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

Study & Torah 

(Please note: Tot Shabbat is going to resume in October 6, not September) 

Torah with Soul
Shabbat mornings, 9:15 am*, Inner Conference Room
Join us for soul-lifting Torah for learners of all levels and ages. 

*Note: on the 3rd Saturday of the month, September 15, 8:30 am, 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. 

Social Action

In the bin for September – Food!
This month, we are collecting non-perishable food items for the JFCS and the Food Bank. Please bring some by for our bins in the lobby the next time you visit the synagogue.   Remember to check expiration dates and make sure that packages are unopened!

Volunteers needed for Meals for the Homeless program
Rodef Sholom has been 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. 

Creating Community 

Please note that Shulchan Shabbat - our First Friday Congregational Dinner – will resume in September. 

Men’s Spiritual Journey Group
2nd Monday of each month (September 10) 7:30 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, contact Michael Weinberger at 461.9731, Mike Ralston at 472.5852 or  Steve Saxe at 924.2423. 

The Lunch Bunch
Last Tuesday of each month (September 25), 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 volunteer crew bake challah and cook “Mitzvah” meals every Thursday for congregants facing times of need or celebrating a simcha. Volunteers are needed to help deliver these challot and meals.  If you can deliver a meal, please contact Pete in advance, at 479.3441 or pete@rodefsholom.org; If you can deliver challah before the end of Shabbat, just come by the lobby on Thursday afternoon after 2 pm or any time on Friday to pick them up.  

Challah Subscriptions & Artisan Bread Club
The Fall 2012 cycle of bread subscriptions will run from September 6 – November 15, 2012. There will be no bread available for the week of October 18th. This totals 10 weeks of bread loaves in the fall subscription series. 

As usual, Chef Jeff is baking challahs.  Chef Jeff is also baking artisan loaves each week. These loaves include corned rye, country French, sourdough cheese and more. Here are the prices for the next series:

• Challah only – 10 loaves @$4.00 = $40.00
• Artisan only – 10 loaves @$5.00 = $50.00
• Special savings:  Combo Subscription (10 loaves each challah & artisan) = $70.00 

Subscription information
Please contact Pete and let him know if you would like to continue or restart a subscription or take advantage of the Combo Subscription. Pete can be reached at 479.3441 or pete@rodefsholom.org. 

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.  

Lefferts Jewish Community Library
The Lefferts Jewish Community Library is open most Sundays from 10 am – 1 pm. Stop by to borrow books, magazines, and DVDs on Jewish themes. We have a growing collection of new books and classics, as well as a children’s section. For more information, call 444.8159, or email lefferts.library@gmail.com. 

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. Now, if you can't find exactly what you want, you can still support the Gift Shop by shopping online! Just click here!

We start our regular hours after September 5:

• Monday - Thursday, 10:00 am - 3:00 pm;
• Fridays, 11:30 am - 2:00 pm; and
• most Sundays, 10:00 am - 12:30 pm (call first to be sure). 

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! For information, please call 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.

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We received this moving thank you from Little Wishes for the children’s CDs and DVDs you brought in for our In the Bin program: 

From Laura Euphrat, R.N., President:

Hi Moji-

That was the best and most useful donation we have gotten in awhile! I brought the DVDs to work a couple of weeks ago and we just happened to have a very high census (many patients). There were many kids requesting movies and it made them so happy to be able to pick out of the bag.  One child was here with a new diagnosis of cancer and it completely distracted him during his chemotherapy. Another child who has cystic fibrosis and developmentally delayed could be heard laughing all day because he watched Sponge Bob over and over again. One family in particular -- a little boy aged 3 -- now in hospice for end-stage cancer- was the biggest help comforting. In fact, I thought that you may want to call Hospice by the Bay if you are looking for more ideas because every once in awhile they get children who may be in particular need. Anyways, yes, please keep us in mind for more DVDs and thanks a million to everyone who was so generous and giving. It made a huge difference! 

