Tonight we begin a new month in our Hebrew calendar; the month of Adar. As our most joyous holiday, Purim, occurs during Adar, our sages famously wrote in the Talmud, "Mishenichnas Adar marbim b'simcha/When the month of Adar begins, our joy increases." It can be hard to cultivate joy these days but our tradition pushes us to find it. For many of us, we find joy in celebrating and rejoicing together with our community. Although we are still physically distant from one another, one way we can join in the joy of Purim this year is by sending mishloach manot (Purim gift baskets) to one another. As it says at the end of Megillah (The Book of Esther), "On the month which had been transformed for them from one of grief and mourning to one of festive joy...They were to observe them as days of feasting and merrymaking, and as an occasion for sending gifts to one another."
-Rodeph Shalom Clergy
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Celebrate Purim with Rodeph Shalom |
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Last Call to Order Mishloach Manot Gifts for Purim
Engage in the mitzvah of sending Purim gift bags filled with hamentashen and other delicious treats — “ mishloach manot” — to friends, children, and others in our community. Look in your inbox for the " Purim Mishloach Manot" email from Jennifer James (January 15) with your personalized code. Order by February 14. Contact Esther Troetschel with questions. Proceeds benefit Berkman Mercaz Limud. |
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Events for Adults
Thursday, February 25 at 6:00pm
Enjoy singing, stories, dancing, the Megillah reading, and Purim Spiel. Bring a l'chaim, costumes, and your mishloach manot to nosh on during the program.
Saturday, February 20 at 9:15am
Join Rabbi DeBlosi for a serious look at the concept of drag and gender. On Purim, we don costumes, sometimes playing with gender stereotypes. As conversations around gender multiply, we consider the ways in which living “beyond the binary” of “male” and “female” can liberate ourselves, and one another. Click here for the source sheet for this class. |
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Events for Children
Sunday, February 21 at 11:30am
The fun begins with the 2nd Grade class reenactment of the Purim story. There will also be a student-led Megillah reading. Next, the Clergy and staff will entertain you with a “Trolls World Tour” themed Purim Spiel that you will not want to miss. Don't miss the virtual costume parade accompanied by Purim themed music where you can strut your stuff, dance your heart out, and show off your amazing costume!
Sunday, February 21 at 12:15pm
Enjoy storytime with local drag sensation Brittany Lynn, featuring interactive stories. Designed for young children through 4 th graders, older children are also invited; adults will definitely enjoy with the children in your life! Please reach out to Esther Troetschel to RSVP and for the event link. Presented by pRiSm, Berkman Mercaz Limud, and Families with Young Children. |
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Rodeph Shalom Gun Violence Prevention Events |
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Discussion with CeaseFirePA
Thursday, February 11, 6:00pm
Learn about this organization and its current initiatives from Adam Garber, Executive Director of CeaseFire PA, the leading gun violence prevention advocacy organization in our state. Attend by clicking here.
Discussion with Heeding God's Call to End Gun Violence
Thursday, February 18, 6:00 pm
Bryan Miller, Executive Director of Heeding God's Call To End Gun Violence, a multi-faith gun violence prevention organization, will discuss the organization's initiatives & how to be involved. Click here to attend .
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Join Together for Shabbat & Torah Study
To enter the service, click the blue links below.
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Friday, February 12, 6:00pm
You can also access our live-streamed services on the
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Saturday, February 13, 9:15am
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Saturday, February 13, 10:45am
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Cook & Connect with Chef Adeena Sussman While Supporting RS |
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Sunday, February 21 from 10:30am-12:00pm EST
Join world-renowned chef Adeena Sussman for a sensory-rich 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. Support this philanthropic initiative and become a patron or register to join here.
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Breaking Bread on Broad Diaper Drive |
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Breaking Bread on Broad (BBoB) is the social justice program that helps meet the needs of our severely food insecure neighbors for food, diapers, and menstrual supplies each Wednesday morning, currently providing these items to 130 families weekly. Thank you to our donors for your incredible generosity.
The needs of our BBoB babies for hygiene and comfort are ongoing. Diapers can be prohibitively expensive for families who are worried about putting food on the table. Please continue to donate diapers and wipes using the Target Gift Registry here. Or, take a look at the registry to see our needs and you can purchase diapers and wipes from any source you choose. If the method you select does not have a delivery option, you can drop the items off at the RS security desk and complete the donation form to let us know.
Thank you so much for this act of tikkun olam, repairing the world, by helping one baby at a time. If you would like to volunteer for BBoB, please contact us at bbob@rodephshalom.org.
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COVID-19 Vaccine Registration Information |
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We are exploring matching congregants who need help navigating the COVID-19 vaccination registration process online. To connected with a volunteer resource, or to sign up to be a volunteer, contact Melissa Erlick.
For Philadelphia residents: Sign up here to reserve your place in line for the vaccine
For Pennsylvania residents: For vaccine information, click here
For New Jersey residents: To complete your vaccine registration, click here. You can find more information on covid19.nj.gov/vaccine.
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Upcoming Connection Group Events (Open to All) |
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Click the blue links to learn more about each event. |
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Friday, February 12, 7:30pm
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Thursday, February 18, 6:00pm
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Tuesday, February 23, 8:00pm
Hosted by Men of RS
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Upcoming Virtual Opportunities to Engage
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Click the blue links to join each Zoom event.
Thursday, February 11
Friday, February 12
Saturday, February 13
Sunday, February 14
Berkman Mercaz Limud not in session
Monday, February 15
8:00pm: Adult Beginner Hebrew
Tuesday, February 16
Wednesday, February 17
8:30am: Morning Minyan with Mourner's Kaddish; RSVP to Tomas Isakowitz for Zoom information 4:30pm: Midweek Hebrew
6:00pm: Introduction to Judaism
Thursday, February 18
Friday, February 19
Saturday, February 20
Sunday, February 21
9:30am: Berkman Mercaz Limud in session
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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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The Gershman Philadelphia Jewish Film Festival Presents: The Vigil
Streaming Sunday, February 14 at 7:00pm through Sunday, February 21
A BRCA Family Affair presented by The Basser Center's Parents Leadership Community
Tuesday, February 23 at 6:30pm
Join Susan Domchek, MD, in conversation with Ali Rogin (author of Beat Breast Cancer Like A Boss) and her parents. This virtual chat focuses on one family's journey after discovering they were BRCA mutation carriers. 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. |
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