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Congregational Activities

Lunch & Learn Book Duscussion
Tuesday, September 21st
Now is the time to put your feet up and enjoy some summer reading! Our book selection for the summer is
By Fire, By Water by Mitchell James Kaplan.
We will gather at Rodeph Shalom to discuss By Fire, By Water at our regular time, noon-1:30 PM, on Tuesday, September 21st. Mery Kostianovsky will facilitate our discussion.  The author, Mitchell James Kaplan will be joining us at Rodeph Shalom for the discussion. The book is available through Amazon.com. By Fire, By Water is also the book chosen to be our community’s One book One Jewish Community read for 2010-2011. Below is more information:

Once Again, One Book One Jewish Community Leads the Way
with a NEW Author and a NEW Book Announcing the 2010-2011 Featured Selection
By Fire, By Water By Mitchell James Kaplan

One Book, One Jewish Community has traveled from the shtetls of Eastern Europe and the dumpsters of the Lower East Side, across the remote regions of Kurdish Iraq and through the immigrant camps of Israel, into Judah Benjamin's South and over the lines of a nation divided.

Join us on the next stop along our global Jewish journey through literature as we travel to the land of Columbus and conversos -- fifteenth century Spain.

There once was a man who possessed a very great treasure. So great, in fact, that he was afraid to speak of it with anyone...He didn't even allow himself to look at his treasure, because he might be found out...But the more he forbade himself to look at it, the more he longed to...to run his fingers through it, to use it for some purpose, even though he had forgotten what purpose his treasure was meant for.
From By Fire, By Water


Cookbook Volunteers Needed
RS Women is embarking on a project to revise its cookbook.  The intent is to create a cookbook that will still contain the treasured traditional recipes but also include lighter (read healthier) versions of those recipes as well as new recipes from congregants, especially for vegetarian dishes and fish.  Any and all will be gratefully received.
In order to make this project happen, we need a group of 12 to 15 people to sort, test and organize.  If you are interested and/or ablet o help please email Adelle Rubin (adelle.rubin@comcast.net).  Recipes should be sent to Adelle either by email or to her home address which can be found in the Directory.  We would like to receive the recipes this summer or fall, no later than Nov. 15, so that work can begin on the book.  Important note: this project is gender neutral; all men who like to cook and have a favorite recipe, please send it in!

Bereavement Group at RS
October 19 & 26, November 2 & 9
7:00- 8:30pm
Facilitated by Sandra King, M.S. Licensed Professional Counselor, Certified Grief Counselor
A parent dies and because we are adults and may have separate lives of our own the world forgets that we too grieve. In a safe, supportive atmosphere, we will discover that our feelings, thoughts and behaviors are not unique, but are shared by others like us.
The group will meet on four consecutive Tuesday evenings.* The group is open to RS members, friends and family of RS members and prospective members. Please let us know if you are interested by contacting Catherine Fischer (cfischer@rodephshalom.org, 215-627-6747 x 46). This group is made possible through the generosity of Goldstein’s Rosenberg’s Raphael-Sacks.

Our Children: Their Loves, Our Faith
Starting on Tuesday night, November 2 at 6 PM at Congregation Rodeph Shalom (615 North Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA) and continuing for two successive Tuesday evenings, Rodeph Shalom will offer a workshop entitled “Our Children: Their Loves, Our Faith” for Jewish parents whose children are in interfaith relationships. This three part series of two hour sessions will explore the following topics:

* The dynamics leading to interfaith marriages.
* Approaches to communicating with adult children about interfaith concerns.
* Your own relationship to Judaism and the Jewish people.

On Tuesday December 7th, a fourth session will be held to address issue around:

* Will my grandchildren be Jewish? And other grandparenting issues.

Catherine Fischer (Director of Membership and Programming at RS) and Diane Freedman (a career counselor and long time member of RS) will be co-facilitating this group. Diane is currently a Board member of Interfaithways and has personal experience with children who are in interfaith marriages. Catherine has many years of personal and professional experience working with interfaith couples and families through her work with the Union for Reform Judaism and facilitating Introduction to Judaism classes.

Dates: Tuesday, November 2, 9, 16. Time: 6-8 PM, Fourth session on grandparenting will be held on Tuesday, December 7.
Chair: Diane Freedman, 215-341-6474, dianefreedman@yahoo.com
Staff: Catherine Fischer, 215-627-6747 x 46, cfischer@rodephshalom.org

RSVP: Catherine Fischer by October 25.

Progressive Judaism: The Key to Jewish Revival in Poland
RESCEDULED for November 19 at 6:00pm
Meet Rabbi Burt Schuman and discover the vibrant world of progressive Judaism in Warsaw today.  To learn more about Rabbi Schuman's congregation, Beit Warszawa, visit their website: www.beit.org.pl and read Reform Judaism Magazine's recent interview with him here or at Reform Judaism Magazine's website.

Interested in or in the Process of Converting to Judaism?
Come join our- New Beginnings Class
February 2, 9, 23 from 6:30-8 PM (feel free to bring your own dinner).
Catherine Fischer will facilitate a series of discussions on matters around identity, family, and community and provide an opportunity to share the challenges and joys of how your path is shaping those issues.

This opportunity to share with others considering and going through conversion can normalize the conversion process making it richer and more joyful. In addition, people begin to feel a connection with one another that can be very comforting. By participating in this group, there is no assumption that everyone will convert. Our hope is that this class will serve your needs and interests on your personal journey wherever that may take you.

Contact Catherine Fischer (215-627-6747 x46, cfischer@rodephshalom.org) by January 25th if you are interested.

Related Links:
Youth Activities
Faces of RS
Save the Dates
Beth Ahavah Events
Families with Mercaz Limud Aged Children Events
Interfaith Families Events
RS Singles Over 40 Events
BoomRS Events
Men of RS Events
Young Friends Events
RS Women Events
Families with Young Children Events
TasteRS

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