Hello Angela,

We wish you an excellent new year of good times,

good health, and much joy.

This month we travel virtually to Zfat, Israel. We hope you'll join us in learning about this ancient city which achieved fame and a reputation as the "City of Kabbalah" during the 16th century.

Join the Women of Rodef of Sholom for a virtual tour of Zfat. Zfat is a Galilean town in Israel situated on Mt. Canann. It became the center of Kabbalah, the ancient Jewish tradition of mystical interpretation. 

We’ll walk through the cobblestoned alleys, visit Kabbalistic synagogues, enjoy local art, and above all, absorb the mystical atmosphere unique to Zfat on this virtual tour led by tour guide Julia Newman.

This virtual tour is free.

REGISTER NOW

Tikkun Olam is a core value of the Women of Rodef Sholom and charitable giving is budgeted for each fiscal year.

The WRS Tikkun Olam expenditure for December 2022 was $3,600. These organizations were each granted charitable gifts of $600.00 by the Women of Rodef Sholom: 

Anti-Defamation League, 

Canal Alliance, 

Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society, 

Planned Parenthood of Northern California, 

National Council of Jewish Women-Jewish Fund for Abortion,  

Jewish Family and Children’s Services. 

The Women of Rodef Sholom is proud to participate in the San Francisco Marin Food Bank Holiday Dinner Drive again this year. Several years ago the San Francisco Marin Food Bank expanded their annual Holiday Dinner Drive to include the winter holidays. WRS, CRS, and four other SF and Marin congregations raised over $26,000 in 2021 for the SF Marin Food Bank, providing 52,000 meals to those in need. They need our help more than ever this year based on increased demand and escalating food purchasing costs

Donate online: sfmfoodbank.org/dinnerdrive

1. Select Women of Rodef Sholom from the drop down menu and complete your donation. Use the QR code below the photograph.

The Rosh Chodesh Group

Next meeting: Tuesday, January 3

2:00pm - 3:30pm on Zoom

“Whoever blesses the moon in its time welcomes

the presence of the Schechina (female Devine presence).”

In this month of Tevet (December 24–January 22), we read from the Chai Mitzvah materials a list of Tevet facts, including the body part (liver), emotion (anger), zodiac sign (Capricorn) and goat (slowly but surely reaching the summit). There are 4 texts with discussion: Rachel and Leah: What’s better, compassion for a sister or love of a man?;Psalm 137:4-6 O Jerusalem: Are you feeling exiled?; Capricorn: What is your summit of joy?;

Merle Feld’s “We all stood together” : How is this poem similar or different to women’s lives today?

Please join us. Everyone is welcome.

REGISTER TO ATTEND

If you would like to purchase Rosh Chodesh 

materials ($18.00), click here.

These materials are not required to attend our meetings.

Questions:

[email protected]



The WRS Book Club will discuss

The Lincoln Highway

by Armor Towles

The book selection for March:

March 6 - Klara and the Sun by Kazuo Ishiguro

REGISTER TO ATTEND



Join other

Women of Rodef Sholom for

monthly walks in Marin.

We will walk for about an hour and for about three miles, rain or shine, on varying terrain throughout the county.

Dates and locations:

Sunday, January 8 - 10:00am in San Rafael

Sunday, February 5 - 10:00am in Larkspur

Sunday, March 5 - at 10am in Sausalito

Register by emailing to [email protected] with your name, telephone number, and zip code.

We will send you details before the walk.

We hope you will join our Sunday Walking Group.



Sales staff needed in the WRS Gift Shop

Have you ever considered yourself behind the counter meeting folks coming into the JCC and helping someone find that special gift?

We need you now! Flexible shifts and a 20% discount on your purchases.

Thinking about it? Email our Volunteer Coordinator to find out more.



WRS Board Meeting

Tuesday, January 10

7:00pm - 8:30pm on Zoom

Our Board of Directors meetings are the first Tuesday of 

the month and are open to all members. The January meeting is rescheduled due to the New Year's holiday.

Send your name and email to [email protected] if you would like to attend this or future meetings.

WRS continues to recruit members to volunteer with several standing committees within our organization. If you are interested in sharing your talents with Membership, Programming, or Social Justice and Fundraising endeavors, please email your contact details to [email protected]. 

