Join Us for these Important Discussions:

Youth Group Purim Carnival Preparations (Grades 6-12) - Art Room, Basement

12:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m., every Sunday afternoon through March 10

This is YOUR time to shine! Each year, the Rodef Shalom Youth Group throws the biggest and best Purim Carnival in the city, and we want you to be a part of it! Bring your ideas, your creativity, and your friends and help get the carnival started. Lunch is provided each week with a $5 donation requested. RSVP by emailing [email protected] or [email protected].

Christian - Jewish Dialogue

Thursday, February 7

12 p.m. ∙ ALC1

Facilitated by local clergy from Jewish & Christian backgrounds, this monthly discussion explores topics of similarities and differences.

Tot Shabbat

Friday, February 8

6 p.m. ∙ Aaron Court

Welcome Shabbat with family, friends, music, prayer, and stories. Join us for candle lighting, Kiddush, and Motzi, which will be followed by a potluck dinner. Please bring a 

nut-free salad or side dish for 6-8 people. Conclude the evening with a child-friendly service followed by dessert. Everyone welcome!

RSVP to Mimsie Leyton at [email protected] or by calling 412.621.6566 x127.

Shabbat Lunch & Learn

Saturday, February 9 

12:30 p.m. ∙ ALC1

Rabbi Ron Symons will be our speaker at the next Lunch & Learn. His topic will be:  Love Your Neighbor As Yourself: From The Heart of Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood.  Please join us for this topical discussion.

The Lunch and Learn series is open to all congregants and guests. Lunch is $5. RSVP by Feb. 7 by visiting rodefshalom.org/rsvp.

This event is sponsored by the Rodef Shalom Prayer, Practice and Learning Committee.

Cupcake Showdown

Sunday, February 10

12:00 p.m. ∙ Rodef Shalom

Children in grades K-5 welcome!

The Hebrew month of Adar has officially begun, so that means it's time to celebrate! What better way to celebrate than with cupcakes and a bit of a cupcake showdown? Bring your decorating skills, your sweet tooth, and a friend and join in the fun! 

The cost is $5, which covers all cupcake materials and lunch.

RSVP to Yael Eads at  [email protected]

J-JEP 5779 Parent Electives with Rabbi Danny Schiff

Sunday, February 24

Sunday, March 3

Sunday school isn't just for kids - Our adult elective series with Jewish Community Foundation Scholar Rabbi Danny Schiff begins soon and everyone is welcome to attend! Find out more and register at  jjep.org/parents .

Emergency Food Drive Supports those Impacted by Government Shutdown

The Jewish Family and Community Services Squirrel Hill Food Pantry is preparing for an increase in demand due to the government shutdown which has furloughed workers without pay and will directly impact food stamp benefits as early as next month.

At this time, Rodef Shalom is collecting:

- Cash donations

- Grocery gift cards

- Non-perishable food items

Please leave food items at the collection station located in the Rodef Shalom commons area and drop off any monetary donations at the front desk.

Contact Yael Eads for more information at  [email protected]

Performers Needed

for "A Hard Night's Megillah"

Sunday, March 17

10:00 a.m. ∙ Levy Hall

If you love The Beatles, you will love this Purim shpiel that contains some greatest hits. No memorization needed, just the desire to have fun. Rehearsals to start in February. This is a joint program of Tree of Life and Rodef Shalom. Contact Rabbi Jeffrey Myers at [email protected] to get involved!

Jewish Scholarship Service of Greater Pittsburgh

Apply today if you are a Jewish high school senior or Jewish student enrolled in an undergraduate, graduate or technical school with financial need and reside in Allegheny, Beaver, Butler, Washington or Westmoreland county.

Apply  here  by February 12, 2019

Camp Scholarships Available

Women of Rodef Shalom (WRS) scholarships for Jewish overnight camp are available to children of congregation members. Eligible campers have attended a Jewish overnight camp at least one time. For application details, contact Sara Segel at  [email protected] .  

The application deadline is February 19, 2019.  

More Upcoming Events... 

Torah and the Times

Thursday, February 14

Thursday, March 14

Thursday, April 11

Thursday, May 9

12:00 p.m. ∙ ALC1

Rabbi Bisno's monthly brown bag lunch series continues. We'll begin with the "gospel of the New York Times" - Torah lessons taken from the daily news.

Anti-Semitic and Other Hate Violence: The Current Context, Perpetrators, and the Role of Social Media

Sunday, February 17

3:00 p.m. ∙ Levy Hall

In conjunction with Congregation Dor Hadash, Kathleen Blee, 

a researcher of organized racism and antisemitism and the Dean of the University of Pittsburgh's Dietrich's School of Arts and Science will be present and facilitate a discussion on the role of social media in hate crimes. Please email  [email protected]  to register.

