In This Issue
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.

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.
February 3, 2015
Community Engagement
Brotherhood Annual Film Festival

Friday, February 6th following Erev Shabbat Services

 

Little White Lie - Directed by Lacey Schwartz and James Adolphus, 2014 Read more...

 

To RSVP or for more information, please contact: [email protected] or 646-454-3102
Lunch Together 
"Look What a Wonder"

Remaining dates: Tuesdays, March 10; April 14; May 19; June 9

Look What A Wonder is a gospel musical about slavery that was featured in the New York Music Theater Festival a few years ago and has been reformatted into a one hour radio play based on the Denmark Vesey Slave Conspiracy of 1822. Read more...

 

To RSVP or for more information, please contact: [email protected] or 646-454-3039

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...

To RSVP and for more information, please contact: [email protected]
Va'Yinafash

Friday, February 13th from 4:15-5:30PM


Join us and prepare for your Shabbat--and other days--with sessions on mindfulness, using meditation, and focused text study, as well as other opportunities to stop, take a deep breath, and reflect on the life you are living.

To RSVP or for more information, please contact: [email protected] or 646-454-3045
Chamber Music


Sephardic melodies with Paul Woodiel, violin; Steve Gibb, guitar and oud; Eliot Bailen, cello and guitar; Susan Rotholz, flute and vocals; Daniel Bailen, bass; and David Bailen, drums.  Read more...

To RSVP or for more information, please contact: [email protected]
History of the State of Israel 
From 1948 to the Present
Led by Michael Stanislawski

Tuesday, February 24 from 7:00-9:00PM
Remaining dates: Tuesdays, March 3, 10, 17

This course will introduce participants to the complex and fascinating history of the State of Israel from its founding to the present. It will focus as much on the internal social, political, and religious history of Israel as on its foreign policy, wars, and the ongoing conflict. Read more...

To RSVP and for more information, please contact: [email protected]

Saturday, February 28th
Shireinu Purim Service at 11:00AM

Wednesday, March 4th 
Purim B'Yachad Family Experience from 4:30-5:00PM 
with special CRuSTY Purim Carnival time from 5:00-5:30PM (for families with children 0-7 year olds)

Megillah Reading for adults and families 2nd grade and up from 4:45-5:30PM 

CRuSTY Purim Carnival for all ages from 5:30-7:00PM 

Brotherhood Adult Purim Experience at  7:30PM

Thursday, March 5th 
Congregational Purim Megillah Reading at 10:15AM
Shabbat Study Series | The Festival Megillot
Purim | Esther

The Festival Megillot - selected readings from our Writings that accompany our holidays - offer profound lessons on life, love, relationships, and experiencing "the seasons." Join us for Shabbat afternoon comestibles, camaraderie, and conversation about these texts. No prior knowledge necessary, just interest!
 
To RSVP or for more information, please contact:

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.)

Contact Rabbi Laufer now 
if you are interested in participating

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.
Tikkun Olam

CRS Social Action Initiative:

E-Advocacy 

 

February E-Advocacy - Urge Congress to Stop Racial Profiling: Continuing our community's conversation last month on race and (in)justice, you have the chance to take a step to stem the tide against institutional racism by urging your Congressional Representative to co-sponsor the End Racial Profiling Act. Racial profiling is wrong because it is a discriminatory practice based upon negative stereotypes. It also erodes faith in a fair and impartial criminal justice system and diverts resources from pursuing actual crimes.  Judaism teaches us that all of God's children are created b'tzelem Elohim - "in the image of God" (Genesis 1:27).  All citizens are entitled to equal treatment under the law.  Click here to contact your representative. 

 

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 

 

With winter in full swing and snow in the air, it is even more important that we make sure we have volunteers to welcome guests to our CRS Homeless Shelter, Monday through Friday, to ensure that the 8 men who stay with us have a warm place to sleep.  We still have many openings in February, as well as March through June, and invite you to sign up for a night.  Bring a friend, volunteer as a family, or contact [email protected] to be matched up with a veteran volunteer if it's your first time, or for additional information. To sign up, visit www.crsnyc.volunteerhub.com. Community service hours available.

St. Xavier's Soup Kitchen

 

Sunday, February 8th, 2015 from 11:45AM-3:30PM

8 volunteers needed!  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.  To volunteer, sign up on VolunteerHub.
Ongoing Adult Learning and Life

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 and CRS congregants.  All are welcome!

 

For more information, please contact:

Jewish Basics

Shabbat and the Festivals 

 

Wednesday, February 4th from 7:00-8:30PM

Remaining dates: Wednesdays, February 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: [email protected] or 646-454-3029

Book Club

 

Thursday, February 5th at 7:00PM

Next date: Thursday, March 12th

 

We are reading Call It Sleep by Henry Roth. Next month we are reading Bride for One Night by Ruth Calderon.

 

To RSVP or for more information, please contact: [email protected]

Mah Jongg
 
Thursday, February 12th from 1:00-4:00PM
Remaining dates: Thursdays, March 12; April 9; May 14; June 11

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: [email protected]
Sisterhood Kos Kafe
(cup of coffee)

Meet your sisters of all ages from the Congregation to share coffee, light breakfast, and interesting conversation.  We will send you the address when you RSVP (we know, very secretive).

To RSVP or for more information, please contact: [email protected] or call 646-454-3101

Personal and Spiritual Pathways 

Through The Psalms

With Rabbi Jacqueline Ellenson

 

Friday, February 20th from 12:00-1:30PM

Remaining dates: Fridays, 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: [email protected] or call 646-454-3029

How to Raise a Mentsch

The Parenting Discussion Group

Led by Rabbi Spratt, Rabbi Laufer, 

and RSS Parent, Rabbi Erica Gerson

 

Wednesday, February 25th from 8:45-10:00AM

Remaining dates: Wednesdays, 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: [email protected] or 646-454-3029

Therapists' Study Group

 

Tuesday, March 3rd from 10:30-11:30AM 

Remaining dates: Tuesday, 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, please contact Ruth F. Kobrin, LMSW at 646-454-3180

 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: [email protected] 

or call 646-454-3029

Development

Memorial Plaques


There are still two yizkor services this year when the light next to all memorial plaques on the frames in the back of the Main Sanctuary will be lit - Passover and Shavuot.  Memorial plaques normally take up to eight weeks to be fabricated.  If you act now, there may still be time to receive a plaque in memory of your loved one(s) for one of these upcoming yizkor services. For more information, contact Deborah Siegel, Development Director, at 646.454.3050 or click here for a downloadable brochure.