Kol Nidre 5780

Dear Rodeph Family,

L'Shanah Tovah!!  5781 has been quite a year.  I'm sure none of us thought last year at this time that we would still be dealing with a COVID-19 surge over a year later.  However, here at Rodeph, we have made it our goal to stay open and offer as much in person services, religious school, and programming in as safe a manner as possible.  Our Friday night drive-in services were a big hit and will be returning when the weather cools a bit.  We had many fun Shabbat dinners, including Cinco de Mayo Shabbat and Independence Day Shabbat and some great themed Shabbats, like graduation Shabbat and our Bucs Shabbat (which I believe helped us win the Super Bowl).  We had new youth events like our COVID safe Purim "Car-nival" scavenger hunt instead of our traditional Purim indoor carnival.  Men's club and Sisterhood had informative and entertaining online events which included a talk from our Mayor Jane Castor and an ice cream social.  Our Rodeph Sholom Jewish Film Club has screened several films online and in person.

As we head into 5782, we already have three events scheduled for just September, including the return of the popular Young at Heart programs, a magician/comedian in the Sukkah, and watching the Bucs on the big screen in the Sukkah.  We are working on a continued revitalization of our youth programming.  Planning is happening now for another Chai member party and Casino night this year.  Also, be on the look out for some wine tasting events.

In preparing for my Kol Nidre appeal speech, I looked up the word "Tzedakah", and it is defined as "(among Jewish people) charitable giving, typically seen as a moral obligation.  We have six lead donors for this year's Kol Nidre appeal who have stepped up to this moral obligation: Betty Shalett as well as Jim and I are each donating $10,000, and Anne Elozory, Judy Genshaft and Steve Greenbaum, Marty and Maxine Solomon, and Abe and Betsy Marcadis are donating $5,000 each.  There are many organizations that are deserving of your tzedakah, but I hope as we move into 5782 that you will put Rodeph Sholom high on your tzedakah list as our lead donors have.  We need your support to continue to bring you all the great programming mentioned above and to be a strong Conservative shul in South Tampa.  We are here for you!!  Please reach out to us if there is anything that we can do for you that we are not doing.  We hope to see everyone in 5782 at Shabbat services, minyan, religious school, youth groups, movie nights, our Sukkot events, shabbat dinners, or any of the events we have throughout the year.

I wish all of you a happy, healthy, safe, joyful, and peaceful 5782.

B'Shalom,

Marcy Solomon Baker, MD

President Congregation Rodeph Sholom