STUDY & TORAH
Torah with Soul, May 4, 11 and 25 at 9:15 am
Shabbat mornings, 9:15 am*, Inner Conference Room
Join us for soul-lifting Torah for learners of all levels and ages. Torah on the Trails, May 18 at 8:30 am
*Note: on the 3rd Saturday of the month, weather permitting; Torah with Soul will become Torah on the Trails with a member of our clergy for a nice hike and some good learning. Contact Pete in the office at pete@rodefsholom.org or 479.3441 for the location of this month’s trailhead. If it’s raining, we’ll meet in the ICR at our normal time.
Tot Shabbat, May 4 and 18, at 9:30 am
1st and 3rd Saturday of the month
Jonathan Bayer, the rock star for the pre-school crowd, will be using movement and song to introduce young children to Shabbat morning services. Come with your child or grandchild and learn developmentally appropriate Jewish rituals and prayers that you can take home. Hear an interactive story and experience Shabbat in a new way, whether you are new to Jewish prayer or ready to help Jonathan lead! No RSVP necessary. Everyone welcome!
Rosh Chodesh Minyan: Once a month at the new moon with Rabbi Michael Lezak
Friday, May 10, 2:00 pm
What if prayer worked? How would our lives be different? How would the world be different? Interested in exploring? Carve out 30 minutes a month to develop a deeper prayer practice with Rabbi Michael Lezak at a Rosh Chodesh (new month) mincha (afternoon) Minyan. Contact Pete at pete@rodefsholom.org or 479.3441 to get email reminders.
SOCIAL ACTION
In the Bin for May: Children’s books
This month we are collecting new and used children’s books for Marin Book Exchange and Parent Services Project. Please bring your books by for our bin in the lobby the next time you visit the synagogue.
Volunteers Needed for Meals for the Homeless Program
Rodef Sholom is proud to be a part of this program for over twenty years, providing dinners to various shelters in Marin County. Sign up to receive e-mails about the needs each month and provide a part of a dinner to residents of Mill Street Shelter or Carmel Voyager house in San Rafael. To help out, please contact our volunteer coordinators Rachel Mercer at Rachel.Mercer@alc.com or 479.8554, or Debbie Thal at debrat26@gmail.com or 389.1125.
Jewish Family and Children’s Services Food Pantry
The JFCS barrel in the lobby collects food for Jewish Family and Children's Services food pantry program. We stock our pantry through the goodness of individuals in the Jewish community. Every time you go shopping, especially with your children, pick up some non-perishable items such as peanut butter, dried lentils or tuna and drop them off at the lobby. It is a wonderful opportunity to incorporate a mitzvah into your weekly routine.
Work Party at the MLK Jr. Academy Garden in Marin City, May 11, 11 am - 2 pm
We will join others from the larger community to support this garden that feeds the local community. Help us plant vegetables and weed the garden. Lots of hands-on fun for all ages. No experience necessary. Questions or to RSVP call Amelia at 845.8361 or agreen@smcsc.org at the MLK Garden.
CREATING COMMUNITY
REBAR (Rodef Enterprise for Building and Restoration)
Do you need your gutters cleaned? A group of volunteers has formed to help with small to medium jobs of home repair or restoration work for congregants who are unable to maintain their homes, either because of disability, loss of income or age.
Examples of the kinds of work REBAR could do include tasks like installing ADA-compliant doors or ramps for the disabled, installing smoke/CO detectors, minor plumbing repair, door repair or replacement, exterior downspout work, etc. - basically, one-day projects that do not require a permit or a licensed contractor. If you need help from our REBAR group, contact Moji at 479.3441.
Men’s Spiritual Journey Group
2nd Monday of each month May 13, 7:00 pm, Sanctuary
Come join this group, which has discussed such things in the past as life journeys, religious backgrounds, differing relationships to God, Torah portions, roles as Jewish fathers, husbands or men, tzedakah, and our roles in Jewish or secular organizations. This group meets monthly. For more information, please contact Mike Ralston (mikeralston@att.net), Steve Saxe (StevenSaxe@pacbell.net) or Michael Weinberger (mswonthemove@gmail.com).
Rodef Referrals
Third Wednesday of each month (except for this month, due to Shavuot)
May 22, 12 noon -1 pm, Social Hall
To help increase the visibility of your business while you make a positive economic impact, we are creating a new group called "Rodef Referrals". Since networking is a highly effective way to increase your customer base and business exposure, why not do business with people in our Rodef Sholom community? You may also have suggestions that could help other congregants. Start new relationships while strengthening bonds with people you already know. If you are a small business owner or work for a company or a non-profit, please join us and share your products and services with fellow members. There is no fee to participate. Bring your business cards, lunch and leads! If you have questions, please call Debi Geller at 378.6930.
The Lunch Bunch: Last Tuesday of each month, May 28, 12 noon
Join senior congregants for a wonderful monthly lunch to try a new restaurant, eat some exotic food and make new friends. In the past, the Lunch Bunch has been to restaurants such as Lanna Thai, Four Points Sheraton, La Toscana, San Rafael Joe's, and many others. Members of the group help to choose the restaurant and look for new places to discover. To join this fun event, call Pete at 479.3441.
The Mitzvah Kitchen
Chef Jeff Kirshbaum and his Mitzvah Kitchen crew will be baking challah and making meals for congregants who are facing trying times or who are celebrating a simcha. If you can occasionally deliver a meal on a Thursday afternoon between 2 - 5 pm, please contact Pete at 479.3441 or pete@rodefsholom.org to be added to our driver list! If you have a challah/artisan bread subscription or if you can deliver a challah, just stop by the synagogue lobby Thursday after 2 pm, and on Friday until 3 pm and before or after services. And please remember, it is important that challah be delivered no later than Shabbat.
The Mitzvah Kitchen needs your paper grocery bags
We use the bags for meal deliveries - if you have extras, please bring them and put them in the food barrels in the lobby!
Job Connections Network
Our Job Connection Network allows congregants to support each other during these difficult economic times. If you have an employment opportunity available--even a temporary one--please consider a Rodef Sholom congregant and let us know; If you are looking for employment, also let us know, and we will do our best to help you. Contact Moji at 479.3441 or moji@rodefsholom.org. If you are looking for other employment services, contact Jewish Vocational Services at 391.3600; and Norma Barnes, Coordinator of Marin Professionals, a program of the Employment Development Department, at 507.2114 or norma.barnes@edd.ca.gov.
Women of Rodef Sholom Gift Shop
Our gift shop has a lovely selection of Judaica merchandise, including tallitot, kippot, spice boxes, mezzuzot, and a variety of books, cards, jewelry, candles, tzedakah boxes, and other items to enrich a Jewish home. The Gift Shop is located in the Marin JCC lobby. It is operated by the Women of Rodef Sholom and a large percentage of the profit supports Rodef Sholom camperships - please shop here! For information, please call 444.8098.
Gift shop hours are:
• Monday - Thursday, 10 am - 3 pm;
• Fridays, 11:30 am - 2 pm and
• Most Sundays, 9:30 am - 12:30 pm
Candelabra Rental
Illuminate your next simcha with a WRS candelabra! Simply call our gift shop in the JCC to reserve one for a modest rental contribution of $18. Special candles are available for purchase, as well.
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. 