The Unification of Rodef Shalom Congregation and Temple Sinai

All services, events, and classes are at Fifth & Morewood unless otherwise noted.

Monday, May 18

Community Meetup

7–9 PM | Dinner 6:15–7 PM

Community Meetup is designed to be informal, welcoming, affordable, and open — places where acquaintances become friends, and strangers feel like they belong. It’s a hub for creating and sustaining meaningful relationships. New this week: "Pick, Click, Flick! Some Stories about Interaction Techniques" led by Brad Myers, Wine Tasting with Tricia Brown (see below), and "Supporting Immigrant Families" (see below). Plus, all your favorites are back including Tai Chi class, Deal the Cards, Craft Class, Sisterhood Mahjong, and more! Join us!

7 PM Wine Tasting with Tricia Brown

Tricia will begin the class with the basics on how to assess a wine’s qualities by examining it by sight, by scent, and by taste. From there we will enjoy four small bites specifically paired with four wines, and will discuss the various characteristics that make a wine enhance the flavors of the food, or detract from it. Cost: $15. RSVP to Harton Wolf at hartonwolf01@gmail.com.

8 PM "From Helplessness to Hope: Supporting Immigrant Families in Pittsburgh" with Sr. Janice of Case San Jose

Join us for a conversation with Sister Janice about the challenges facing immigrant families in Pittsburgh and how we can respond. She’ll offer practical ways—beyond financial support—to provide connection, advocacy, and accompaniment. Learn how our community can take meaningful action and make a real difference.

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Gift Corner open 11 AM–3 PM and during Community Meetup

Biblical Garden open 10 AM–4 PM

Tuesday, May 19

10 AM–12 PM Sisterhood Sewing & Knitting Group

Beginners welcome!

1–3 PM Canasta

New players welcome! Contact Sally Seed at sallyseed@juno.com or (412) 606-0665 to join the group.

Gift Corner open 11 AM–3 PM

Biblical Garden open 10 AM–4 PM

Wednesday, May 20

1–3 PM Sisterhood Mahjong Game

Everyone is welcome to this informal game of mahj!

6–7:30 PM Evening Meditation with Rhonda Rosen

Contact Rhonda Rosen at rhonda.k.rosen@gmail.com for the Zoom link.

7:00–9 PM Choir Rehearsal

Biblical Garden open 10 AM–4 PM

Thursday, May 21

9:30–11 AM Honoring our Veterans Flag Placement at Memorial Park — Volunteers needed.

1–3 PM Canasta

New players welcome! Contact Sally Seed at sallyseed@juno.com or (412) 606-0665 to join the group.

5:15 PM Tikun Junior @ JCC Squirrel Hill

6–7:45 PM Iron Chef: Shavuot Edition

Step into the kitchen for a delicious showdown! Chefs Rabbi David Young and Rabbi Daniel Fellman are going head‑to‑head in a bourekas battle—and you’re invited to join the action!

8–9 PM Erev Shavuot Service

10 PM Tikkun Leil Shavuot @ JCC Squirrel Hill

Gift Corner open 11 AM–3 PM

Biblical Garden open 10 AM–4 PM

Friday, May 22 – Happy Shavuot! Chag Sameach!

We will be open for Shavuot and Shabbat services only.

10 AM–12 PM Shavuot Morning & Yizkor Services

7–8 PM Shabbat Service with our Unified Choir — Notice 4th Shabbat Time!

8:15 PM Oneg

Saturday, May 23

9–10 AM Torah Study

Weekly Parashah: An overview of the Torah portion of the week focusing on a section of the teacher’s choosing. Meets in Lippman Library and on Zoom (Meeting ID: 817 7143 3202) 

A Deeper Dive: A verse-by-verse look at the Torah, not beholden to the weekly schedule. Sometimes we get through a few verses, sometimes a few words, always an interesting discussion. Meets in the Kamin Dining Room and on Zoom (Meeting ID: 829 2520 3879; Passcode: Study) 

10 AM Shabbat Morning Service

Sunday, May 24–Monday, May 25

We will be closed in observance of Memorial Day.



Herzog Luncheon with Tony Richardson

Sunday, June 7 | 12:30 PM

Join us for a light lunch with guest speaker, Tony Richardson, Spiritual Care Coordinator for Allegheny Health Network's Heathcare@Home. He will discuss and provide insights on end-of-life planning, including hospice care.

Yiddish Day: Music, Language, and Activism for All

Sunday, June 7 | 10 AM–9 PM 

Attend any or all of our free classes and workshops — from songs, to language, to social action organizing, to dance! No Yiddish experience necessary. Yiddish Day is a pilot outreach program sponsored by the Workers Circle.

Brotherhood Night Out at the Pirates (offsite)

Tuesday, June 9 | 6:40–9 PM 

Join Brotherhood to cheer on the Buccos against the Dodgers. All are welcome!