Gratefully, Laura

Little Wishes, founded by nurses and staffed by volunteers, grants wishes of limited dollar amounts but of significant value to seriously ill children during their hospitalization. These children’s treatments can often be rigorous, painful, and the effects lasting – both physically and mentally. The granting of a modest wish greatly eases hospitalized children’s pain and serves to improve their spirits and outlook during their hospitalization. For more information, go to www.LittleWishes.org and check out all the awesome things they do!

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Study & Torah 

Torah with Soul
Shabbat mornings, 9:15 am*, Inner Conference Room
Join us for soul-lifting Torah for learners of all levels and ages. 

*Note: on the 3rd Saturday of the month, August 18, 8:30 am, 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 479.3441 or pete@rodefsholom.org for the location of this month’s trailhead. If it’s raining, we’ll meet in the ICR at our normal time. 

Please note: There is no Tot Shabbat for July or August

Social Action

In the bin for August – School supplies
This month, we are collecting school supplies for distribution to local children in need. Please bring some by for our bins in the lobby the next time you visit the synagogue. 

Volunteers needed for Meals for the Homeless program
Rodef Sholom has been 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
Hard as it is to believe, even in Marin County, there are people who can't put food on the table.   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. 

A few important reminders:

• Please check expiration dates before donating
• Only unopened packages, boxes, and jars, please 
• Others items such as books or clothing can be accepted at JFCS, but not in our barrels 

Creating Community

Please note that Shulchan Shabbat - our First Friday Congregational Dinner – will resume in September. 

Men’s Spiritual Journey
2nd Monday of each month (August 13) 7:30 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, contact Mike Ralston at mikeralston@att.net.

The Lunch Bunch Last
Tuesday of each month (August 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 volunteer crew bake challah and cook “Mitzvah” meals every Thursday for congregants facing times of need or celebrating a simcha. Volunteers are needed to help deliver these challot and meals. If you can deliver a meal, please contact Pete in advance, at 479.3441 or pete@rodefsholom.org; If you can deliver challah before the end of Shabbat, just come by the lobby on Thursday afternoon after 2 pm or any time on Friday to pick them up. 

Challah Subscriptions
How would you like to take home a mouth-watering loaf of challah, straight from our Mitzvah Kitchen ovens, every Shabbat?  Consider a challah subscription! 

Artisan Bread Club
Chef Jeff Kirshbaum and his Mitzvah Kitchen team have been churning out 60+ challot and 18 hot meals for our congregants in deepest need weekly for many years now. You've tasted his challot.   Now try his weekly artisan creations, such as French country, whole wheat, rye, semolina, rosemary olive, and more, by subscribing to the Mitzvah Kitchen's new Artisan Bread Club. Sign up, and every Thursday afternoon, a fresh hand-baked loaf of artisan bread will be waiting for you at the temple. 

Subscription information
All Mitzvah Kitchen subscription money goes to support youth education at Rodef Sholom. Subscription rates for eight weeks: $32 challah, $40/artisan loaf, or a special price of $56/both artisan and challah. Treat your tummy right. Contact Pete at 479.3441 or pete@rodefsholom.org for more information and to subscribe. 

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.

Lefferts Jewish Community Library Summer Schedule
The Lefferts Jewish Community Library will reopen on Sunday, August 19 and 26, 10 am – 1 pm.  Stop by to borrow books, magazines, and DVDs on Jewish themes. We have a growing collection of new books and classics, as well as a children’s section. For more information, call 444.8159, or email lefferts.library@gmail.com. 

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.  Now, if you can't find exactly what you want, you can still support the Gift Shop by shopping online! Just click here!

Summer hours are:

• Monday - Thursday, 10 am - 1 pm; and
• Friday, 11:30 am - 2:00 pm. 

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!  For information, please call 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.

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Apply to be a madrich and get valuable community service hours, too

Before you scatter to all corners of the planet for the summer, we want to remind you that you should apply to be a madrich(a) for next year's Religious School children. Why? 

