Our Caring Community

Welcome to Temple Rodef Shalom’s Caring Community, where compassion thrives and connections flourish. We are dedicated to fostering a supportive environment that strengthens bonds within our congregation. Join us in embracing the values of kindness, empathy, and unity as we navigate life’s journey together with warmth and understanding.

For information on these programs or initiatives, please get in touch with Stefanie Bloom, Director of Caring, at .

Caring Community Programs

Temple Rodef Shalom is a caring community. Whether we are delivering meals to a family dealing with chronic illness…calling a friend to offer words of encouragement…or making sure an elderly friend gets to an appointment on time…we understand that we are responsible for one another.

Rodef Rides is a program that connects adults in our congregation who cannot transport themselves with volunteer drivers who are willing to give them a lift to Temple events or other places they need to go.  This service makes our community more welcoming and inclusive, and allows congregants to more fully participate in our Temple community, especially for those who struggle to get to the Temple or may feel isolated and stuck at home. Rodef Rides partners with NV Rides to coordinate these rides. Email if you are in need.

Congregants confronting health challenges or crises need healthy meals to sustain them through these tough times. If you believe you are in need of assistance, please contact Otto Adelman at .

Our friendly call program will connect volunteers with congregants at home who would benefit from a weekly call.  This program, primarily aimed at seniors, allows our volunteers to build deeper connections with congregants who may otherwise feel isolated or disconnected.  To sign up, please contact Stefanie Bloom at .

  • “Next Steps” Group (for widows/widowers): This support/education/discussion group is for TRS widows and widowers beyond the initial stages of bereavement (i.e., post 6-12 months). Discussions focus on the practical, emotional, and social issues related to moving ahead with life as a single widowed person. This is not a drop-in group. Instead, we ask that you commit to attending four consecutive weekly sessions (with the possibility of 6 weeks). The group may continue to meet informally without the facilitator after the initial four weeks, generally for dinner, to share experiences, information, resources, support, and to be together.  More cohorts will be announced in the future.

  • Breast Cancer Support Group: Contact Anita Thornton at for more information.

Wise Aging Class (spring cohort begins March 2024):

Join this popular, innovative program, developed by the Institute for Jewish Spirituality and led by TRS members Judy and Dave Gayer, that explores the opportunities and challenges we all face as we age. In the class, peer groups of 10-12 Temple members in their 60s and 70s are guided through a reflective process that helps them come to a deeper understanding of their lives and values in a welcoming, Jewish context. The program covers topics critical to this time of our lives, including physical changes, relationships, forgiveness, spirituality, and loss. Issues are explored through various means, including text study, meditation, and interaction with your peers at a deeper level than is possible in many other settings.

Given the small group setting and the importance of continuity to the experience, you must commit not to miss more than one out of the six sessions as part of the enrollment. Since each group is limited to 12 members, it is essential to register early, and it will be in person.

Please register by clicking here.

Email Jan Pomerantz at  and Everett Wilcox at  with questions.

Cost: $18.00

Additional programming can be found on our calendar by clicking here.

Resources:

Sources:

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2023, April 11). Caregiver worksheets. National Institute on Aging. https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/caregiving/caregiver-worksheets

Volunteer Opportunities

The Caring Committee of Temple Rodef Shalom, under the direction of the Director of Caring, is a group of dedicated volunteers who provide non-urgent assistance to members who could benefit from home visitation, temporary meal delivery, or other short-term support.

Among other things, the Caring Committee coordinates and encourages the following specific acts of loving kindness (G’milut Chasadim) for our Temple congregants in times of need.  All of the below can be volunteered for by filling out the volunteer form.

Please use this volunteer form to indicate your areas of interest if you would like to be added to our list of willing volunteers.

Rodef Rides is a program that connects adults in our congregation who cannot transport themselves with volunteer drivers who are willing to give them a lift to Temple events or other places they need to go.  This service makes our community more welcoming and inclusive, and allows congregants to more fully participate in our Temple community, especially for those who struggle to get to the Temple or may feel isolated and stuck at home. Rodef Rides partners with NV Rides to coordinate these rides. Volunteers will receive opportunities to give rides by email, and can accept the opportunities that suit them.  Email RodefRides@templerodefshalom with any questions.

Congregants confronting health challenges or crises need healthy meals to sustain them through these tough times.  Volunteers prepare and deliver or arrange for meals to be delivered to Congregants’ homes.  Volunteers receive opportunities by email through Take Them A Meal, and can sign up for specific dates and recipients. 

Brighten the day of a fellow congregant who really needs it, with a delivery of fresh flowers, challah for shabbat, books from the Temple library, or a holiday gift.  Volunteers will pick up items for delivery from the Temple and deliver them to congregants’ homes.  Volunteers will receive opportunities to sign up by email, and are able to choose the opportunities that work best for their schedules. 

Our friendly call program will connect volunteers with congregants at home who would benefit from a weekly call.  This program, primarily aimed at seniors, allows our volunteers to build deeper connections with congregants who may otherwise feel isolated or disconnected.  Volunteers will participate in a training conducted by the Director of Caring prior to conducting phone calls.

If you know of anyone who may benefit from the friend to friend call, please reach out to Director of Caring, Stefanie Bloom at .