Click here to read the March/April eBulletin
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With Passover only a little over a week away, we think about our own communal journey to redemption. We are reminded of the words in the haggadah, that every generation should feel like they personally went through the Exodus. May these words from our prayer book, Mishkan T'filah, help to fulfill this obligation:
Standing on the parted shores of history, we still believe
what we were taught before we ever stood at Sinai’s foot;
that wherever we go, it is eternally Egypt;
that there is a better place, a promised land;
that the way to that promise passes through the wilderness;
that there is no way to get from here to there
except by joining hands together.
-Rodeph Shalom Clergy
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Celebrate Passover with Rodeph Shalom |
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NEW! How-What-Why Seder Training
Sunday, March 21 at 11:30am
Learn with the clergy to create a great seder this year (with resources), even during the pandemic. Share your creative seder ideas (for Zoom or in-person) so we can include them to clergyoffice@rodephshalom.org.
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Connect Virtually With One Another During Passover
Are you able to expand your virtual seder to invite RS members interested in joining you? Are you looking to attend a virtual seder being held by others in the RS community? Are you interested in creating your own seder with another RS community member? Please contact Cheryl Dougherty.
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Families with Young Children & Buerger Early Learning Center Passover Seder & Celebration
Tuesday, March 23 at 5:00pm
Join for a family-friendly seder and Passover celebration. Sing songs and share tips on having a meaningful holiday with your family. Download an interactive haggadah here. Join the Zoom here.
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Congregational Second Night Seder
Sunday, March 28 at 5:30pm
Celebrate virtually with your Rodeph Shalom community.
Click here for a list of items needed for the seder so you can participate! Register here.
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pRiSm hosts a Virtual Social Justice Seder
Thursday, April 1 at 6:00pm
Join pRiSm on the sixth night of Passover to reflect upon our moral obligation to fight for the liberation of all. pRiSm works to strengthen Jewish LGBTQIA+ life and identity at RS and in the world and strives to create an inclusive congregation through education, advocacy, and celebration. Register here.
Passover Festival Service with Yizkor
Saturday, April 3 at 10:45am
Join us virtually for the Passover Festival Morning Service.
ConnectRS: Help Wish Members a Happy Passover
Reach out to our community by making phone calls to RS members from March 22 through April 2. Wish congregants a happy Passover, check in to see how they’re doing, and ask what they might need from our RS community. A script and information are provided. Contact Melissa Erlick.
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Board of Directors Nominations |
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The nomination process for the RS Board of Directors is underway. The primary pool for Directors is the Board of Advisors. The Board Development Committee and the President would like to see the full range of the skills, perspectives, and passions of RS members represented among both Directors and Advisors. If you want to take on a larger role at RS, or if you know someone who would enhance our Board of Directors or Board of Advisors, we want to hear from you! Please complete the interest form at bit.ly/3qyKGKU no later than March 26.
A few things to keep in mind:
- Before submitting someone else’s name, please confirm that they wish to be considered.
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There is no minimum financial commitment required, although Directors are expected to make RS a top priority in their annual giving. Financial means should not be a barrier to serving as a Director or Advisor.
- Directors must be members in good standing (dues fully paid or current on a payment plan).
If you have questions about the nomination process, please email Michael Hauptman.
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Join Together for Shabbat & Torah Study
To enter the service, click the blue links below.
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Saturday, March 20, 9:15am
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Ask Your Senators to Protect LGBTQ People From Discrimination |
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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.
Currently, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and gender non-conforming (LGBTQ) people face discrimination in a wide variety of areas. Most states do not have laws protecting LGBTQ people from discrimination and sexual orientation and gender identity are not explicitly protected classes under federal civil rights law, leaving the LGBTQ community vulnerable to discrimination in housing, education, credit, public accommodations, and federal funding. 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
Please take the time now to call your Senators offices or The Capitol Switchboard at (202) 224-3121 or call SAGE at (833) 774-0717 to get connected to your Senators automatically. If you call SAGE, you will hear a short message before getting connected to your Senator’s office to speak with a staffer.
Write
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Breaking Bread on Broad Diaper Drive |
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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.
We are continuing the diaper drive using the Target gift registry and hope you will continue to donate diapers, wipes, and now baby formula. (If you use the gift registry and do not have a Target website user account, you will need to open an account to opt for automatic delivery to RS.) Contact bbob@rodephshalom.org if you have any questions.
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.
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Union for Reform Judaism (URJ) Jews of Color & People of Color in the Reform Movement Affinity Space Gathering |
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Thursday, March 18 at 7:00pm
This gathering provides a space for Jews of Color and People of Color who are Jewish Adjacent (those who are People of Color & do not identify as Jewish, and may be partnered with a Jewish person or part of a Jewish family) to have open conversations and to connect around their lived experiences.
Our hosts for the calls are Yolanda Savage-Narva, the URJ Director for Racial Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion, and Deitra Reiser, Owner of Transform for Equity. To learn more about race-based affinity spaces, click here. Register here. This meeting is specifically only for People of Color, 18 years & older.
If you have any questions about this program, please email Aliza Greenberg.
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Neighborhood Zip Code ClusteRS & COVID-19 Vaccine Registration |
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Neighborhood ClusteRS:
To help fellow congregants get a ride to a vaccine appointment, secure groceries, or for help navigating the COVID-19 vaccination registration process online, sign up to be a volunteer and contact Melissa Erlick with your zip code.
Vaccine Information:
For Philadelphia residents: Sign up here to reserve your place in line for the vaccine. You can now get the vaccine at Fairmount Pharmacy. Click here for information.
For Pennsylvania residents: For vaccine information, click here
For New Jersey residents: To complete your vaccine registration, click here. Learn more here.
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Upcoming Virtual Opportunities to Engage
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Click the blue links to join each Zoom event.
Thursday, March 18
Friday, March 19
Saturday, March 20
Sunday, March 21
9:30am: Berkman Mercaz Limud in session
Monday, March 22
8:00pm: Adult Beginner Hebrew
Tuesday, March 23
6:00pm: Torah Queeries; Computer password: jX7NEc; Phone password: 181922
Wednesday, March 24
8:30am: Morning Minyan with Mourner's Kaddish; RSVP to Tomas Isakowitz for Zoom information 4:30pm: Midweek Hebrew
6:00pm: Introduction to Judaism
Friday, March 26
Saturday, March 27
Sunday, March 28
Berkman Mercaz Limud not in session
5:30pm: Congregational Second Night Seder; Register here.
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Our Condolences to the Family & Friends of |
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Judith Clark, mother of Vicki Clark-Kadish (Andrew Kadish) and grandmother of Rachel and Jacob
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Meital Frankel, daughter of Cantor Erin & David Frankel, on her Bat Mitzvah
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Brooke Freezman on the birth of her son, Elliott Jameson
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Dylan Howe, son of Rachel Howe and Laurence Howe, on his Bar Mitzvah
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Emily & Jose Sabalbaro on the birth of their daughter, Ren Eleanor
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Emily & Craig Taflin and Mary Ellen & Louis Bernstein on the birth of their daughter and granddaughter, Jaclyn Samantha
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For Congregants Experiencing Financial Distress |
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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.
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Lindy CineMondays Spring Series
Presented by the Gershman Philadelphia Jewish Film Festival (GPJFF)
Streaming Monday Nights, April 5 - 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. |
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