[vimeo http://vimeo.com/69479024] At the beginning of this summer, we learned of a shocking story. One afternoon at our Reform Jewish camp in Indiana, during a game of ultimate frisbee, a rogue lightening bolt struck the athletic field. The lightening seriously injured 3 campers. Staff performed CPR, and the children were transported to the hospital. In the immediate wake of the havoc, everyone gathered in the dining hall, where the camp director led a Misheberach. What happened next? The camp broke into song. Continue reading
What is Your Food Worth?: Sukkot Reflection
Explore how we set intentions for Jewish food choices in our kick-off to our What is Your Food Worth initiative and first Sunday Seminar of the year. Our discussion with Nati Passow, director of the Jewish Farm School, and Rabbi Eli Freedman is tomorrow, September 22nd 10:15-11:15am. Whet your appetite with Nati’s thought provoking blog post. This opportunity is a part of our What is Your Food Worth partnership with the Feinstein Center for American Jewish History at Temple University.RS Caring Community Supports Recovery
by Robert Fiebach
I was at home at our house at the shore going through some accumulated mail – most of which appeared to be junk mail – when a brochure from the Jewish Community Center of Margate caught my eye. The JCC was advertising a concert and it advertised that singer songwriter Jimmy Webb would be there in a few weeks.
Why would a famous singer songwriter such as Jimmy Webb – who had written hits such as “Up, Up and Away”, a trilogy for Glenn Campbell, “Wichita Lineman”, “By The Time I Get to Phoenix” and “Galveston” – be coming to Margate, New Jersey?Continue reading
Elul Reflections: Jews Don’t Fit Into a Stereotype
As each of us considers our Jewish identity at this intense season of Jewish community, our DiveRSity group at Rodeph Shalom has been thinking about the diverse nature of our Jewish community and how we can help everyone to feel welcome at RS regardless of race, sexuality, and gender among other identities. We explored these issues this spring with our Philadelphia Museum of Jewish Art exhibit “Mis/Constructed Identities: Exploring Jewish Stereotypes.” Here’s another compelling approach: 10 Photos To Remind You That Jews Don’t Fit into a Stereotype (And Never Have).
We look forward to praying with you (High Holy Day service schedule). L’shanah tovah — Your RS Clergy
RS Caring Community Brings Food and Connection
Why are these RS members standing around bowls of organic food in the RS kitchen? They are in the middle of a mitzvah! Many of us participate in our congregational CSA (community supported agriculture) as share holders who support a local organic farm and take home fresh vegetables every week. Each week, Laurel Klein sets aside one “mitzvah share,” assembles a small cooking team, and prepares meals for members to deliver to other members who are facing medical challenges, returning home from the hospital, in mourning, have just had a baby, or are in some way vulnerable. Thank you to Laurel and the team for drastically increasing the food and frequency of the Caring Community impact! In every meal they provide healthy nourishment, compassion and connection! Continue reading
One in 40 Ashkenazi Jews Carries the BRCA Gene Mutation: Preventative Surgery—Not the Promised Land, but Saving Lives
This fall, RS will partner with the Basser Research Center for BRCA to educate about the gene mutations related to breast, ovarian, and other cancers. Mark your calendar for Sunday, Oct 6, contact me to get involved, comment here or privately to me to share how breast or ovarian cancer has touched you personally, and learn more with the following summary, based on the D’var Torah I delivered this Friday, July 12.
This May, actress Angelina Jolie, made the bold decision to publicly share her courageous, life-saving choice, to have a preventative double mastectomy. Having watched her mother die of cancer at the age of 56, Jolie was counseled to be tested, learned she is a carrier of a BRCA 1 gene mutation, and was told that there was an 87% chance she would develop breast cancer, as well as a 50% chance that she would develop ovarian cancer. Angelina Jolie’s decision was not an easy one.Continue reading
A Taste of Judaism: Are You Curious?
Ever wondered how you could invite your friends and family to experience a “Taste of Judaism” at RS? Now there’s an answer! A Taste of Judaism: Are You Curious? is a FREE, three-session program designed for the unaffiliated – Jews or non-Jews – all are welcome. Please reach out to your extended family members, future in-laws, neighbors and friends and offer them a “Taste” of what makes Judaism so special. For more information or to register contact Catherine Fischer at 215-627-6747 x46 or email at cfischer@rodephshalom.org. Rabbi Eli Freedman will teach the course at RS on Wednesdays, August 7, 14 & 21, from 6:00-8:00 pm. Taste of Judaism was created by the Union for Reform Judaism.
Celebrate the End of DOMA
We do not support LGBT Equality in spite of the fact that we are religious; we support equality because we are religious and understand that we are all created b’tzelem Elohim, in the image of God. Join us at RS this Friday evening at our 6:00 pm Shabbat service for a Shehecheyanu, our blessing for gratitude, celebrating the Supreme Court decision to strike down DOMA. Learn more about the the decision in the light of progressive Jewish values, here.
Get to Know RS
What does being a member of RS mean? Read what one new member said below, then check out ways to get to know the community here.
I have officially joined my synagogue! The Rabbi and the director of membership were both a bit surprised when they realized I was not already a member. In their typical expression of generosity and inclusion they said they already thought of me as a part of the family. It’s as if we had a common law marriage and we have now made it official. When I entered the synagogue for Shabbat services last night, it felt different. I was now a member. A contributor. An official part of the family. Continue reading
Gay Pride Celebration and Advocacy at Rodeph Shalom and Beth Ahavah
This month, we affirm our Jewish values of justice and righteousness as we celebrate Gay Pride month. Congregation Rodeph Shalom and Congregation Beth Ahavah invite you to join us for education and advocacy! This Wednesday, June 5 at 7:00 pm, Ted Martin, the executive director of Equality Pennsylvania will speak at RS on: “Love and Let Love: The State of LGBT Civil Rights in Pennsylvania.” And Friday, June 7 at our 6:00 pm service we will celebrate Gay Pride as well as Shabbat.
Why does Congregation Rodeph Shalom share with Congregation Beth Ahavah (whose mission it is to welcome LGBT Jews and who resides at Rodeph Shalom) such passion for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender rights? Rabbi Kuhn laid out the source of advocacy in a Bulletin article last year, (March 1, 2012 Bulletin) when he called for Marriage Equality (just weeks before President Obama did!). Continue reading
