STUDY & TORAH
Torah with Soul, April 6, 13, 27 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, April 20 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 good 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, April 6 and 20, 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 (new moon) service with Rabbi Michael Lezak: Thursday, April 11, 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 April
This month we are collecting gently-used household items for Homeward Bound Please bring twin sheets, towels, cutlery, pots & pans, etc., 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.
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.
To become a REBAR volunteer, contact Mike Ralston at 472.5852. If you need help from our REBAR group, contact Moji at 479.3441.
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.
CREATING COMMUNITY
Men’s Spiritual Journey Group
2nd Monday of each month April 8, 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 at mikeralston@att.net, Steve Saxe at StevenSaxe@pacbell.net or Michael Weinberger at mswonthemove@gmail.com.
Women of Rodef Sholom Membership Social: Tuesday, April 9, 7 to 9 pm, JCC Lounge
Come meet your sisters and participate in a wonderful program that our own Sheri Wolpe Langer will lead. Come and relax, and get in touch with your inner self, what's really important to you, through a guided imagery experience. Then express your thoughts and feelings in a torn paper art project. No previous art experience necessary. When we finish, we will share our work within the group. We will schmooze for about a half hour but once the program begins nobody will be admitted once we start, as it would disturb the experience for the women already there. RSVPs are required so we will have the right amount of materials. Dessert and coffee will be served. RSVP to wrs@rodefsholom.org or Rhonda Daniels (leave a message on 302.4614).
Z’man L’Vatikim – Time for Seniors Luncheon: Counting the Omer with Irene, Wednesday, April 10 at 11:30 am, Social Hall
Our educator, Irene Resnikoff, will host this month’s lunch program. This program is free and co-sponsored by Women of Rodef Sholom. RSVP to Pete at 479.3441 by April 8 to insure that we have enough food.
Rodef Referrals, 3rd Wednesday of every month, April 17, 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, April 30, 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.
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.
The Lefferts Jewish Community Library
The Lefferts Jewish Community Library is closed temporarily.
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 Osher 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!
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 (call to be sure at 444.8098).
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. 