Annual Meeting followed by Torah Walk and Celebration

Sunday, June 21 | 1:30 PM Meetings | 3 PM Torah Walk

Join us for our final annual meetings as Temple Sinai and Rodef Shalom Congregation. Afterwards, both legacy congregations will take the Torahs from our buildings at Forbes & Murdoch and Fifth & Morewood, and walk them to a point halfway between. From there, we will join together as a unified congregation and bring our Torahs back to Beit Kulanu. Food and fun will follow! More details coming soon.

Tikun Junior

Thursday, May 21 | 5:15–7:15 PM at the JCC Squirrel Hill Robinson Building

Join us for an early evening of learning! Families with children (ages 1-8) will have the opportunity to participate in individual age-approriate sessions, share a meal and cheesecase, and then conclude with family activities to welcome Shavuot. Free; advance registration required.

Shabbat With You

Saturday, June 6 | 9:00 AM

Join Berkman Family Center Director Ellie Kleinman-Feibus, Community Engagement Director Danie Oberman, and members of our clergy for a family-friendly Shabbat morning service followed by lox, bagels, and play time! $5 per family.

L'Taken Social Justice Seminar

Winter 2027 | Washington, DC

L'Taken, meaning "to repair" in Hebrew, and, in partnership with the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism, offers teens from all over the United States the opportunity to impact and begin to repair our country as they share their views on social justice topics with decision-makers on Capitol Hill. This program is designed to both expose teens to a variety of public policy issues and explore the Jewish values that inform the Reform Movement’s advocacy around these issues. Throughout the weekend, you will be provided the knowledge and tools to write an effective, persuasive, and passionate speech on a topic of your choice to present when you visit the offices of your Senators and Representatives during the program. More details coming soon. If you're interested in learning more, please reach out to Yael at eads@rodefshalom.org.

The Berkman Family Center online Swag Store is OPEN and stocked with sweatshirts, tee-shirts, mugs, and more with beautiful Family Center designs! Proceeds benefit the Teacher Appreciation fund!

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The Library Committee is looking for a few librarians or retired librarians (or related bookish volunteers) for a special project over the next few months. If interested in learning more, please contact Barb Siegel at barbsiegel@yahoo.com.

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Volunteer Docents Needed: We invite you to join our team of friendly volunteer docents to help provide informational guided tours of our historic building to school groups, garden clubs, family groups, and more! No experience required — just daytime availability and the ability to stand and walk for up to an hour. Attend one of our upcoming docent training classes, and we will give you all the tools you need to guide guests through our Congregation. Contact Mayda Roth at Roth@RodefShalom.org.

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Support Family House, our 2026 Pursuer of Peace honoree, by donating non-perishable food for their pantry. Residents of Family House have access to a kitchen to provide home-cooked meals for their loved ones who come to Pittsburgh for exceptional health care. Drop donations off in the lobby at Fifth & Morewood. Thank you for your mitzvah.

JFCS Counseling Services: Grief Support Groups

Did you recently sit shiva for your person and wonder, “where do I go from here?” Maybe you lit their Yahrzeit candle for the fifth year in a row, and you feel more lost than ever before? You are not alone. Grief is an experience that bonds us all as human beings. Join our grief support groups, where a psychotherapist will facilitate monthly sessions for Jewish adults in Oakland, Squirrel Hill, and the South Hills.

Beginning Hebrew for Adults

Tuesdays & Thursdays beginning May 26 • 6:00 PM at Beth Shalom

This course is meant for those who do not yet know the letters and vowels of the Alef Bet. This class will meet for 10 sessions and is provided by ITJ Pittsburgh.

JFunds Partners are offering emergency support

Jewish Assistance Fund offers the Western PA Jewish community grants with no repayment for emergency/urgent/pressing/out of the ordinary expenses.

JFCS Squirrel Hill Food Pantry offers emergency food (kosher and non-kosher) for all Allegheny County residents; everyone gets a mix of fresh, frozen, and nonperishable foods. Social workers are on site to assist with needs beyond food.

Hebrew Free Loan Association offers interest-free loans for a wide range of purposes to residents of Allegheny County and the surrounding area. HFLA loans can assist people experiencing an urgent housing problem, such as a broken furnace or damage to their home, or other emergencies.

Vigil for Immigrants Seized by ICE

Fridays, 8:30 -9:30 AM at Pittsburgh ICE building, 3000 Sidney Street

The vigil continues weekly with hymns, prayers, and moments of silence. This is a peaceful event to help remind the public of the terrible injustice that is being committed against our neighbors. Hosted by Sisters of St. Joseph, Pax Christi, and Casa San José.

Beit Kulanu is an inclusive community that embraces, supports, and values all people, regardless of ability or needs, to participate in every aspect of our Reform Jewish synagogue life. For more information or to request an accommodation, contact Drew Barkley at 412.621.6566 x107 or drew@rodefshalom.org.