Our Common Home: The Pope’s Encyclical in the Jewish Community

by Rabbi Jill Maderer

So… Who is in the box?  Who’s home falls in the Center City travel box when our special guest, the Pope, visits Philadelphia this fall? Me, too.  Although still not complete, this week’s transportation and security update began to feed my hunger for a better understanding about how my family will function, how emergencies will be addressed, and of course, how we are going to get the Jewish community to synagogue.  As complicated as the Pope’s visit will be from a logistical perspective, I am intrigued about how we in the Jewish community, might find meaning in this historical moment.

Counting the Omer: The Earth Remains

One of you at RS recently shared the need to add recycling bins to the bathrooms in our homes.  What other new ideas are you all trying to implement that will help to protect our earth?  On this 8th day of the Counting of the Omer, we honor the sacred creation God renews each day.

Baruch Ata Adonai, Elohenu Melech ha-olam asher kidishanu b’mitzvotav vitzivanu al s’firat ha’omer.  Blessed are You, Eternal our God, Ruler of the universe, who makes us holy with sacred actions and enjoins us to count the omer.

Hayom shimonah yamim, shehem shevuah echad veyom echad la-aomer. Today is 8 days, which are one week and one day of the omer.

Happy Earth Day–Your RS Clergy

Mark Bittman, Cheesecake and Shavuot Celebration

We were freed from the slavery of Egypt, not to wander aimlessly, but to discover our people’s purpose through Torah.  Tues. evening and Wed., we celebrate the gift of the revelation of Torah.  Learn about the festival of Shavuot with this great new Jewish content website from a Reform perspective, and participate in our RS celebrations:

Tuesday, May 14, 7:00-9:00 pm, Shavuot Night of Study: Without the sleep deprivation of the all-night study tradition, we will engage in a discussion about what our “What is Our Food Worth?” conversation that was started with Mark Bittman spoke at RS in March.  Nourish the soul with intellectual and spiritual search and nourish the body with some traditional dairy treats.

Toast for Trees

On June 23, the Young Friends of Rodeph Shalom hosted the Toast for Trees fundraiser to directly benefit the Buerger Early Learning Center, making it a better and greener place for kids to play.  Trees will help soften the edges of the Synagogue, improving and beautifying the neighborhood.  The tree planting will engage younger audiences in RS while managing stormwater, reducing heat island effect and greening the City.

The event was a lot of fun for all involved and included raffle prizes and samples from the Men of RS Brewing Club, Old City Coffee, Bird Song Wines, Y+B Wines, Philadelphia Brewing Company, Las Bugambilias, The Khyber Bar & Dos Segundos Restaurant.

The Toast for Trees committee sample the home-brewed beer the Men of RS were graciously sharing.

Check out more pictures from the event at Rodeph Shalom’s Facebook page!