Welcome to Dor Hadash

Our last "in person" service was the B'nai Mitzvah of Talia Tru Rentschler and Bodhi K Saft Rentschler on March 14. Due to the beginning of self-distancing directives, the number of people in attendance at Rodef (with the exception of family) was limited. Talia and Bodhi were wonderful. We are including their Divrei Torahs Here.
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D'var Torah - Talia Tru Rentschler

D'var Torah - Bodhi K Saft Rentschler
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Rodef Shalom synagogue will be closed for services and all public gatherings are cancelled until April 16 when the decision will be re-evaluated.

This closure begins Friday March 13 at noon. This includes Refugee Shabbat and the Reggel scholar weekend which may be rescheduled at a later date.‍

The religious school will be closed this coming Wednesday (March 18) and move to a remote learning platform the following week. School families will receive an email from School Principal Karen Morris in the next few days. Families with upcoming b’nai mitzvahs will also hear from Karen in the next few days and should be reassured that these life events will happen.

We have received a very gracious invitation from Bet Am Shalom, a Reconstructionist synagogue in White Plains, NY to virtually attend their services.

Friday evenings: 6:15-7:15pm East Coast time Shabbat mornings: 10:30-11:45am East Coast Time

Here is a direct link to where you can click to hear the services:https://betamshalom.org/remote-access
If that does not work for any reason, go to www.betamshalom.org and find the link to the streaming services from the home page.
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The independent committee has finalized its report with recommendations to the three congregations meeting at the Tree of Life synagogue on how to distribute funds received by Tree of Life following the October 27 shooting.  The funds at issue were received by Tree of Life between October 27, 2018 and April 30, 2019.  The amount received by Tree of Life was $5,454,421.  The committee's recommendations have been presented to and approved by the three congregational boards.  The attached report describes the committee's work, reasoning and recommendations.
 
The independent committee was originally established to prepare a plan for distributing the funds collected by Federation following the shooting.  Based on the positive experiences working with that committee, the three congregations sought the committee's assistance with respect to a division/distribution of funds received by Tree of Life.  
The committee met seven times between September 2019 and January 2020.  All committee members were fully aware of the sensitive nature of its work and we strove to always be cognizant of those most affected by the shooting.
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The families of worshippers who were slain and the two worshippers who were seriously wounded all are to receive compassion payments.  Compassion payments will also be made to the individuals inside the building at the time of the attack and to those on the premises but outside the building.  
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This has been a very difficult process for the people on the independent committee, but a process that brought a group of diverse individuals together for the good of the community  and from which all members learned much and benefitted greatly.  

Jon Pushinsky
committee report