In our Congregation's vision to create profound connections, we find strength in our diversity of perspective, age, gender expression, ethnicity, race, sexual orientation, family constellation, and socioeconomic background and we welcome interfaith families with open arms.  Through our Connection Groups, we seek to help peers find one another in order to deepen connections, to socialize, to rejoice with each other in times of joy and comfort each other in times of sadness. All Connection Groups are open to members and prospective members.

If you have questions about which group you might be best suited for, have suggestions for new groups, or would like to form a small group, please contact Steven Share (267-930-7286/sshare@rodephshalom.org).

AmbassadoRS
AmbassadoRS are existing members who welcome and help new members find their place at RS. 

Families with Young Children
Chairs:  Emily Brecher, Hillary Raskin, Rachelle Schneider, Megan Schneider
Families with Young Children work to foster Jewish identity and community in families with children 5 years-old and younger. Gather for Tot Shabbats, holiday sing-alongs, pizza dinners and more. All FwYC are welcome at Buerger events.

Israel ConnectRS
Chair: Ned Hanover
Israel ConnectRS celebrates Israel by presenting dynamic, cultural, and educational programming that strengthens the bonds between RS and Israel.

Jewish Cookbook Club
Chair: Julia Williams
Promote the love of Jewish cooking and the pleasure of eating together. Each month, we share and prepare recipes, sample dishes, and enjoy swapping stories about the food and our lives.

Knitzvot
Chair: Susan Roth
Join the new knitting and fiber arts group and share knowledge, stories and resources.

LawyeRS
Chairs:  Lenny GoldbergerDebbie Poul, Reid Willis
A connection group for our many lawyers. Programming will be educational, entertaining and fun, giving our lawyers an opportunity to strengthen their  ties with RS and each other. The group will provide opportunities for volunteers to engage in pro bono  activities supporting deserving individuals or organizations.

Men of RS
Chair: Andrew Kleeman
Men of RS focuses on social activism and recreational events that are both entertaining and engaging. Our goals are to create opportunities to share good food and conversation with men of varied ages and backgrounds, fostering social relationships, and strengthening the bonds of friendship and community within our synagogue. 

ouRSelves
Chair: Jenni Russell
ouRSelves is a connection group for those 36-49 years old who do not have children by choice or by chance.

pRiSm
Chairs: Heshie Zinman and  Ellen Poster
pRiSm's mission is to strengthen Jewish LGBTQA life and identity at Congregation Rodeph Shalom and in the world. Our work will focus on education, advocacy and celebration.

ReadRS
Chair:  Howard Green and Jordan Marks
ReadRS is an opportunity to connect with each other and share ideas through lively discussions of books. Join in and help us select books of  interest you would like to read -- fiction or non-fiction, serious or humorous, controversial or not -- that not only provide "a good read" but also help us explore the meaning and experience of being Jewish, past or  present, in America and around the world.

RS Women
Chairs: Linda Karp Rudow and Ellen Poster
The mission of RS Women is to provide opportunities to welcome, engage, learn and support one another. We focus our collective energy on women's health and our Jewish values.

Seasoned Solos
Chairs:  Susan Behr and Muriel Kudera
Seasoned Solos are members and prospective members over 50 who enjoy RS events, services, dinners, community service, cultural activities  and camaraderie with one another. We greet at Shabbat services on Friday night, and sit together at services and congregational dinners. 

Young Friends
Chairs:  Judah Calkins and Liane Friedberg 
The Young Friends of Rodeph Shalom gathers members and prospective members, generally in their 20s and 30s, who want to establish and grow roots at RS and in Philadelphia's Jewish community through social events, Jewish learning, and a commitment to tikkun olam.

 

Contact Sr. Membership & Community Engagement Manager Steven Share if you are interested in becoming a member or learning more about Rodeph Shalom.