3003 Sholom Drive
San Antonio, TEXAS
(210) 493-3557
More about Rodfei Sholom
Throughout the ages, rabbis have defined the
synagogue in a variety of ways-- as a Beit T'filah (House of
Prayer), a Beit Knesset (House of Assembly), a Beit Midrash (House of Study), and a Beit Sefer (House of Learning), among others. But one thing has
always remained constant--the use of the word Beit (house) in their definitions.
And rightfully so. Because just as your house serves as the home of
your Jewish family life, the synagogue serves as the home of your Jewish communal life -
whether you spend every Shabbos there or simply visit on the High Holy Days.
Like your house, your synagogue is a place where you should feel at
home. From young children to senior citizens all should feel comfortable and welcomed in
their "second home," and the Rabbi should be someone you can turn to at all
times in your life for guidance, comfort and inspiration.
We at Congregation Rodfei Sholom would like to
introduce you to our synagogue--and invite you to make yourself at home.
First and foremost, Congregation Rodfei Sholom is a House of Prayer.
From our sunrise Shachrit service to our Mincha/Ma’ariv minyan at sunset, people
gather to worship in our synagogue every day.
The heart of our sanctuary is our Ark which is
surrounded by three, beautiful windows. Each window was designed to symbolize some of the
most meaningful and memorable passages from the Bible. Together, their stained glass and
metal sculptures create an illustration of the words of Proverbs 3:18, "She is a
tree of life to those who embrace her; those who lay hold of her will be blessed. "
Congregation Rodfei Sholom is an orthodox shul, and as is customary
in orthodox shuls, a mehitzah separates our female congregants from our male congregants
during formal worship services. Women sit on the left side of the sanctuary, and men on
the right, giving everyone equal view to the Bimah and Aron Hakodesh.
Our spiritual leader, the soul of our congregation, is Rabbi Aryeh
Scheinberg. The traditional liturgy of our worship and holiday services is punctuated by
his inspirational sermons which are relevant to our times and lives. The stirring voice of
our hazzan, Dr. Joel Rutman, adds even greater meaning to our worship services.
Children are always welcome in our sanctuary. Our Congregation also
sponsors special Junior Congregation services for our school-age children, story telling
for our pre-schoolers, and Tot Shabbat once a month on Fridays. Complimentary baby-sitting
for our youngest congregants is available on Shabbat.
Besides offering worship services for Shabbat and holidays
throughout the year. Congregation Rodfei Sholom offers our members a multi-dimensional
house of Assembly.
Our physical plant has been designed to maximize its usage. In
addition to our sanctuary, our facility includes offices, a school, a mikvah, a fully
equipped and strictly-supervised kosher kitchen, a library, and a social hall. Outside,
you will find landscaped and oak-studded grounds, a picnic area, and a wonderful
playground for our children.
Congregation Rodfei Sholom is the site of numerous family,
community, and holiday celebrations. Once a month, our Friday evening Kabbalat Shabbat
service and Tot Shabbat program is followed by a Shabbat meal. Every Shabbat morning after
services, congregants are invited to a weekly Kiddush luncheon where we sing Zemirot
Shabbat, visit together and hear Divrei Torah. Our Kiddush also provides an excellent
opportunity for our members to get to know one another and exchange ideas in a less formal
atmosphere. Every Shabbat after Mincha, as Shabbat ebbs away we join together at Shalosh
Seudot for more singing and Divrei Torah.
Holidays are made even more special for our members, thanks to our
synagogue wide celebrations. At Congregation Rodfei Sholom, our members can break their
Yom Kippur fasts, decorate and dine inside our Sukkah, revel at our Chanukah party and
Purim carnival, join in our Pesach seder, and campfire-picnic at Lag B’omer and Tikun
Leil Shavuot (sit-up and study Shavuot night). To paraphrase Ecclesiastics 3:1-8,
"There is a time for every season…" and whatever the season, Congregation
Rodfei Sholom will find a way to help make it more meaningful for our members.
Our Sisterhood also sponsors a variety of social,
cultural, educational, and fundraising events, and, our monthly newsletter will keep you
informed about all the activities our congregation has to offer.
Congregation Rodfei Sholom is more than a place to worship and
socialize. It is also a House of Study. To that end, we offer an extensive array of
educational opportunities to all our members.
Topics include Prayer, Talmud, Midrash, Laws, Torah, Ethics,
Traditions and Rituals, Love and Marriage, Family Life, Kashruth and issues especially
relevant to our times as well as an active Scholars In Residence program.
More than any other principle, Congregation Rodfei Sholom believes
that our children are our most valuable legacy.
Our religious school is in session every Tuesday and Thursday
afternoon. On Shabbat morning we have special Shabbat programs for school-age children. In
our religious school our students study everything from the holidays, traditions, rituals,
and The Bible, to the State of Israel, to Jewish history, laws, ethics, and beliefs.
Besides our Junior Congregation and Religious School, our children are encouraged to join
and participate in our synagogue youth group Junior N.C.S.Y and Senior N.C.S.Y. This
allows them to experience and appreciate the social, as well as educational rewards of
being a member of our synagogue community.
For children approaching Bar and/or Bat Mitzvah age, we provide
comprehensive study of Hebrew, Prayer, and the worship service, Torah Portion of the week
and Haftarah.
Besides our Junior Congregation and Religious
School, our children are encouraged to join and participate in our synagogue youth group .
This allows them to experience and appreciate the social, as well as educational rewards
of being a member of our synagogue community. Plus, by cultivating a strong sense of
belonging within our youth, we work to better strengthen our synagogue and our people as
they grow into adulthood and have families of their own.
Home-Hospitality
Guests from far and near, from within the city, and from different
continents find a friendly hand and a warm smile to assist them for their Shabbat
arrangements, with our neighborhood families. Our synagogue prides itself on its
home-hospitality.
Whether you are searching for a place to pray, meet
people, study, or educate your children, we hope you will find Congregation Rodfei Sholom
to be a synagogue in which you feel welcome, comfortable, inspired, and energized. We
invite you to panicipate in our worship services, holiday celebrations, social functions,
and educational opportunities to better acquaint yourself with our membership and all we
have to offer.
For information on membership, our dues structure, our religious
school, our educational programming, and informal tour of our facility, and more please
feel free to call the synagogue office at (210) 493-3557, fax (210) 492-0629.
Questions or comments? Please
e-mail to
Congregation Rodfei Sholom
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Sholom Synagogue
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