2025 Reflections:
Throughout 2025, our community leaned into learning, service, and stewardship with a spirit that carried across every project and gathering. From powerful educational moments to hands-on environmental action, generous giving, and sustained support for neighbors in need, this year reflected our shared commitment to justice, care, and repair. The highlights below capture just some of the ways our congregation showed up for one another and for the wider world.
Eden Heilman’s appearance as April’s Shabbat Schmooze presenter, speaking about ACLU efforts on the national immigration front, was impactful and memorable.
The 2025 Operation Isaiah food drive was one of our most successful collections. We donated 863 pounds to the Virginia Peninsula Foodbank.
September brought a Reverse Tashlich beach clean-up, held in partnership with the Men’s Club and Education Committee and inspired by Tikkun HaYam. Before we got to work, Leah Schwarz shared an overview of marine pollution and practical ways we can respond.
In October, our Shabbat Schmooze shifted the spotlight to Environmental Stewardship, with Leah guiding congregants on a nature walk around the synagogue’s back ponds.
2025’s December PORT (People Offering Resources Together) Winter Shelter volunteering, led by Allen Fraley and Ann Chapman, served a record number of people. Thanks to our congregants for volunteering and generous donations to support this annual project. We also donated hygiene kits put together by Ann from the toiletries collected.
Our prescription pill bottle collection has exceeded expectations, with Ann Chapman, EJ Tench, and Leah Schwarz powering the project by cleaning and processing the bottles, which will be reused rather than sent to our landfills.
We continued to donate toiletries to Transitions Family Violence Center and THRIVE Peninsula.
Shoshana Marziano and Steve Meyerson have been working on the energy audit and HVAC thermostat assessment as part of our Climate Action Plan.
Climate Action Plan
We are working on completing our 2026 Climate Action Plan. You can learn more about Climate Action Plans here: Adamah’s Jewish Climate Leadership Coalition.
In 2026, we will expand composting, create a backyard garden, and fix up the trail behind our building. If you would like to help out with any of these projects, please email socialaction@rodefsholomtemple.org.
Upcoming
Saturday, January 10: Shabbat Schmooze with CNU’s Dr. Elizabeth Kaufer Busch. Dr. Busch is serving on the Civics and Civic Engagement Task Force, one of several task forces created by America250 – the nonpartisan commission created by Congress that is preparing for a nationwide commemoration culminating on July 4, 2026, the nation’s 250th anniversary.
Saturday, February 21: Shabbat Schmooze with Dr. Cassandra Newby-Alexander, Emeritus Director of Joseph Jenkins Roberts Center for African Diaspora Studies at Norfolk State University. She will speak about the Underground Railroad.
Continuing Donations:
Give Your Prescription Pill Bottles a Second Life
Donate Toiletries
Toiletry donations help provide dignity and comfort for people facing homelessness or housing insecurity. Please consider donating feminine hygiene products, shampoo, soap, toothpaste, toothbrushes, combs, deodorant, and other essentials. Full-sized and travel-sized items are welcome.
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