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.
January 3, 2017 
Special Worship
and Spiritual Opportunities in January
Special Guest Joey Weisenberg at Shabbat Morning Chapel Service

We will learn with the amazing Joey Weisenberg, ( http://joeyweisenberg.com/) Creative Director of the Hadar Center for Communal Jewish Music.  

There will be a luncheon with more singing by Joey following services.

RSVP required for lunch to [email protected].
Erev Shabbat/Shir Chadash and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemoration Service ASL

This will be a moving and musical service honoring the work and life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The service will be ASL interpreted.
Morning Chapel Service: 
Shabbat of Belonging 

Echoing Isaiah's vision, Congregation Rodeph Sholom is meant to be a "house of prayer for all people."

Join us on this Shabbat, as we celebrate inclusion, diversity and belonging.

Women's March on NYC (open to all)
Those interested in joining the Women's March on NYC, please plan to leave the Chapel Service early and walk together to join a Rally at B'nai Jeshurun, scheduled to begin at 11:00AM. Following readings and a brief program, the group will march south at noon to join the main march near Trump Tower. More details as they become available.
Erev Shabbat Service and Meyer W. Nathans Award

The Meyer W. Nathans Award recognizes  congregants for outstanding service to the Rodeph Sholom community.  This year, we honor Jaclyn Shafer and Catherine Sull.
Brotherhood and Sisterhood Shabbat Service

Brotherhood and Sisterhood together help clergy lead this Morning Shabbat Service.
Community Events
Evening of Comedy and Community
featuring Jerry Seinfeld, Richard Kind, A.J. Jacobs, Randi Zuckerberg and Friends
Tuesday, February 7th, 8:00PM

Please click here for more information.

All members will receive an email on Tuesday, January 1oth, with full ticket buying instructions.
Creating Moments and
 Making Moments Count

Led by Susan Ticker
 
Using the blessing of Kiddush as a springboard, these two sessions will help us explore what it means to make time holy, and how we can bring those ideas into our daily lives as well. 

Inspiring Women of the Congregation 

This year's theme is Sacred Calling: Women of Congregation Rodeph Sholom Who Became Clergy.
Sign up for the Rodeph Sholom Trip to Israel
August 21-31, 2017
Just a friendly reminder that you can sign up for our trip to Israel now!  Contact  Rabbi Greg Weitzman for schedules and more information. 
Adult Education 
Hebrew Classes 

Learning Hebrew can be a fun adventure, and a way to open the magic of the Torah and the living language of Israel.  Our instructor, Sara Rosen, works one-on-one with students so you can start at any point in the year!

Book Group

This month, we will read The Beauty Queen of Jerusalem by Sarit Yishai-Levi.  In February, we will read Max's Diamonds, by our own congregant Jay Greenfield. Jay will be present for the discussion.
Mah Jongg
Upcoming dates: February 9, March 9

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, contact: [email protected].
Our Haven and Our Strength: Personal and Spiritual Pathways through the Psalms
with Rabbi Jackie Ellenson
Upcoming dates: Fridays on February 10, March 10, April 21, May 12, June 9

The Book of Psalms contains expressions of all human experience and multiple manifestations of the ancient search for God's presence. Join us for a a year-long series of discussions as we gather for a participatory learning experience.
Lunch Together
Upcoming dates:  February 14, March 28, April 25, May 16, June 13

This month's Lunch Together features Dr. Mirele Goldsmith speaking on climate change. Dr. Goldsmith developed the Greening Initiative for the Jewish Community Centers of North America, and served as an advisor to the Agency Greening Education Work Group of UJA-Federation.

Please RSVP to [email protected] or 646-454-3043.
Jewish Basics, Semester 2: Big Questions and Key Texts
 Wednesday, January 25th, 7:00-8:30PM
Upcoming dates:  February 1, 8,  15, 22; March 1, 8, 15, 29; April 5, 19, 26

Taught by the clergy of CRS, the class navigates big questions of Jewish life and connect you with others on their own Jewish journeys.

For more information, contact Rabbi Greg Weitzman at [email protected].

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
New!  Sign up for our E-Advocacy Newsletter
 
Starting this month, we are going to send out a brief, timely newsletter that focuses on social action.  Please sign up to get involved!  Call or email Kirsten Major, [email protected], (646) 454-3058, to get on the list.
E-Advocacy for January: Deporting Lifelong U.S. Residents
 
Over 700,000 undocumented immigrants in the United States arrived here as children and were raised in this country. The Obama administration created Deferred Action for Childhood to help them.
 
As the Obama administration comes to a close, those in this program are in danger.  They can be easily deported to a country of origin they do not even remember.
 
As Jews, we are commanded to protect the strangers in our land. (Leviticus 19:33-34)
 
Click here to urge President Obama to protect these people from deportation.
Sisterhood Volunteer Project: Days for Girls
At The Church of St. Matthew & St. Timothy

Days for Girls is a grassroots non-profit that gives feminine hygiene kits to 400,000 girls and women worldwide who live in poverty. Sisterhood at CRS has joined with volunteers at The Church of St. Matthew and St. Timothy to make kits to distribute to girls and women in need in New York City.

Please join us! This does not require knowing how to sew; all you need is a desire to make a difference. 

If you have questions, please write   [email protected] .
Offsite: St. Xavier's Soup Kitchen

Help prepare and serve meals to visitors at the St. Xavier's Soup Kitchen in Chelsea. Please click here to sign up. Volunteers must be 17 and over.
Backpack Buddies Expanding to Serve More Hungry Children

Thanks to the strong partnership of our community, we are able to fill more backpacks to help children in our neighborhood who don't have enough to eat. Click here to sign up.
Volunteer at the CRS Shelter!

By volunteering at our homeless shelter, you will provide in-the-moment assistance to people who have nowhere to sleep.   

Please help.  Click here to sign up!  
Development
Yom Kippur Appeal 5777/2016

Forget something from 2016?
 
There is still time to participate in the Yom Kippur Appeal!

The YKA is our largest source of revenue aside from membership dues, which only cover 55% of our operations. From providing dues assistance, to making unexpected repairs to our building, to supporting our remarkable clergy, your philanthropic support makes a tangible impact.

All YKA donors will be listed in the spring edition of the Chronicle and our deadline is quickly approaching!

To make your gift to the appeal:

Click here to make a gift online.
* Send in a check made payable to CRS to 7 W. 83rd Street.
* Call the Development Office (646-454-3052) for information about automatic recurring payments, gifts of appreciated stock, or adding a pledge to your synagogue account.

Your support is essential to our congregation's strength. We thank you in advance for your generosity!