Posted by:
on Sep 2, 2010
May your year be filled with sweet blessings of health and happiness from the Clergy, Board of Directors and Staff of Congregation Rodef Sholom
Posted by:
on Sep 2, 2010
Saturday, September 4, 8 pm, Sanctuary
The summer has come to a close. 5771 is nearly upon us. Join us for a night of introspective questioning and a collective look towards the new year. Together we will change the mantels on the Torah to white, we'll sing and we'll reflect back and look ahead to a good year.
Posted by:
on Sep 2, 2010
Sunday, September 5, 6 am sharp
Meet at the synagogue at 6 am sharp! It’s mikvah time again — time to look in. The water is waiting. And it will be invigorating. Bring warm clothes, a towel, and an appetite for breakfast afterwards. And bring a willingness to ask big questions of yourself and about what turn(s) you want to make in 5771. RSVP to Pete at 479.3441 or pete@rodefsholom.org.
Posted by:
on Sep 2, 2010
Kever Avot v’Imahot—Visiting the Graves of Our Loved Ones
Rabbi Michael Lezak
A few weeks ago, I was walking through the Rodef Sholom cemetery at the end of Fifth Street in San Rafael. I looked down at the gravestones and read the names and dates of the loved ones so many of us have buried on that sacred plateau. So many sacred stories. So many heavy tears. As I stood there, I thought not only about the people buried at Sha'arei Shalom. I thought about all of our loved ones who've been buried in other places far from Fifth Street. I remembered a story a congregant shared with me about how her Jewish mother was buried in an African tribal burial ground in the Bophuthatswana, located just north of South Africa. She told me about how because of the great geographical distance, and because of political complexities of the region, she will never be able to visit her mother’s grave.
This story got me thinking about the Jewish ritual of visiting the graves of loved ones. Known formally as Kever Avot v’Imahot (literally ‘Fathers’ and Mothers’ graves”), mourners are encouraged to ritualize visits to the graves of loved ones, on yahrzeits, birthdays and especially between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur.
On September 12, the Sunday following Rosh Hashanah, congregants of all ages are invited to gather at Sha'arei Shalom to share stories of our loved ones who've died. What might it mean for us to ritualize individual and communal visits to that holy space, to share stories and to shed tears and to support one another as we remember all of our loved ones, whether they were buried across the world or across a bridge or right here in San Rafael. And how might we go about fortifying and extending the sacred web of support that Rodef Sholom offers to all of its members in dark places.
Please join us on Sunday, September 12, from 9:30 to 11:30 am, at the end of Fifth Street for Nizkor, a Day of Remembering our Loved Ones. Please bring pictures and stories to share. Please RSVP to Pete@rodefsholom.org if you plan on coming, need a ride and/or can offer a ride.
Posted by:
on Sep 2, 2010
Sukkot begins on Wednesday, September 22, and lasts for 7 nights, followed by Simchat Torah, on Wednesday, September 29, at 7 pm, where we joyously dance with the Torah (last year we ended up in the parking lot!).
•Thursday, September 23
10:30 am Festival services
Join us for Sukkot Festival services in the sanctuary.
•Friday, September 24
5 -5:45 pm, Sukkah
Sukkot for families with young children Snacks and stories in the sukkah with the fabulous Jonathan Bayer of Tot Shabbat fame! Parents, grandparents and little kids welcome. RSVP to Pete at 479.341 or pete@rodefsholom.org.
•Friday, September 24
6:15 pm, Shabbat services
7:30 pm, congregational Sukkot picnic dinner Bring a picnic dinner with a dessert to share for after Shabbat services! RSVP to Pete at 479.3441 or pete@rodefsholom.org so we can set up for the right amount of people.
•Saturday, September 25
12 noon – 2:30 pm
Lunch in the Sukkah: Women of Rodef Sholom Sukkot Gathering Graciously opening her home and beautiful sukkah for the fourth annual WRS potluck dairy lunch and learning, Gail Giacomini invites WRS member to gather for a wonderful afternoon of holiday study, lively conversation and delicious food. RSVP to Rhonda Daniels at 895.1432 or e-mail wrs@rodefsholom.org, subject line: Sukkot.
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Through the efforts of our Kulanu/ Inclusion of Those with Disabilities Committee, Rodef Sholom has been acknowleded as an accessible congregation by the National Organization on Disability. 