Synagogue Events – Page 2

Haggadah Recommendations for the Passover Seder

by Rabbi Jill Maderer

Pesach is around the corner and the time has come to make plans for Seder, and to prepare to tell the story of the Israelites’ redemption from slavery to freedom! In the last week, I have received many emails with Pesach questions.

Q: Does Rodeph Shalom have a congregation seder I can attend? A: Yes! Please rsvp to our RS Multi-generational Second Night Seder!

Q: What Haggadah should I use at my own seder at home? A: Although no one Haggadah is right for every table, what follows are 5 Haggadot I can suggest for different needs. Remember: never feel like you need to recite the whole Haggadah! If you are the seder leader, flip through ahead of time and mark your book with post-its or notes—it’s all about pre-selection! Continue reading

Martin Luther King, Jr. Shabbat

By Rabbi Bill Kuhn

On Friday evening, January 15, 2010 at our 7:30 p.m. Shabbat Service, we will celebrate the national holiday of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s birthday. In what has become an annual event at Rodeph Shalom, we will share one of the most meaningful interfaith services of our calendar year as we welcome Reverend Kevin Johnson and the Bright Hope Baptist Church. Reverend Johnson will give the sermon that evening as we also welcome many members of his congregation and his choir. Those of you who have heard him speak and have heard their magnificent choir know what an unforgettable experience this is. Continue reading

“Wimpel! Wrapped Wishes”– Discuss the Exhibit at the Philadelphia Museum of Jewish Art

A wimpel is a traditional German-Jewish textile inscribed with prayers and wishes. The wimpel was created in the first weeks of a child’s life and was used to celebrate the milestone of marriage. For “Wimpel! Wrapped Wishes,” 12 artists, inspired by examples in the Obermayer Collection at RS, investigate, interpret and celebrate the wimpel. One of the artists is our RS member, Leslie Sudock! Join us on Thursday, December 17 for the opening discussion and reception at 6pm and then for the benefit supper at 7pm! Thank you to currator, Matt Singer, and to PMJA Director Wendi Furman!

Carrie Rickey Discusses: Parallels between the Movie, “A Serious Man” and The Book of Job

Film has the power to awaken Jewish identity and to raise questions of fate and faith. We are blessed to have Carrie Rickey, the Philadelphia Inquirer Film Critic, as a member of RS and as a film-discussion leader for Synaplex Shabbat this Friday, Dec. 4. Join us at 5:30 pm for a nosh and a choice of 2 Shabbat services. Then engage in a discussion with Carrie Rickey as she explores the provacative new Coen Brothers film, A Serious Man. Head out to see A Serious Man now, and check out Carrie Rickey’s review.

Dr. Deborah Lipstadt

By Rabbi Bill Kuhn

It is timely that we will welcome Dr. Deborah Lipstadt to Congregation Rodeph Shalom on Friday, November 13 at our 8:00 p.m. Shabbat Service, as this year’s Joseph J. & Lulu S. Rosenbluth Memorial Lecture guest speaker. Dr. Lipstadt is an internationally renowned expert and author on Holocaust denial. We have all heard with horror all of the publicity given Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who recently stole the election for the presidency of the Islamic Republic of Iran. He has repeatedly spread his lies that the Holocaust did not happen, and that he believes Israel should be wiped off the map. The fact that Iran is developing nuclear weapons is extremely frightening, in light of these statements and sentiments spewed by Ahmadinejad. One can only hope that President Obama and the world community can find a way to stop Iran’s efforts to destroy Israel before it is too late.

Holocaust denial is nothing new, unfortunately. Dr. Lipstadt made a thorough study of this topic in her ground-breaking book, Denying the Holocaust: The Growing Assault on Truth and Memory (The Free Press, NYC, 1993).

In Memoriam: Doris Garrett

Mention the name Doris Garrett to any Rodeph Shalom long-time congregant and you will get the same reaction as that expressed by Ivan Gable upon hearing of her death on September 9, 2009:

“Doris Garrett epitomized Rodeph Shalom to many congregants over almost two generations. She was Rabbi Wice’s confidant and represented him ably whenever he was unavailable and a member needed help or advice. She helped prepare brides before their marriages in the sanctuary and was loved by hundreds, if not thousands, of members.”

Summer Casual Services

By Rabbi William I. Kuhn

Our Friday night Summer Casual Services are off to a great start. These are one hour services, casual dress, fun atmosphere, great discussion topics, lots of RS members as well as lots of prospective members.

Our discussion topics for this summer are taken from the book, Your Word Is Fire, by Arthur Green and Barry Holtz. We study a brief poem that captures the essence of some of the Hasidic masters’ contemplations on prayer, and then we discuss its meaning in the context of our own Rodeph Shalom prayer service.