Image courtesy of Kol Tzedek.

West Philly’s reconstructionist synagogue, Kol Tzedek, invites community members to celebrate the High Holidays at their home at Calvary Center on 48th and Baltimore.

The schedule for Rosh Hashanah (October 2-4) and Yom Kippur (October 11-12) includes traditional services, great children’s programming, meditation and yoga, social justice teachings, and a break-fast at Calvary Center, and Tashlich at Bartram’s Gardens.

At Kol Tzedek, expect to celebrate the High Holidays with creativity, introspection, prayer, song, learning, and community. Their theme this year is Vulnerability.

You can find more information and register at: http://www.kol-tzedek.org/high-holidays.html.

Kol Tzedek always welcomes practicing Jews, non-practicing Jews, and non-Jews who are interested in learning more, and particularly extends a hand to interfaith families, Jews of color, and LGBTQ visitors. Non-members are also welcome to join Kol Tzedek for High Holidays and any other events and services.

Just recently, Kol Tzedek welcomed a new rabbi, Rabbi Ari Lev Fornari. Read more about it here.

Photo by Ryan Collerd, courtesy University City District.

It’s hard to believe it but The Porch at 30th Street Station is celebrating its 5th anniversary this week. It opened in the fall of 2011 and transformed a parking lot and a dangerous walkway outside of the nation’s second busiest train stations into a vibrant and pedestrian-friendly public space complete with tables and chairs, umbrellas, swings and greenery.

The Porch’s 5th Anniversary Party will be held on Wednesday, Sept. 28 (weather permitting) and will feature food, drinks, giveaways, and music. University City District (UCD), who operates and programs The Porch, is partnering with 33rd Street Hospitality and Jet Wine Bar to bring $5 food and drink specials in honor of the five years since The Porch debuted.

Since its introduction in 2011, The Porch at 30th Street Station has been offering seasonal horticulture, special events, and lunch service from local food trucks. The Porch was Philadelphia’s first “lighter quicker cheaper” public space, and originally involved simple, cost-effective, and fully removable elements.

Five years later, The Porch has evolved into a more permanent mainstay, with elements contributed by Groundswell Design Group, Gehl Studio, and Visit Philly. The Porch has also cemented itself as a popular gathering space for commuters, local workers, and visitors to Philadelphia looking for a space to lounge and linger.  Continue Reading

On Saturday, Sept. 24, community members and guests are invited to celebrate Viola Street in the Parkside section of West Philadelphia. There will be food, music, African dancers, an oral history project, community asset mapping, and other activities. The event highlights the history of the area and is a collaborative effort between residents of Parkside and neighborhood organizations, such as Viola Street Residents Association, and various large city organizations, such as Fairmount Park Conservancy, Free Library of Philadelphia, and the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society.

The event will be held from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. on in the Viola Street Alley (42nd Street between Parkside Avenue and Viola Street; see map below).

In the recent years, there have been efforts to revitalize the area, including fixing up historic Flemish Revival brick row homes, turning vacant properties into new residences and greening the street. Read more about these efforts here.

While scientists agree that many common assumptions about race are wrong the consequences of racism are very real. This fall, the Penn Museum (3260 South St) on the University of Pennsylvania campus, will bring together more than two dozen internationally recognized experts from diverse backgrounds for an in-depth and powerful exploration about race, science, and justice in a free series of five evening classes geared to adults and young adults (14 and above).

The Public Classroom @ Penn Museum: Science and Race: History, Use, and Abuse will run non-consecutive Wednesdays, 6:30 to 9:30 p.m., beginning September 21 (September 28; October 26; November 9; November 16). Individuals can sign up for one, several, or all sessions. Seating is limited and advance registration is recommended. Interested individuals can sign up at: penn.museum/pmclassroom.

For those who can’t attend the program at the museum, there will be live streaming of the program on the website.  Continue Reading

                Shooting victim Sara Salih

While the man whose shooting rampage had parts of West Philly in fear on Friday night expressed a hatred for police, the bullets he fired did far more damage to innocent people in the neighborhood.

Stories have emerged about other victims, including 25-year-old Sara Salih. She was killed when shooter Nicholas Glenn began firing shots at random bystanders as he fled after firing 18 shots at a police officer at 52nd and Sansom. Police later killed Glenn in a shootout near 48th and Sansom.

Salih’s father, an Ethiopian immigrant who heard the shots that killed his daughter, talked to Philadelphia Inquirer Sam Wood about the tragedy.

UPDATE: Sara’s friends have created a GoFundMe page to help her family.

The Inquirer‘s Stephanie Farr reported the story of Martice Washington, a bouncer at Maximum Level Lounge near 52nd and Sansom (one of his three jobs) who was shot in both legs. Washington has two children and is married to a Philadelphia police officer, according to reports. Continue Reading

One of the largest and longest running community porch sales, the Hamilton Street Porch Sale, will be held this Saturday (Sept. 17), from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. Every year, more than 100 vendors sell their wares, such as household items, clothes, cookware, books, and many other items at this four-block long porch sale, from 34th to 38th Streets in Powelton Village. There will also be food and drinks prepared by neighbors and local organizations.

Hamilton Street Porch Sale began in 1981 and is still going strong! The sale is usually held on the 2nd Saturday after Labor Day every, but this year was postponed by one week. Rain date is Sunday, Sept. 18.

Check out the event’s Facebook page for more information and photos. If you would like to get involved, email: HamiltonStreetPorchSale@gmail.com