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

Sukkot
Sukkot begins on Wednesday, October 12, and lasts for 7 nights, followed by Simchat Torah, on Wednesday, October 19, where we joyously dance with the Torah (last year we ended up in the parking lot!).

Thursday, October 13
10:30 am Festival services
Join us for Sukkot Festival services in the sanctuary.

Friday, October 14
6:15 pm, Shabbat services
7:30 pm, congregational Sukkot potluck dinner
We will be providing chicken, challah and dessert–please bring a non-dairy vegetable dish for 8 or salad for 8 to share. RSVP to Pete at 479.3441 or pete@rodefsholom.org so we know how much to order.

During dinner, share your immigration story in our sukkah
Sukkot is the holiday that commemorates our people’s migration through the desert.  Bring your plate and join Rabbi Lezak and other congregants in the sukkah to share your own family’s migration story.  Bring a picture (if possible) and details of who came here when, and most important, why.

Novato Neighborhood Sukkot Party, hosted by Susan and George Cohen
Saturday, October 15, 7:30 to 9 pm
Bring your dessert and join your Novato neighbors and celebrate Sukkot together. To RSVP and get directions, call Susan or George at 892.4216 or e-mail susncohen@aol.com.

Shabbat Yeladim in our sukkah
Saturday, October 15, 9:30 to 10:15 am
Come to the launch of our new Saturday morning Shabbat service designed for a wider age range than our usual Tot Shabbat (more like zero to 7 or 8 rather than just pre-schoolers).   Enjoy snacks and stories in the sukkah with the fabulous Jonathan Bayer! Parents and grandparents and (even really little) kids welcome.

Women of Rodef Sholom Lunch in the Sukkah
Saturday, October 15, 12 noon to 2:30 pm
Graciously opening her home and beautiful sukkah for the fifth annual WRS potluck dairy lunch and learning, Gail Giacomini invites WRS members to gather for a wonderful afternoon of holiday study, lively conversation and delicious food. RSVP to Leslie Laskin-Reese at 336.5203 or e-mail wrs@rodefsholom.org, subject line: Sukkot.  Please contact Ruth Malkin at 459.2882 if you need help with a ride to this event.

Sukkah and Storytelling with Rabbi Stacy Friedman in the sukkah
Wednesday, October 19, 11:30 am
Zman L’Vatikim: Time for Seniors is offered 4 times a year and is co-sponsored by the Women of Rodef Sholom.  RSVP to Pete at 479.3441 or pete@rodefsholom.org to make sure we have enough food for lunch.

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Simchat Torah
The High Holy Days come to a close with a bang!
Wednesday, October 19 5:30 learning; 6:30 pm services and dancing

Come early and enlighten your eyes with a little Torah and then celebrate with a little dancing!  After taking all of the chairs out of our sanctuary to create a huge dance floor, our very own Rodef Sholom musicians will provide raucous and energetic music for dancing with our Torahs!  This holiday is one of the highlights of the Jewish calendar--plan to come with your whole family.

Shemini Atzeret
Thursday, October 20, 10:30 am, Yizkor services
One of four special services throughout the year, Yizkor is a special time to remember and honor our loved ones, who have died.

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Women of Rodef Sholom invites you to send your Rosh Hashanah greetings to your synagogue family which will be published on the congregational website. Your generous donation will benefit Sisterhood’s programs, activities and beneficiaries throughout the year.  Pick up a form in our lobby the next time you stop by!

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We are seeking people interested in publicly sharing a 2-3 minute personal story during one of our High Holy Day services—both Civic Center and Sanctuary services. 

Here are some themes/questions that we would like people to consider: 

• What does it mean to be godly? Talk about a time in this past year when you manifested godliness in your actions, and maybe about a time when you failed to do so.
• Talk about how your life might be different if you could remember there are divine sparks in you, in everyone else, and in everything. Is there something you could do differently next year to remember this more often?
• Talk about a time this past year when you received or witnessed a "random" act of kindness. If you were surprised, why do you suppose that was your reaction? If you were inspired, how might that change your behavior in the future?
• Based on the mistakes you made this past year, if your year were reduced to a headline in tomorrow's newspaper, how might it read? Based on the good you did this past year, if your year were to be reduced to a headline in tomorrow's newspaper, how might it read?
• Write a letter to someone who loves and/or supports you. Thank the person for all the kindnesses she or he did for you this past year, and request forgiveness for any pain you may have caused her or him during the past year. 

If you are interested, or even if you only think you might be interested, please contact Lisa Canin at hofmoan@aol.com. Planning for these services is in full swing and we hope to identify all of our storytellers within the next two to three weeks.  We will try our best to accommodate everyone who responds.

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Interested in chanting Torah? Perhaps you have thought about it, but felt apprehensive. Perhaps you thought that your Hebrew was too rusty. Perhaps you thought that chanting Torah was only for people who know trope by heart. Well, before you decide you can’t do it, talk to Lisa Newmark, who is helping to organize our High Holy Day Sanctuary Services, and maybe this is the right time for you. Lisa can be reached at lrnewmark@aol.com.

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