 In This Issue |
Facebook/Twitter
Come on, "like" and "follow" us.
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Hearing Enhancement Devices
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.
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Union Field Cemetery
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. |
Bereavement Notices
Click here if you would like to be informed of deaths in our community.
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A Community Conversation on Race and (In)Justice
In his most famous speech, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. shared his dream that his "four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character." Events in recent weeks have shown us that we are still far from making that dream a reality. From Ferguson, MO to our own beloved city, tensions and emotions are running high, and we are engaged in important--but challenging--conversations about the justice system and race in America. It is a complicated conversation, but one that is vital to our vision of a just world and a just society.
We believe that, as a Jewish community, this is a conversation we need to have-in our homes and in our synagogue. We know the price of silence all too well. As we prepare to honor Dr. King's life, we want to invite you to a conversation on race, privilege, fairness, and our responsibility as Jews. Facilitated by me and featuring voices from within the congregation, we want to offer the chance to share our experiences, our questions, and our hopes in a safe space, guided by Jewish values. On Tuesday, January 13th at 6:00PM, come share your voice, and listen to those of your fellow congregants.
I hope you'll join us.
Rabbi Robert N. Levine and the Clergy and Educators of Congregation Rodeph Sholom
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Shir Chadash
The second Erev Shabbat of the month at Rodeph Sholom is Shir Chadash, a service comprised largely of song. The Shir Chadash service provides a meaningful worship opportunity for congregants and visitors of all ages - from seniors, to children and everyone in between!
For more information, please contact: info@crsnyc.org |
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Religious School Shabbat Dinner
Friday, January 9th from 7:00-9:00PM
Relax and enjoy some family and adult schmooze time with our Religious School community! Activities for kids of all ages! Suggested donation is $18 per person over the age of 6.
To RSVP or for more information, please contact: agraber@crsnyc.org or call (646) 454-3082
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Membership Pre-Neg
Congregational "Pre-neg" - like an oneg, but before services! Please join us in the CRS lobby for a casual and fun way to meet others in the community, enjoy some wine and cheese, and welcome Shabbat together. Erev Shabbat Services immediately following at 6:00PM.
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Erev Shabbat Service
Honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Friday, January 16th at 6:00PM
Join us as we honor the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Building on our community conversation on race and (in)justice, Erika Davis, a blogger who writes about the intersections of race, racism, religion and sexual orientation on her blog, Black, Gay and Jewish will speak about the Black Lives Matter movement and the Jewish community. Read more...
For more information, please contact: info@crsnyc.org
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Lunch Together
"Life in Stills"
Remaining dates: Tuesdays, February 10; March 10; April 14; May 19; June 9
Miriam Weissenstein never imagined that she would be facing a new chapter in her life, but when The Photo House - her late husband Rudi's life work - was destined for demolition, she knew she needed help. Read more... |
Dress British, Pray Yiddish
Led by Rabbi David Ellenson
The challenge of being authentically Jewish and authentically American played itself out in all aspects of Jewish life, but perhaps particularly through the pages of its prayerbooks. What words we say - and don't say - are statements of belief, not only theological, but political and historical as well. Read more...
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Meyer W. Nathan's Award Service & Oneg
Friday, January 23rd from 7:30-9:00PM
Please join us as we honor Mrs. Sarah Brooks and Mrs. Rita Lichtenstein for their years of service to the community.
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Inspiring Women of the Congregation
Once a year our Sisterhood comes together to celebrate the inspiring women who are part of our congregation. Read more...
Join us beforehand for our Shabbat Morning Chapel service honoring our Brotherhood and Sisterhood. Service begins at 10:15AM.
For more information, please contact: sisterhood@crsnyc.org or call (646) 454-3101
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CRS Theater Auditions
This year's production will be The Drowsy Chaperone: A Musical Within a Comedy. Music & Lyrics by Lisa Lambert and Greg Morrison and Book by Bob Martin and Don McKellar! Read more...
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Brotherhood Annual Film Festival
January 31st
Black Over White - Directed by Tomer Heymann, 2007 Read more... February 6th Little White Lie - Directed by Lacey Schwartz and James Adolphus, 2014 Read more... Screenings take place following Shabbat services. To RSVP and for more information, please contact: brotherhood@crsnyc.org or call (646) 454-3102
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SAVE THE DATE
Cycle for Survival:
Join the Rodeph Sholom Riders!
