Staying Connected at RS
Click here to read the January/February eBulletin!
It is not easy to describe this time in our lives, but this we know-- The words of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. guide us: "The time is always right to do what is right." We join together this shabbat and this week, to reach out to each other with outstretched arms, to honor King's legacy, and to do what is right.

-Rodeph Shalom Clergy
Anti-Racist Work on Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Week
Shabbat Tzedek: Honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. at Shabbat services
Friday, January 15 at 6:00pm
Join together as we commemorate Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.


Multi-Generational Inspiration & Advocacy Day
Sunday, January 17 at 9:30am
Berkman Mercaz Limud is hosting a Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Advocacy and the whole congregation is invited. We will begin with a large Kavanah Gathering with words of wisdom from our Clergy and then will each choose from the following action workshops to learn about an issue and how to advocate: Voters Rights, Gun Violence Prevention, Anti-Racism Legislation. You can join the program here.


Building an Anti-Racist Congregation
Part One: Monday, January 18, 3:00-5:00pm – Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day 
Part Two: Thursday, January 21, 6:00-8:00pm
Please make sure to attend both sessions

Engage in training to deepen your understanding of our biases and of injustice today -- to do the work of anti-racism in ourselves, our congregation, and our world.
In Part One, we will explore how biases hinder us from acting in alignment with our beliefs; In Part Two, we will build skills and action steps to move us forward in our work.

Our training is led by Jews in ALL Hues trainers Jared Jackson and Allison Pokras. Designed for congregants only. Registration is not required, but encouraged. RSVP here. 

Gratitude to the Alfred and Helen O. Sellers Fund for generously underwriting and to the RS Anti-Racism Work Group for inspiring and hosting.


For other opportunities to honor Dr. King's memory, click here.
Be a Part of Cook & Connect with Chef Adeena Sussman
Sunday, February 21, 10:30am-12:00pm EST

Join world-renowned chef, Adeena Sussman, as we take a journey into Israeli and Arab cooking traditions. Learn how to make a delicious tahini
smoothie, and discuss how food is a creative tool which can speak to our identity and bridge cultural differences. Sussman’s three most recent
collaborations, including Cravings and Cravings: Hungry For More with Chrissy Teigen, were New York Times bestsellers. Sussman is the author of Sababa: Fresh, Sunny Flavors From My Israeli Kitchen, named a Best Fall 2019 cookbook by the New York Times. Register here.
Congregational Check-In
Tuesday, January 19 at 7:00pm

Join Dr. Fran Martin and a member of our clergy to check-in and support each other every other Tuesday at 7:00pm. Click here to join.
Torah Queeries Returns
Every other Tuesday starting January 26 at 6:00pm via Zoom

Enjoy ten fascinating Torah study sessions through a queer lens with Rabbi Sue Levi Elwell. How do our beloved, yet often problematic, texts help us make ethical decisions and honor the sacredness of every human being? No Hebrew or text study background is necessary. RSVP here. 
Register Now for Introduction to Judaism
Wednesdays, January 20 - April 14 from 6:00-8:00pm via Zoom

If you are an interfaith couple, considering converting to Judaism, or Jewish and looking for beginner’s education, Introduction to Judaism is perfect for you. It provides a foundation of the Jewish faith, culture, people and history, from a Reform perspective. Cost: free for RS members; $180/non-member singles and couples. Register here.
Help Neighbors at Breaking Bread on Broad
Join in person or with your financial support to help Breaking Bread on Broad (BBoB) distribute food, diapers, and feminine hygiene supplies to families in need at our Green Street entrance.
 
BBoB partners with Philadelphia non-profits and our own RS members to obtain and distribute these necessary items.

To volunteer or donate, contact bbob@rodephshalom.org.
Welcome to The Shiva House Play Reading
Saturday, February 6, 7:00pm & Sunday, February 7, 2:00pm via Zoom

Welcome to The Shiva House is a 45-minute virtual theatrical experience utilizing digital performance, a guided walking meditation, and a companion booklet. Created by professional playwrights and congregants Benjamin Behrend and Logan Schulman, it crystallizes the necessity of communal gathering, sharing grief, and storytelling. Contact Esther Troetschel for information.
Join Together for Shabbat & Torah Study
Honoring
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Friday, January 15 at 6:00pm
with George Altschuler
Saturday, January 16 at 9:15am
Upcoming Virtual Opportunities to Engage
Click the blue links to join each Zoom event.

Friday, January 15
4:30pm: Weekly Meditation; Computer password: 4ULVxX; Phone password: 060386
6:00pm: Shabbat Evening Service; Computer password: 8mBtzy; Phone password: 036011
7:00pm: LawyeRS Happy Hour; Computer password: gK6jd4; Phone password: 529173

Saturday, January 16
9:15am: Torah Study--Parashat Va-eira; Computer password: DS9zSM; Phone password: 564723
10:45am: Shabbat Morning Service; Bar Mitzvah of Boris Pasternak; Recitation of Kaddish; Computer password: Boris; Phone password: 058093

Sunday, January 17
9:30am: Berkman Mercaz Limud in session
9:30am: Multi-Generational Inspiration & Advocacy Day; Computer & phone password: 570426

Monday, January 18
8:00pm: Adult Beginner Hebrew; Contact Mindy Harris

Tuesday, January 19
7:00pm: Congregational Check-In; Computer & phone password: 570426

Wednesday, January 20
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
6:00pm: Introduction to Judaism; Register here

Thursday, January 21

Friday, January 22
4:30pm: Weekly Meditation; Computer password: 4ULVxX; Phone password: 060386
6:00pm: Shabbat Evening Service; Computer password: 8mBtzy; Phone password: 036011

Saturday, January 23
9:15am: Torah Study--Parashat Bo; Recitation of Kaddish; Computer password: DS9zSM; Phone password: 564723

Sunday, January 24
9:30am: Berkman Mercaz Limud in session
Our Condolences to the Family & Friends of
  • Naomi Fishman, mother of Rita (Robert) Auritt and grandmother of Vanessa and Elizabeth

  • Shirley Fox Weinstein, mother of James L. Weinstein (Fran Davis) and grandmother of Jeffrey and Lisa

  • Rosalyn Wilner, grandmother of Nicole (Dan) Perkins and great-grandmother of Will and Zoe
RS Directory Update
Distribution of the directory has sparked an interest in updating information. If you have any updates or would like to be included, please contact Alyssa Geller. We apologize for the layout mistakes.
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
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