Inclusion and Outreach
“We take pride in welcoming everyone who comes in, of every ethnicity, sexual orientation and demographic. And, we continue to learn ways to talk about differences, ways to meet different needs; we continue to realize that treating everyone the same is not necessarily welcoming” –Rabbi Lisa Grushcow
Consonant with our name, Rodeph Sholom, “Pursuer of Peace”, we seek an environment in which we listen and respond to the needs of all of our members; and, we recognize and value the diversity reflected in our congregation.
We are dedicated to cultivating and sustaining an inclusive environment in which all current and prospective members of the Rodeph Sholom Synagogue and School communities feel welcome and embraced, regardless of their attributes including but not limited to race, ethnicity, gender, socioeconomic status, disability, age, sexual orientation and gender identity. With respect to religious diversity, we welcome all people who seek a connection to Jewish life, and we value non-Jewish individuals who are part of our community and we encourage their involvement.
Our inclusion and outreach efforts support many existing programs within the synagogue and initiate new activities, events and programming as well. We advocate for the interests of our diverse community to ensure that the varying needs of our members are woven into all aspects of synagogue life. Our broad-based efforts include:
The Parents InterCircle is a learning and support source for non-Jewish parents raising Jewish children. This group was developed to:
- Provide a learning and supportive environment to increase literacy and knowledge of Judaism.
- Recognize the differences among us, the struggles and dedications it required to raise a family in traditions different from one’s own.
- Create and maintain a recognized and respected presence within the Jewish community.
The Parents InterCircle encourages broad participation from non-Jews within our congregation. From discussions about how to create a Passover seder that’s reflective of your family to providing resources for transliteration, song tunes, lifecycle events and more, to simply connecting over tea and coffee for camaraderie and conversation. The Parents InterCircle continues to be an accessible and reliable source for information and dialogue. To find out more, contact: intercircle@crsnyc.org.
Partnership with the GLBT Committee: The Inclusion and Outreach Committee partners with the GLBT Concerns Committee to address relevant issues in our Synagogue and School. Together, we aim to make Congregation Rodeph Sholom welcoming for all of our members and all kinds of families.
Addressing Disabilities: We monitor all conversations and programs with the goal of making our community more accessible to people with disabilities.
The Inclusion Outreach Committee reaches across Congregation Rodeph Sholom to ensure that every aspect reflects the different family structures and backgrounds of our diverse community. We review by-laws, policies, programs and all communications to ensure the consistency of our message and actions.
As we continue be inclusive, Rodeph Sholom sponsors various events and programs throughout the year. On Outreach Shabbat, for example the themes of diversity and inclusion are a central focus of the service. Our GLBT community gathers annually for a celebratory dinner.
Share your thoughts:
We invite you to participate in all of our programs, events and services. We encourage your comments, requests and involvement in the activities of our Committee. If you have suggestions, please contact: inclusionoutreach@crsnyc.org.
View our full calendar of events.
Read about becoming a member of Rodeph Sholom