Sunday, March 8th
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.)
if you are interested in participating
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PJ Library
Sign up and share the fun of reading!
Congregation Rodeph Sholom and PJ Library invite you to join in the fun of reading with FREE Jewish children's books and music. Click here to sign up or to receive more information. |
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CRS Social Action Initiative:
E-Advocacy
January E-Advocacy - Support Child Nutrition Reauthorization: According to the USDA, more than 49 million Americans live in food insecure households - including 15.8 children who rely on government programs to meet their nutrition needs. These children are not only hungry, but also at increased risk of developmental and health problems. The Child Nutrition and WIC Reauthorization Act will ensure that children receive healthy meals at home and at school. As Jews, the Torah commands us to feed the hungry: "And when you reap the harvest of your land, you shall not reap all the way to the edges of your field, or gather the gleanings of your harvest; you shall leave them for the poor and the stranger" (Leviticus 23:22). Urge your senators and representatives to support the Child Nutrition and WIC Reauthorization Act by clicking here.
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).
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CRS Homeless Shelter
Brrrrrr - it's cold out there! With the winter months upon us, it is even more important that we make sure we have volunteers to welcome guests to our CRS Homeless Shelter Monday - Friday to ensure that the 8 men who stay with us have a warm place to sleep. We have many openings in February and invite you to sign up for a night. Bring a friend, volunteer as a family, or contact Rabbi Meyer at rabbimeyer@crsnyc.org to be matched up with a veteran volunteer if it's your first time. To sign up, visit www.crsnyc.volunteerhub.com. Community service hours available.
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St. Xavier's Soup Kitchen
Sunday, January 11th 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.
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| Ongoing Adult Learning and Life |
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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!
For more information, please contact:
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Book Club
Thursday, January 8th* at 7:00PM
Next date: Thursday, February 5th
We are reading Little Failure by Gary Shteyngart. Next month we are reading Call It Sleep by Henry Roth.
To RSVP or for more information, please contact: bookgroup@crsnyc.org
*New Date
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Jewish Basics
Shabbat and the Festivals
Wednesday, January 14th from 7:00-8:30PM
Remaining dates: Wednesdays, January 21, 28; February 4, 11, 18, 25
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
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Personal and Spiritual Pathways
Through The Psalms
With Rabbi Jacqueline Ellenson
Friday, January 16th from 12:00-1:30PM
Remaining dates: Fridays, February 20; March 20; April 17; May 29
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
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How to Raise a Mentsch
The Parenting Discussion Group
Led by Rabbi Spratt, Rabbi Laufer,
and RSS Parent, Rabbi Erica Gerson
Wednesday, January 21st from 8:45-10:00AM
Remaining dates: Wednesdays, February 25; March 25; April 22; May 6
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
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Therapists' Study Group
Tuesday, February 3rd from 10:30-11:30AM
Remaining dates: Tuesdays, March 3; May 5
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 more information contact Ruth F. Kobrin, LMSW at 646-454-3180
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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
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Yom Kippur Appeal 5775/2014
FORGOT SOMETHING FROM 2014?
Yes, we are still accepting donations to the 2014 Yom Kippur Appeal. There is still time to have your name included on the insert in the Spring Chronicle--and your participation will be greatly appreciated. Every gift supplements the operating budget, strengthening our ability to present a superb array of activities and services for members of every age and allowing us to more comfortably extend membership to families who could not otherwise afford to belong.
Click here to make an online donation or call the Development Department at (646) 454-3050
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Margulies Fund Scholarship
Are you planning to enroll in a long-term program in Israel between now and June, 2015? A limited amount of Scholarship money is available to those who celebrated their Bar/Bat Mitzvah at CRS, were confirmed at CRS, or graduated from Rodeph Sholom School. The terms of the Margulies Fund stipulate that course work must be at a recognized institution of higher learning or an institution connected with the Reform movement, such as NFTY-EIE summer session. Course work should include the history of the Zionist movement and the importance to Jews of the State of Israel in the modern world. The recipient of a Margulies Scholarship will agree to a service commitment at Rodeph Sholom upon completion of his/her program.
To inquire about a scholarship, please contact Deborah Siegel at dsiegel@crsnyc.org or (646) 454-3050
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