february voice - Rodef Sholom: A Reform Jewish Congregation in Marin County, California

february voice

Welcome to the February Voice

Purim is almost here! This year, Purim falls on Sunday, February 28, and this year we are planning something special. Highlights include a totally silly congregation-wide Megillah reading at 10 am (with a visit from Michael (Lezak) Jackson!) and an opportunity to fulfill the mitzvah of sending each other misloach manot (gifts of food and hamantaschen) with the help of the Women of Rodef Sholom. See below for the full details, including tots, religious school kids, mishloach manot ordering and more!

In addition, we have an article about Israel and the Women of the Wall from Rabbi Stacy Friedman, news about Israel's quick response to the Haitian disaster from Claire Mikowski, the launch of the Ashrei Project from Rabbi Michael Lezak and a lovely story about Len and Patti Blumin and their planned gift to Rodef Sholom.

Finally, February is Jewish Disabilities Awareness Month. Please click here to learn more about what Rodef Sholom has been doing and what work still needs to be done to make our congregation as inclusive and accessible as possible.

If you would prefer to read a hard copy of the February Voice, check back here by Thursday, February 4, and you will be able to click here to download and print it. Remember, becuase of privacy considerations, personal member information such as b'nai mitzvah announcements, lifecycles and donations are only listed in the Voice e-mail, not online at the blog.

Again, if you have any questions about navigating the Voice or the website, please contact either Deanna or Meredith at 479.3441 and we will do our best to help you.

Table of contents

Purim - click here to read about our fabulous Megillah reading, mishloach manot ordering, and the campus-wide PurimPalooza we are hosting along with the JCC!

Israel
• A voice for progressive Judaism in Israel: The Women of the Wall by Rabbi Stacy Friedman
• From Israel to Haiti with love by Claire Mikowski
• Save Sunday, March 21, from 1:30 to 3 pm for a presentation on Israel's Hand in Hand schools: a ray of hope in a sea of conflict
• Click here for information about any of our trips to Israel this summer (our family trip, our trip for 10th graders and our trip for 11th &12th graders)

Torah and Prayer
• The Ashrei Project by Rabbi Michael Lezak
• How we are not like Pharoah: a d'var Torah from Jacob Wynd
• Volunteer Shabbat - Parsha Terumah - honoring members of our congregation who helped to make our congregation welcoming, warm and inclusive.

Voices of Giving
• Len and Patti Blumin: Anyone can do this!
• An update on Adrienne Marcus Wilson's planned gift
• More about our Planned Giving seminar coming up on February 21st
• Creating a lasting legacy for our children, and our children's children by Jan Luxenberg, president, Board of Directors

Religious School news for February

Exploring the World of Judaism Spring Schedule

Tikkun olam opportunities
• The Jewish Approach to Social Justice: a conversation with Rabbis Lavey Derby and Jill Jacobs
• Winter Shelter - Sign up to host or provide dinner at Rodef Sholom
• Habitat for Humanity - we are forming a team!
• The Rodef Sholom Mitzvah Corps is going back to New Orleans

Community connections
• Jewish Disbailities Awareness Month
• Family weekend at Camp Newman
• Passover home hospitality
• New Family Chavurot forming now!
• February classes, programs & events
• February schedule of services
• The Lefferts Jewish Community Library is re-opening!
• Women of Rodef Sholom/Sisterhood February events
• Women of Rodef Sholom Gift Shop