AARP Squirrel Hill Meeting and Sing-a-Long Event

Wednesday, February 20

1:00 p.m. ∙ Levy Hall

All seniors are invited to come and sing-a-long with the JCC chorus. The meeting will include information on legislative matters which concern seniors, current health report, and information on the groups monthly luncheons, etc. In addition, crochet chemo hat patterns will be available and if you have a knitted pattern, please bring one to share. 

The chapter would appreciate your donations of used eyeglasses, cell phones with chargers, and new travel size toiletries which they will donate to various non-profit organizations. NOTE: If the Pittsburgh Public Schools are closed cue to inclement weather, the AARP meeting is cancelled. Please contact Marcia Kramer at 

412-731-3338  for more information.

For the Family: "Final Friday"

Friday, February 22

Noon ∙ Aaron Court

All families with children five years and younger accompanied by an adult are invited to join our preschoolers to welcome Shabbat with candles, Kiddush, Hamotzi, singing, dancing, stories, and more! Come from noon - 12:30 p.m. and bring your friends. Everyone welcome!

Gun Violence Prevention

101 Workshop

Sunday, February 24

9:30 a.m. ∙ Sisterhood Room

The Pittsburgh team of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America and Women of Rodef Shalom invite you to their interactive workshop on the complex problem of gun violence. Learn about local efforts, recent victories in Pennsylvania, and how you can become a productive voice in the movement. Please RSVP by February 20 to [email protected] to hold your spot. Refreshments will be served.

Attention Grandparents: Join the Grand Journey!

Sunday, February 24

The G2 Initiative gives grandparents and grandchildren an opportunity to build a strong and meaningful relationship centered around Jewish identity, family narrative, and connection to the Jewish community and Israel.

Monthly activities and programming are scheduled to begin in February, and the program culminates in a week-long trip to Israel. Contact Kristin Karsh at [email protected] or visit here to register. Stay tuned for details.

Junior / Senior Purim Luncheon

Friday, March 15

11:30 a.m. ∙ Freehof Hall

Seniors are invited to join the preschoolers and their families for a joyful Purim celebration filled with singing and a play starring the children in the Pre-K class. Stay for lunch and of course hamantashan!

RSVP to Mimsie Leyton at [email protected] or by calling 412.621.6566 x127.

Save the Date: March 16

Women of Rodef Shalom and Brotherhood

Joint Shabbat Service

Saturday, March 16 at 10:30 a.m. A special Oneg after the service is planned. Stay tuned for details!

Every Week at Rodef Shalom

Monthly Food Drive for the 

Squirrel Hill Community Food Pantry

Food justice is a significant part of our Social Action efforts! Help feed the needy in our community. Visit our donation station in the Commons area. Learn about the Squirrel Hill Community Food Pantry at www.sqfoodpantry.org.

Bridge Game

Mondays ∙ 12 p.m. ∙ Freehof Hall

Pittsburgh Bridge Association information is available at:

www.pittsburgh bridge.org

Alcoholics Anonymous Meeting

Mondays ∙ 7:30 p.m. ∙ ALC1

All are welcome.

Sewing Workshop Sponsored by Women of Rodef Shalom

Tuesdays ∙ 10 a.m. ∙ Sisterhood Room

Beginners welcome. Contact Nancy Rosenthal: (412) 828-4844.

Bridge Game

Wednesdays ∙ 12 p.m. ∙ Sisterhood Room

Pittsburgh Bridge Association information is available at:

www.pittsburghbridge.org

Mahjong

Wednesdays ∙ 1 p.m. ∙ Freehof Hall

Everyone is welcome to this informal game of maj. 

Choir Rehearsal

Wednesdays ∙ 7:30 p.m. ∙ Levy Hall

Our singers span several generations and have varying levels of musical experience. Music reading and Hebrew reading are not required. Our choir sings in services once a month and performs in the community a few times a year. For more information, email Molly May at  [email protected] .

Afternoon Open Play

Tuesdays ∙ 3:30 - 5:30 p.m. ∙ Family Center

A classroom and the playground will be open for children who are accompanied by an adult to hang out with friends.  Contact  Mimsie : (412) 621-6566 x127.

Parkinson's Support Group

Wednesdays ∙ 1 p.m. ∙ ALC1

Meets the first Wednesday of each month. Parkinson's Foundation Western Pennsylvania Information is available at:

www.pfwpa.org

Yoga sponsored by Women of Rodef Shalom

Fridays ∙ 9:30 - 11 a.m. ∙ Sisterhood Room  

Men and women are welcome. Cost is $10/class. Bring a mat. Contact Sharon Lesgold: (412) 904-2611.