WRS Programming Team Meeting

Tuesday, January 17

5:30pm - 7:00pm

This Team meets the third Tuesday of the month.

At our January meeting, we will focus on planning for the WRS Seder and Passover events. RSVP with your name and email to [email protected], and the Zoom link for the meeting will be emailed to you. If you attend a meeting, you will be added to the distribution list for future meetings. Join us! We are stronger together.

THANK YOU WRS PROGRAMMING TEAM:

Amy Friedricks, Denise Freinkel, Angela Giacomini,

Laura J. Giacomini, Toni Golbus, Susan Goldwasser, Toni Grimes, BettyAnn Kram, Barbara Kraus, Sheri Langer, Jen Levine,

Eileen Levy, Alissa Ralston, Fanny Stein.



What led you to get involved with Women of Rodef Sholom?

As my kids were growing up, I was continually involved in committees and parent boards related to their schools and extracurricular activities. I enjoyed contributing to a cause or organization I felt was important and meaningful, while working together with other people who had similar values and interests. As my kids left for college, I was looking for something that would fulfill those same needs, and Rodef Sholom sisterhood provides all of that. Community, giving back, and connection to Judaism are what is important for me to have in my life.

What is your favorite memory from a Women of Rodef Sholom event? 

My favorite memory is my first Women's Seder. I shared a table with 9 friends and acquaintances I knew from school and religious school. Looking around the room, it was heartwarming to see so many generations of women, singing, dancing and enjoying a meal together. It was very memorable and reconfirmed my connection to WRS.

In one word, what does Women of Rodef Sholom mean to you?  

Community

What is something people would be surprised to learn about you? 

I focused on art in high school. I took art electives and spent lunch hours and free time in the art studio. I went to Parsons School of Design on Saturdays of junior and senior year and spent summers in art programs. However, I wanted a well-rounded college, as opposed to an art school, and I ended up switching to a business major, which led to a career in retail. I stopped working to take care of my kids. 

What is something that you do for fun? 

I have a passion for tennis and try to play at least twice a week. I love the combination of being outdoors, exercising, competing, and being with friends. I also enjoy baking bread. The slow, multi-day process leading up to the end result is very rewarding to me.

What books, poems or songs inspire you?

SONGS: Both Sides Now from the movie CODA and Anything by Debbie Friedman. A Fine Balance is one of my favorite books. Also, Just Mercy, The Warmth of Other Suns, Infidel, and Educated.

Who is your favorite Jewish woman and why?

My mom is my favorite Jewish person. She taught me the importance of family, Judaism, and having compassion for others.

 Read more about Rodef Sholom's social justice activities.

 Congregation Rodef Sholom's website

The Women of Rodef Sholom is a proud member of the Women of Reform Judaism and WRJ Pacific District (WRJ PD). Sign up for the WRJ PD's weekly "Chai Line."

Reform Movement Leaders Denounce the Supreme Court’s Decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization. Read here

WRJ “Advocacy Matters” Newsletter. Sign up here

WRS received Special Merit recognition on the WRJ Honor roll for our generous contributions in 2022 to WRJ’s YES (Youth, Education, and Special Projects) Fund.

Marin Organizing Committee (MOC)

Sunday, January 15, 1:00 - 5:00pm

In person at Fresno City College

MOC joins Statewide Session on the Politics of

the California Economy

How can we act to make our California communities places where all can live and thrive? Join leaders and organizers from organizations across the state for a conversation about the California economy. We’ll learn together, build and strengthen relationships, share local strategies, and discuss how we are building power organizations capable of acting to improve the quality of life of families across the state.

REGISTER HERE

MOC is organizing a bus to take participants to Fresno. If you’re interested, send email here.

MOC consists of faith-based and nonprofit organizations that are working on social justice issues around renter protection, affordable housing, aging, and mental health within our community. Congregation Rodef Sholom is proud to be one of the founding members of MOC. To learn more, contact Judy Bloomberg.

Visit the MOC website to learn more.



Congregation Rodef Sholom's Capital Campaign

The Women of Rodef Sholom's mission is aligned with this project. Please add your support. 

For more information about Rodef Sholom's new sacred space and ways to contribute, click here.