Hearing enhancement devices are available during services at the security desk. In addition, there is a Hearing Loop in the Schafler Forum. Please switch hearing aid to T-coil.

Come visit and learn more about Rodeph Sholom's historic Union Field Cemetery. Discounted fees are available for CRS members. For more information, call our knowledgeable staff at 718-366-3748.

Why Be Good?

The Journey Towards a Life of Meaning

Led by Rabbi Robert N. Levine, D.D.
 

The High Holy Days underscore the urgency to live a good life, to be proud of who we are and what we do.  But why?! Join Rabbi Levine for a personal and honest exploration of mortality, meaning, legacy, and the world beyond our own.
 

To register or for more information, please contact: egallagher@crsnyc.org or 645-454-3029

PJ Library

Sign up and share the fun of reading!

CRS Social Action Initiative:

E-Advocacy 

December E-Advocacy: Expand Gun Violence Protections for Domestic Abuse Victims  

Most female murder victims are killed by someone with whom they have had an intimate relationship (i.e., a spouse, ex-spouse, boyfriend or former boyfriend).  Currently, the law bars convicted domestic abusers from owning guns but does not apply to dating partners.  In addition, even though a high percentage of women murdered by an intimate partner were stalked in the year preceding their death, current law does not bar convicted stalkers from possessing guns.  The purpose of Protecting Domestic Violence and Stalking Victims Act (S.1290) is to close these loopholes.  Torah expressly commands that we "do not stand idly by while [our] neighbor's blood is shed" (Leviticus 16:19).  Click here  to let Senators Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand know that this bill resonates with our Jewish values and urge them to continue to take a stand against gun and domestic violence and stalking by cosponsoring the Act.  You are just two clicks and one minute away from making a difference.

On-going E-Advocacy: Sometimes e-advocacy opportunities arise that need quick action; legislative action will occur prior to our ability to inform you in our next monthly e-blast.  If you would like to receive notification of these pressing e-advocacy issues, 

click here  to opt in to a special email action list.  You will receive e-advocacy email alerts on an "as needed" basis (on average twice a month - though sometimes a little more and other times a little less, as needs fluctuate). 

CRS Homeless Shelter 

New Year Family Challenge 

Do a mitzvah and have a family slumber party at the synagogue at the same time!  With January 1st just 31 days away, we are kicking off the CRS Homeless Shelter New Year Family Challenge.  We challenge 31 families to sign up to volunteer for a night in our CRS Shelter on an open date in December or January to kick off the New Year by doing one of the highest mitzvot there is: providing shelter to those in need.  Bring your PJs and come ready to meet our wonderful shelter guests for some conversation and camaraderie.  Community service hours available (email Rabbi Meyer).  Click here to take the CRS Homeless Shelter New Year Family Challenge and sign up for a night in December or January. 

St. Xavier's Soup Kitchen

Sunday, December 14th from 11:45AM-3:30PM

Help prepare and serve meals to visitors at the St. Xavier's Soup Kitchen in Chelsea with your fellow CRS congregants.  All volunteers must be over the age of 14, and children under the age of 17 must be accompanied by an adult.  Sign up to volunteer on VolunteerHub.

SAVE THE DATE

Cycle for Survival: 

Join the Rodeph Sholom Riders! 

Sunday, March 8th, 2015

Cycle for Survival is a national indoor cycling event raising money for rare cancer research at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. To date, Cycle for Survival has raised over $52.8 million dollars; 100% of the money raised is directly allocated to research at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center within six months of the events. This year, Rodeph Sholom is riding...and we want you to ride with us. On Sunday, March 8, 2015, join Rabbi Laufer and the Rodeph Sholom Riders (accepting suggestions for a team name, too!) for an afternoon of high-energy indoor cycling for a lifesaving cause.  You can pedal hard or hardly pedal-no experience necessary! (But you must be 18 to participate.) Contact Rabbi Laufer if you are interested in participating; more details to come.

CRS Walking Group

Tuesdays at 9:15AM (weather permitting)

Meet at CRS

Come walk with us to stay healthy and fit, make new friends or spend time with old ones.  

This group is spearheaded by RSS parents, CRS congregants, and Rabbi Kaye.  All are welcome!

Therapists' Study Group

Tuesday, December 2nd from 10:30-11:30AM 

This group will provide an opportunity to discuss ethical and clinical issues unique to therapeutic work, focusing on how Jewish insights and perspectives might be relevant to your practice.   

For additional information contact Ruth F. Kobrin, LMSW at 646-454-3180

Jewish Basics

Wednesday, December 3rd from 7:00-8:30PM 

Remaining 2014 dates: Wednesday, December 10

An introduction to basic Jewish culture, ritual, and living. This course is open to all who want the opportunity to take a closer look at why and how Jewish rituals have developed and how these rituals create meaning in our lives.

To register or for more information, please contact: adulted@crsnyc.org or 646-454-3029

Book Club

Thursday, December 4th at 7:00PM

Next date: Thursday, January 8th (New date!) 

We are reading A Replacement Life by Boris Fishman. Next month we are reading Little Failure by Gary Shteyngart. 

Read More...

To RSVP or for more information, please contact: bookgroup@crsnyc.org

How to Raise a Mentsch

The Parenting Discussion Group

Led by Rabbi Spratt, Rabbi Laufer, 

and RSS Parent, Rabbi Erica Gerson

Wednesday, December 10th from 8:45-10:00AM 

Whether you're thinking about how to bring Shabbat (and other Jewish holidays) to life in your home, or what a gratitude practice with your kids might look like-this monthly group offers an opportunity to ask the big, small, practical, and theoretical questions surrounding parenting in an intimate environment.

To register or for more information, please contact: adulted@crsnyc.org or 646-454-3029

Mah Jongg

Thursday, December 11th from 1:00-4:00PM

Are you ready to play?  Do you want to learn?  Whether you're an expert or a novice, come enjoy a few hours of camaraderie (and the "bridge mix")!  Bring your own cards, or purchase them when you arrive.

To RSVP or for more information, please contact: mahjongg@crsnyc.org 

Personal and Spiritual Pathways 

Through The Psalms

With Rabbi Jacqueline Ellenson

Friday, December 19th from 12:00-1:30PM

The Book of Psalms contains expressions of all human experience and multiple manifestations of the ancient search for God's presence. Through the study of Psalms, we will gather for a personal and participatory learning experience, supplemented by poetry and song. 

To RSVP or for more information, please contact: adulted@crsnyc.org or call 646-454-3029

 Hebrew Classes

Taught by Sara Rosen 

Class Levels:

• Beginning Hebrew Reading 
• Continuing Hebrew Reading 
• Beginning/Continuing Modern Hebrew 

Dates and times vary by level.  

To register or for more information (including dates and times), please contact: adulted@crsnyc.org 

or call 646-454-3029

Yom Kippur Appeal 5775/2014

It's almost the end of the year -- have you made your 2014 Appeal gift yet?

The last day for donations to qualify for a 2014 tax credit is December 31st.  The Development Department will be closed beginning December 24th at 2 PM through January 4th but you may click here to make a secure online donation before midnight on the 31st or send a check, made payable to Congregation Rodeph Sholom, and postmarked by December 31st. 

Your participation in the Appeal - no matter the amount - will be very much appreciated. All gifts to the Appeal will be listed in the spring Chronicle

To make an automatic recurring gift or for any questions, please contact: 646-454-3052