Arnie Goldfein and Rabbi Nahum Simon, Co-Executive Directors of

Rodfei Shalom Fellowship, Inc.

Events for ALL Jews ALL 12 Step recovery programs

                 COMBINING RECOVERY (Heart) AND SPIRITUALITY (Soul) WITHIN JUDAISM

  WEEKLY RECOVERY NEWSLETTER – 2/4/08

Hi Everybody,

I really don't know where to begin. Recovery is abounding in many ways!!! So, let's just get right down to it.

Now that's its February, we are full speed ahead with our membership drive. Our Board decided at their meeting last Monday that we should attempt to recruit 100 new members. Ok, we thought, so it's a wonderful lofty goal and the well known phrase that "membership has its privileges" immediately came to mind. Membership allows for discounts to our events, continued newsletters and advanced news of upcoming events, among other things. The benefit to our organization is obvious in that the funds allow us to cover day-to-day costs associated with membership events. So, off to work we went in our attempt to bring in our 100 new members. BUT WAIT!!!!

Now for some unbelievable news. The Board decided on a wonderful offer to make this all worthwhile. If anyone signs up for membership in the month of February, we will send you copies of the CD's of both of our speakers, from our January Spiritual Day, of Rabbi Abe Twerski and Rabbi Nahum S., ABSOLUTELY FREE, just pay $4.95 for domestic shipping. Yearly membership is only $20.00 for Individuals; $36 for Families; $50 for Professionals and $100 for Institutions. As mentioned, membership entitles you to continued subscriptions to our Newsletter, discounts to our events and, now, free offers, like getting our speakers' CD's absolutely FREE!! This offer is valid only for anyone that signs up for membership in the month of February, 2008. Some limitations apply. Membership is renewable on an annual basis. Foreign shipping additional. Membership form attached. Please allow 14 days for delivery.

So, tell your friends and acquaintances!!! It's a great way of helping our organization, getting some great recovery and savings at the same time.  Simply fill in and return the attached membership form with payment or payment information and we'll get you out the free gift. Or, simply contact me via this email address or give a call at 718-261-4049.

Please help us spread the word!!! This is our only affordable means of communications.

Visit our website: www.rodfeishalom.org

Now for some more amazing news!!! Our Teffilin Facilitation Program now has yet another, new Donator. Yes, it's remarkable in recovery what people are willing to give back. Someone has stepped up to the plate and offered to be a Donator for our Teffilin Program. The new Donator's criteria are as follows: a) The individual must be in recovery from Alcohol, Drugs or Sexual Addiction. b) Be willing to commit to putting on the Teffilin once a week and c) Does not currently own a pair of Teffilin.         

If you feel you qualify for this program (remember, honesty is a key ingredient in recovery) and wish to apply, contact me via email at arnieg@rodfieshalom.org and I will send you the necessary paperwork to get things rolling. Once an individual qualifies and all the fine details are worked out, the Teffilin will be on their way.

For all those inquiring, the Teffilin are quality-made from a store in Boro Park. 

The Donators' guidelines are NOT meant to exclude those in other programs. It IS to do something positive for others and promote the Donators' particular requests.

If anyone else wishes to become a Teffilin Donator for any or all program people, please let me know. Or, if anyone wishes to start their own Good Deed Program and wish for us to facilitate it, let me know too. Let's see if we can do something here that I never even imagined or thought of – have others who are willing to be Givers, give. And have those who are not in the position to afford it, receive something to enhance both their recovery and Judaism.

1) NEW, NEW!!!! We are pleased to invite you to join us for an email Listserv discussion group for all those recovering from addiction to share their experience, strength, hope and Spirituality with other Jews in recovery.  There are no requirements to be a part of the discussion, as long as postings meet the guidelines that have been established. Just send your name, email address and a short paragraph introducing yourself to rebnahum@rodfeishalom.org. We will then send you a return email with instructions on how to sign into the group and begin receiving messages from all the discussion contributors.

People have been signing up and the discussion list has begun to take hold. Become a part of it and share your experience, strength and hope with everyone. It's a great way to become a part of our family.

2)  Our weekly call-in meeting continues on Wednesday nights, from 9:00 PM – 10:00 PM EDT, for the meeting and ½ hour or so afterwards for fellowship.  To join us, simply dial 218-486-1300 and enter the participant bridge code of: 933051.  Please join us and share your wisdom and experience. Please note: If you have unlimited long distance this is a FREE call!! If you are new to call-in meetings, may I suggest you give it a try. It truly is a wonderful experience and we offer a lot of love and support as well as sharing and fellowship.  It's also a great way for you to get some of our event information.

3)  Midwest Retreat Update:  Our Midwest Spiritual Retreat Recovery Weekend, with the support of The Jewish Healing Network of Chicago, is set for the Perlstein Retreat Center in Lake Delton, WI (about 70 minutes from Madison, WI). The food is Glatt Kosher and under the supervision of the CRC.  The event will take place March 7 – March 9, 2008, and promises to be wonderful. If the Florida retreat was any indication of what this event will be like – you can look forward to a warm, exciting, growth-filled weekend, in a safe environment.

Registrations are coming in!! Sign up and be part of a warm, recovery filled  weekend that will enlighten you and your spirit. We are getting the message out to as many people we can. Attached you will find a beautiful flyer the JHNC created as well as our brochure/registration form and Financial Assistance Form. Feel free to print out a few copies and pass them out to all your friends, acquaintances, others in recovery, etc.

3) MOVING FORWARD:  No more information here until we have more information to give you, nuff said!!

4) Spiritual Thought(s) for the Week:

Ø      "To be humble doesn't mean to think less of yourself, it means to think of yourself less" - Don Freeze.  > With thanks to Rabbi Yoel Margolese – who gets a Mazel Tov on the birth of a son!! Mazel Tov to the whole family!!

Ø       Faith lifts the staggering soul on one side; Hope supports it on the other; Experience says it must be—and Love says let it be." > Anonymous

Ø       Service, even when it is utterly selfless, ought to be guided by spiritual understanding; for selfless service, when unintelligently handled, often creates chaos and complications. It could even have the opposite of the desired effect.

The real danger in service lies more in the possibility of your rendering it from a false motive than in making a mistake about the spiritual demands of the situation. If you render service in order to oblige a person and if you feel proud of doing it, you are not only doing spiritual harm to the recipient of your service but also to yourself.  > With thanks to: charityfocus.com

 5) Recovery joke of the week: WOW!! Well the positive comments have actually continued about our jokes section!!!  So, in my attempt to bring a little smile and laughter to our recovery family, I am going to continue my crusade of publishing a joke. Now, I know what is funny to one person is not to another but I am doing this all in good humor – end of story – because I think in recovery we should laugh and have a good time!!

Ø       "They got me for a D.U.I. last night," the drunk raged to his friends. "But I think I'll win this case. They were profiling!"

"Profiling?" questioned his buddies.

"Yeah, last night the cops were stopping everyone driving on the sidewalk."

Richard M., Golden, Colorado

Ø       Groaned one boozer to his barroom buddy, "You think you've got problems–I lent a guy four grand for plastic surgery, and now I don't know what he looks like!" - Anonymous

An administrative note: If you know you're moving or changing your email address, please let us know beforehand to ensure continued delivery of your newsletters.

Well, that's it for this week. For more information about any of our activities or events, feel free to call me at 718-261-4049 or email me at arnieg@rodfeishalom.org.                        To have your name added to our email list, simply email me and I'll be more than happy to subscribe you. And, you can visit our website at www.rodfeishalom.org.

 Have a great Day – just for today.

 Arnie

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