Jeremy Goldwasser Interview
01/09/2023 12:58:48 PM
Rodef Sholom is excited for Jeremy Goldwasser to bring his musical talents to our January 20, 2023 Shabbat services! Listen to him in person or virtually, as he accompanies Cantor David on flute, and read on to learn more about him.
How long have you been in the music world and playing...Read more...
Welcome (back) to REAL MHI!
12/22/2022 11:06:42 AM
The REAL Mental Health Initiative at Congregation Rodef Sholom began in 2014, born from Rabbi Stacy’s Kol Nidre sermon about mental health. For five years, REAL worked to build a foundation of connection, support, and education to support our mission of reducing stigma and isolation around mental...Read more...
Mitzvah Moments: Rachel deBaere
12/16/2022 10:16:57 AM
Tell us a little about yourself. I've been a member of Rodef Sholom for almost 60 years. I became a bat-mitzvah at Rodef in 1972, was confirmed and married there as well. My three children were blessed and named by Rabbi Michael Barenbaum. I...Read more...
Mitzvah Moments: Allison Sack
12/09/2022 11:29:30 AM
Rodef Sholom congregant Allison Sack has called Marin County home since childhood, and is currently raising her family in San Rafael. For this year's Mitzvah Day, Allison, her husband Andrew, and their two children (ages 6 and 4) volunteered to help in the Mill Valley bike path beautification project. They picked up weeds, cleared out trash, and cleaned up an area of Marin that is very important to the family. Read on to...Read more...
Meet Rose Oser, former congregant, book writer of Shoshana in December, a new queer Chanukah musical.
12/02/2022 11:09:43 AM
“I wanted to write a musical about what it means to be Jewish during the month of December,” said Rose Oser [she\they], book writer of Shoshana in December, a new queer Chanukah musical. Rose was a congregant at Rodef Sholom growing up, and reflects on how Rodef Sholom...Read more...
Mitzvah Moments: Meet Marc Rochman
12/02/2022 11:07:33 AM
This series shines a light on congregant stories who have participated in Rodef Sholom's Mitzvah Moments initiative, a series of community-strengthening opportunities open to all in our community. To learn more about how to get involved with Mitzvah Moments,...Read more...
A Premiere at S'lichot Service & Interview with Rodef Sholom member and composer, Julie Schnapf
09/15/2022 10:21:38 AM
C
an you please provide some background with the composition?
The composition is called "Let Us Speak of the Awesomeness.” That is a translation of the opening line of the 8th century poem Unetanetokef which is sung yearly by the...Read more...
Where Are They Now? A Quick Tour of Objects From Our Former Space
09/08/2022 01:02:33 PM
As Congregation Rodef Sholom’s physical space is transformed, we know many of you have been wondering where our beloved sacred items from the building have found a new home. In order to create space for our future home, these items are continuing their journey onto new lives. So many of you have contributed your time and attention to ensure that the items we love are well-cared for as they find new homes. These acts of tzedakah...Read more...
Meet Scott McKenna, the new Security Director of Congregation Rodef Sholom, Brandeis Marin & the Osher Marin JCC.
09/01/2022 10:07:57 AM
Rose Hornstein, Rodef Sholom's Communications and Marketing Assistant, chatted with our new campus Security Director, Scott McKenna.
What is your experience in the safety and security field? I was a police officer and juvenile detective...Read more...
Behind the Scenes for High Holy Days - Featuring Chef Jeff of our Mitzvah Kitchen
09/01/2022 10:07:57 AM
Jeff Kirshbaum, known around Rodef Sholom as Chef Jeff, has been baking challah for the Mitzvah Kitchen for about 15 years. Chef Jeff is a seasoned cook, and he created the Mitzvah Kitchen initially to bake and deliver challah for those in our community in need...Read more...
Connection and Family Define Donna Isralsky's B'nai Mitzvah
04/01/2022 10:07:04 AM
Donnas Isralsky believes that adulthood lends depth and an addded bonus - family! - to her upcoming B'nai Mitzvah. Mazel Tov to Donna and her son, Lucas Silberman, who will become B'nai Mitzvah on April 2.
What inspired you to become B’nai Mitzvah as an adult?
I grew up attending an orthodox synagogue and never really understood what we did and why. After joining and attending Rodef Sholom Services I...Read more...
Perspective and Experience: Adult B'nai Mitzvah
03/31/2022 01:45:09 PM
A trip to Israel as an architecture student at Cal Berkeley proved life-changing for Lauren Sugarman, leading her to delve into and reclaim her dormant Jewish roots. She will become B'nai Mitzvah Saturday, April 9.