Here are some really good reasons:

• be a mentor to a little kid
• build your leadership skills
• earn valuable community service hours
• add to your job and college resume
• get letters of recommendation from your supervisors, and
• most importantly, do a mitzvah and pass on your Judaism to the next generation! 

Please fill it out an application (there’s a link on the front page of our website, www.rodefsholom.org ) and return it to Claire before you go away. 

Kol tuv/All our best,
Claire Mikowski & Irene Resnikoff

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Study & Torah (Please note: There is no Tot Shabbat for July or August) 

Torah with Soul
Shabbat mornings, 9:15 am*, Inner Conference Room
Join us for soul-lifting Torah for learners of all levels and ages.

*Note: on the 3rd Saturday of the month, July 21, 8:30 am, 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 479.3441 or pete@rodefsholom.org for the location of this month’s trailhead. If it’s raining, we’ll meet in the ICR at our normal time. 

Social Action

In the bin for July – Children’s clothing and shoes
This month, we are collecting gently used or new children’s clothing and shoes for Image for Success. Image for Success is a volunteer, non-profit organization that provides complimentary wardrobes to men, and women and children transitioning to a life of self-reliance. Please bring some by for our bins in the lobby the next time you visit the synagogue.

Volunteers needed for Meals for the Homeless program
Rodef Sholom has been 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
Hard as it is to believe, even in Marin County, there are people who can't put food on the table. 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

Our First Friday Congregational Dinner is on hiatus for the summer months - the dinners will resume in September 2012. 

The Lunch Bunch
Last Tuesday of each month (July 31), 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 volunteer crew bake challah and cook “Mitzvah” meals every Thursday for congregants facing times of need or celebrating a simcha. Volunteers are needed to help deliver these challot and meals. If you can deliver a meal, please contact Pete in advance, at 479.3441 or pete@rodefsholom.org; if you can deliver challah before the end of Shabbat, just come by the lobby on Thursday afternoon after 2 pm or any time on Friday to pick them up. 

Challah Subscriptions
How would you like to take home a mouth-watering loaf of challah, straight from our Mitzvah Kitchen ovens, every Shabbat?  Consider a challah subscription! 

Artisan Bread Club
Chef Jeff Kirshbaum and his Mitzvah Kitchen team have been churning out 60+ challot and 18 hot meals for our congregants in deepest need weekly for many years now. You've tasted his challot. Now try his weekly artisan creations, such as French country, whole wheat, rye, semolina, rosemary olive, and more, by subscribing to the Mitzvah Kitchen's new Artisan Bread Club. Sign up, and every Thursday afternoon, a fresh hand-baked loaf of artisan bread will be waiting for you at the temple. 

Subscription information
All Mitzvah Kitchen subscription money goes to support youth education at Rodef Sholom. Subscription rates for ten weeks: $40 challah, $50/artisan loaf, or a special price of $70/both artisan and challah. Treat your tummy right. Contact Pete at 479.3441 or pete@rodefsholom.org for more information and to subscribe. 

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. 

Lefferts Jewish Community Library Summer Schedule
This month, Lefferts Jewish Community Library will be open on Sunday, July 8, from 10 am – 1 pm, and then closed through August 12. Stop by this weekend or next, to borrow books, magazines, and DVDs on Jewish themes. We have a growing collection of new books and classics, as well as a children’s section. For more information, call 444.8159, or email lefferts.library@gmail.com. 

Women of Rodef Sholom Gift Shop
Our gift shop has a lovely selection of Judaica merchandise, including tallit, kippot, spice boxes, mezzuzot, and a variety of books, cards, jewelry, candles, tzedakah boxes, and other items to enrich a Jewish home. Now, if you can't find exactly what you want, you can still support the Gift Shop by shopping online! Just click here! 

Summer hours, June 18 through September 3:

• 10:00 am – 1:00 pm:  Monday through Thursday
• 11:30 am – 2:00 pm:   Friday
• Closed Sundays

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.

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.

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