The

Gift Corner

Do you have a small wall space in your kitchen or just inside your front door that could use a little ornamentation?

Hanging decorations at the Gift Corner are perfect for the places in the house that see the most people and will make your family and guests feel cheerful and at home. We also have larger pieces for bigger spaces if you want to mix things up a little with some new art.

Come visit and see our selection, then pick out the one(s) you like best!

See you soon at the Gift Corner!

Monday

10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Tuesday-Friday

11 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Wednesday

4:30 - 6:30 p.m.

(during Religious School) 

Sunday

9:30 a.m. - 12 p.m.

(during Religious School) 

Evenings by appointment. 

Rodef Shalom

Legacy Society

Anonymous (3) ∙ Betty Abrams * ∙ Barbara and Alan Ackerman ∙ Marcia and Richard Adelsheim ∙ Lawrence Adler ∙ Bette and Hal* Bigler ∙ Michelle and Aaron Bisno ∙ Karen and Richard Brean ∙ Rosella and Gilbert Broff* ∙ Sylvia and Sidney Busis ∙ Marion Cohen* ∙ Teri and Barton Cowan ∙ Marcia and Charles* Deaktor ∙ Ruth and Emil Feldman* ∙ Sheila and Milton Fine ∙ Sylvia Fischer ∙ Frederick Frank ∙ Nachum Golan and Steven Hough ∙ Bette Jean Goldblum* Jack Goldsmith* ∙ Juliette Grauer* ∙ Anna Greenberg* ∙ Sharyn Henry and Dennis Grinberg ∙ David Hammerstein ∙ Jacki and Jeffrey Herzog ∙ Martha and Edwin Horne* ∙ Irene* and Walter Jacob ∙ Lynne and Blair Jacobson 

∙ Evan Klein ∙ Audrey and Robert* Lazar ∙ Francine and Alan Lefkowitz ∙ Susan Friedberg Kalson and David Kalson ∙ Natalie A. Kaplan ∙ Corrine and Seymoure 

Krause* ∙ Amy Langham ∙ Sharon and Alan Lesgold ∙ Marcia Levaur ∙ Edgar Levenson* ∙ Frances and David* Levin ∙ Janet Markel and Barry Lhormer* ∙ Sally and Tim Litman ∙  Norma and Edgar Michaels* ∙ Pauline and Bernard Michaels* ∙ Carol Goldblum Nathenson ∙ Helen Orringer ∙  Lynn and Gerald Ostrow* ∙ Jeffrey Pollock ∙ Shirley and Sidney Rapport* ∙ Richard E. Rauh ∙ Mildred Rogow ∙ Bette and Howard Rom ∙ Sabina and Peter Rosenfeld ∙ 

Robert Rosenthal ∙ 

Mayda Roth ∙ 

Michelle Gray-Schaffer and Eric Schaffer ∙ Dottie Silberman ∙ Richard Simon ∙ William Stein ∙  Karla and Raymond Stept* ∙ Laura and Harlan Stone ∙  Meredith and David Strassburger ∙ Mona and E.J. Strassburger ∙ Barry Weisband ∙ Carole Williams ∙ Ruth Wintner* ∙  Susan and Robert* Wolf ∙ Leatrice and John* Wolf, Sr.  

 

We welcome our new members, shown in bold, who joined in 2018.

 

 *z"l or "of blessed memory"

Create your legacy by including Rodef Shalom Congregation in your will, trust, retirement account or insurance policy. To learn more about the Rodef Shalom Legacy Society, contact Mayda Roth at 

412.621.6566 x140  

or at 

[email protected] .

­

Make Sure Your Family is in the Member Directory!

We are preparing a new member directory and we want your family photo to be included! The following time slots are available for photos:

Sunday, March 24 from 2-8 p.m.

Monday, March 25 from 2-9 p.m.

Tuesday, March 26 from 2-9 p.m.

Sunday, April 7 from 2-8 p.m.

Monday, April 8 from 2-9 p.m.



Tuesday, April 9 from 2-9 p.m.

Sign up for your session here !

Antisemitism Then and Now: 

Perspectives After Tree of Life 

A public lecture series at the University of Pittsburgh  

Wednesdays, January 30 - April 24, 2019, 

Noon - 12:50 p.m, 1502 Posvar Hall 

Schedule:

Overview and Pre-modern Roots

February 6

Stories People Tell: Medieval Anti-Jewish Legends and Their Afterlives

Hannah Johnson (English)

February 13

Racial Antisemitism and Inquisition in Late Medieval and Early Modern Spain 

Michal Friedman (CMU, History)