiring and spiritually moving services of the year. On this special night, we change the Torah mantles to white, reflecting our repentance and cleansing of our souls. This tradition comes from Isaiah 1:18, where it is stated that our sins will be made white as snow. Moreover, we begin singing the familiar High Holy Day tunes, and turn toward the High Holy Days. This year Selichot falls on Saturday night, September 21st.
I so look forward to celebrating another New Year with you and our synagogue community, and wish you a very sweet, joy-filled year.
In this New Year,
May our world know peace,
May our nation know peace,
and May our souls know peace as well.
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WRS New Minhag (custom)
"Heal Her Now" SCARFS
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El na, refah na lah (Please God, heal her now)
From Numbers 12:13 -
Then Moses cried to the LORD, "Heal her now, O God."
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The Women of Rodef Sholom has a new minhag (custom) which was introduced and created at the WRS Retreat this year. Beautiful hand-made silk scarfs were produced, wrapped in Mishaberach prayers while holding the Torah, and adorned with healing prayers and love.
When a woman in our Congregation has a very serious illness, she will be presented with a "Heal Her Now" Scarf as a gift from the Women of Rodef Sholom. Rabbi Stacy has the box of scarfs.
Sharing this kind of loving kindness, refu’ah sh’leymah (complete healing), and Torah, is what Sisterhood is all about.
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We solemnly pray that you never need one of these scarfs. However, if you do, please contact Rabbi Stacy or
wrs@rodefsholom.org
and you will be wrapped in healing love.
El na, refah na lah (Please God, heal her now)!
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Congregation Rodef Sholom
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In the bin this month: In the temple lobby
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September:
High Holy Day food drive for Marin Community Food Bank and JFCS Food Pantry.
Also, continue School Supplies for students in need in Marin County.
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