Chairs: Betsy Fiebach (fiebach@aol.com) & Cheryl Dougherty (cdougherty16@gmail.com)

Supporting our sacred community in times of joy, sadness, and need.

Our ancient tradition calls upon each one of us to embrace our community wholly as a congregational family. We rejoice in times of joy, visit and nurture the ailing, mourn with those in grief, and connect the RS community with opportunities and resources to learn and support one another no matter the need. In these endeavors, we work hand in hand with the clergy, respecting privacy and anonymity.

Mitzvah Meals: Creating Profound Connections with Members Who Cannot Get to RS Easily

All are welcome to help shop, cook, bake, and/or deliver meals to congregants who can't get to RS due to ill health, a recent birth or a death in the family. 

Wednesday, December 7 from 5:00-7:00 p.m.

Volunteers are welcome to help shop, cook, bake and/or deliver meals to provide to our member families in the midst of personal transitions such as surgeries, illness or new babies. Due to the pandemic, we are limiting the number in the kitchen to ten and requiring masks and vaccinations. Sign up for this session or future dates using this form. Questions? Contact Cheryl Dougherty

ConnectRS: Help Us Connect with Every Member Household

Chairs: Cheryl Dougherty (cdougherty16@gmail.com) & Linda Karp Rudow (lrkarp@aol.com)

Join the ConnectRS team and help us perform a mitzvah! We are looking for congregants to bring their cell phones to make phone calls to RS members and wish them a Happy Passover on behalf of RS. No soliciting—just friends, fun, and food (lunch provided).

Shalach Manot

Help assemble Purim gift baskets delivered to congregants who cannot get to Rodeph Shalom easily.

Support Groups

Widows Moving Forward -   Dedicated to supporting and nurturing women in a warm and safe environment

Meetings are on the third Wednesday of each month from 6:00-7:30pm
The loss of a spouse can be overwhelming and painful. The support of a community can help provide comfort and strength at this sad time. 

Caring Community of Widows offers the opportunity to connect with other widows in a safe and positive environment on the third Tuesday of every month.

*Contact Susan Gross for information

National Alliance of Mental Illness (NAMI) Connections Support Group

Meetings are on the second & fourth Tuesday of each month from 7:00-8:30pm.
This group provides encouragement and hope for individuals living with mental illness and is led by trained NAMI volunteers. 

National Alliance of Mental Illness (NAMI) Family Support Group

Meetings are on the second & fourth Tuesday of each month from 7:00-8:30pm
This group is for caregivers of individuals with mental illness and is led by trained NAMI volunteer facilitators. Contact Betsy Fiebach (fiebach@gmail.com).

Support Group for Parents of Children with Addiction and Mental Health Diagnoses 

Meetings are on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month from 7:00-8:30 pm
We meet regularly to learn more about substance abuse and mental health disorders, share experiences/resources, and explore how to appropriately support our adolescent and adult children. Anonymity respected. No affiliation with RS is necessary. No charge. For more information, contact The Caron Center (www.caron.org)

Ongoing Opportunities

Receive a Call or Visit; Be a Caller and/or Visitor

Many RS congregants have been thrilled to receive a call and/or visit from a member of our Caring Community team. In addition to talking and sharing, our visitors bring with them a care package. If you know of someone who would benefit from a call or visit, or if you would like to be a visitor, please contact Dina Horowitz.

Neighborhood ClusteRS: Neighbors Caring for Neighbors

If you are interested in helping RS members near your home who cannot get to RS due to ill health, a recent birth, or a death in the family, please contact Steven Share. You are welcome to participate as many times as you can.

Challah for Hospitals

Chair: Joanne Gotto (joanne.gotto@jefferson.com)
Visit Jewish in-patients in at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital and Pennsylvania Hospital on Friday afternoons for 1-1.5 hours. Each patient is given a challah and a prayer card. All volunteers must have up to date immunizations, flu vaccinations, PPD test, a criminal background check, child abuse clearance, and be at least 14 years of age. Contact Joanne Gotto for more information or to volunteer.

ReSpectAbility Accomodations

The ReSpectAbility Group, is working to provide additional accommodations in services for congregants with mobility issues. Welcoming and including all members of our Rodeph Shalom family is integral to the Rodeph Shalom mission of creating profound connections.

Please contact Steven Share (sshare@rodephshalom.org) or Stephanie Strauss (strauss.s.now@gmail.com) with your needs or for more information.