Click here to read the March/April eBulletin
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Passover is known as z'man cheiruteinu, the season of our redemption. As we read in the haggadah, "This year we are slaves, next year may we be free." Like our spiritual ancestors of the Bible, we must also walk that narrow path to freedom. While the path to the promised land is long and difficult, we know that we have an important role to play in our collective redemption. Please register and join us for our Second Night Congregation Seder, where we will celebrate our redemption from Egypt and explore these themes of liberation in our lives today.
-Rodeph Shalom Clergy
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Celebrate Passover with Rodeph Shalom |
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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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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. If you know of someone in our congregation or their families who has lost a loved one to COVID-19, please send the names of those lost to Mindy Harris to be read at this 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.
Passover Resources
Click the links below for all things Passover and keep track of all Jewish holidays with this printable calendar.
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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, 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 giving priority. 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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Become Involved with Anti-Racism through POWER Interfaith Campaigns |
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Wednesday, April 7 at 7:30pm
Join us for presentations from two of our RS Anti-Racism work groups on their participation with POWER Interfaith of Philadelphia.
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RS Criminal Justice Reform Group will discuss their campaign, “Live Free,” which addresses Police Accountability, Ending Gun Violence, Immigration, and Ending Mass Incarceration. Contact Deb Davies for information.
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RS Education Justice Group will address full, fair funding for all Philadelphia public schools and how to achieve this goal through group actions and in the upcoming Primary election. Contact Gail 'Malka' Meister for information.
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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 27, 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. 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 your Senator's offices or The Capitol Switchboard at (202) 224-3121 or call SAGE at (833) 774-0717 to get connected to your Senators automatically.
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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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Helping Each Other To Get Vaccinated |
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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 the Zoom
Friday, March 26
Saturday, March 27
First Night of Passover
Sunday, March 28
Second Night of Passover
Berkman Mercaz Limud not in session
5:30pm: Congregational Second Night Seder; Register here.
Monday, March 29
8:00pm: Adult Beginner Hebrew
Tuesday, March 30
Wednesday, March 31
International Transgender Day of Visibility
Midweek Hebrew not in session
8:30am: Morning Minyan with Mourner's Kaddish; RSVP to Tomas Isakowitz for Zoom information 6:00pm: Introduction to Judaism
Thursday, April 1
Friday, April 2
Saturday, April 3
9:15am: Torah Study; Computer password: DS9zSM; Phone password: 564723
9:30am: Tot Shabbat; Computer password: Mc7Cyw ; Phone password: 578257
Sunday, April 4
Berkman Mercaz Limud not in session
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Our Condolences to the Family & Friends of |
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Lela Wakil, wife of Abraham Wakil
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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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