What...Read more...
Song and the Power to Connect
02/11/2022 09:46:34 AM
“I live to sing,” said community song leader, Marv Zauderer from his home in San Rafael. Marv, a Rodef Sholom member of ten years, created the Kehilla Song Circle in October 2021. Marv leads the song circle, where all ages, expertise and voices are welcome. Marv’s mission for...Read more...
Entering Calm Through Havdalah
12/10/2021 12:03:38 PM
Havdalah, which means "separation" is a candle lighting ceremony that marks the conclusion of Shabbat. Shabbat begins on Friday night when three stars in the sky are seen. On Saturday Shabbat ends when three stars are also seen in the sky. We celebrate the end of the...Read more...
My Chanukah Blast at Rodef Sholom
11/30/2021 03:21:34 PM
Chocolate wrapped in gold foil, family, gift exchanges, cashmere scarves, and the yellow glow of candles, is what comes to mind when I think of Chanukah. I grew up attending Rodef Sholom as a child, lit the candles at Hillel in college,...Read more...
Sharon Lebell: Musician, Philosopher, Author, Congregant
11/16/2021 11:14:55 AM
Music brings people together, it bonds and celebrates life. I was fortunate enough to interview Sharon Lebell, musician, mother, philosopher, and Rodef Sholom congregant. We caught up on Zoom as she sat in her West Marin home...Read more...
Gardening, Community, and Judaism
10/20/2021 03:28:03 PM
There are few things in life that are more delectable than homegrown tomatoes, layered with freshly picked basil, drizzled in sweet balsamic vinegar, olive oil, and a dash of kosher salt (of course). Rodef Sholom congregant Nancy Mann knows this type of satisfaction quite...Read more...
Cindy Ostroff Drash (Rosh Hashanah day two 5782)
09/17/2021 12:19:57 PM
As I sat on the beach at Limantour last week, I thought, as I always do, about the first time I saw that beach more than 45 years ago when I moved here. The wide sweep of the beach, my favorite palette of colors, and the silence, all struck me then as they do now. It seems like nothing has changed. But we know that’s not true. Just driving there, we passed the Nicasio Reservoir, shockingly low in most places and completely dry in...Read more...
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Read more... Make a Positive Difference Easily - Bring Food to the Community Fridge
07/09/2021 02:50:02 PM
What is the community fridge?
The Community Fridges “are a mutual aid space where people take responsibility in caring for one another by redistributing resources. Fridges are set up and run by the people, for the...Read more...
Who Counts, and Who Does the Counting. Penny Lane's B'nai Mitzvah Drash
06/24/2021 11:46:41 AM
Shalom!
In my Torah portion, B’midbar, Numbers Chapter One, the Israelites are in transition between slavery in Egypt and being a free people in the Promised Land.
They are not yet a nation, and not in their Promised Land either. Moses & Aaron are commanded to take a census, to count the men able to fight.
In her commentary on the Book of Numbers called “Bewilderments”, Dr. Avivah Gottieb Zornberg tells us...Read more...
Covenantal: CRS Board President David Rudnick on Membership
06/03/2021 11:17:42 AM
I’ve never liked the word “membership" to describe why we financially support the synagogue. To me, membership connotes exclusivity, and a menu of services and benefits that your “dues” buy you. Being part of Congregation Rodef Sholom does not feel this way to me — it’s simply not consistent with our values and mission. Allow me to explain clearly what membership means in my eyes.
The relationship we...Read more...
Upcoming Racial Justice Events and Action
04/28/2021 01:04:43 PM
Reminder: CRS Legacy Circle Event (May 2, 2021)
04/23/2021 03:10:56 PM
A Message from CRS Pres. David Rudnick: An Update for the Past Presidents of Rodef Sholom
04/22/2021 03:26:14 PM
April 20, 2021
Dear Past Presidents,
One year ago, at the beginning of this period of personal and institutional uncertainty, I wrote to you with updates on a number of important fronts.
A year on, I wanted to reach out again before our virtual get together Wednesday night.
COVID Disruption, Innovation, and Planning
The arrival of the...Read more...
CONNECT: New Member System for Congregation Rodef Sholom
12/23/2020 04:33:50 PM
Igniting the Passion to Connect
Dear {{first_name}},
On Sunday, December 13, 2020 we welcomed hundreRead more...
An Important Message about the Rodef Sholom Building Project from Board President David Rudnick
12/11/2020 12:29:41 PM
I am delighted to report that Rodef Sholom has submitted our final application for Design Review toRead more...