Chavurot

One of the best ways to build community and foster friendship among our Temple members is to join a chavurah.  Families and individuals with similar interests or ages meet on a regular basis to  share new and exciting experiences in a social setting.  If you are not familiar with chavurah, here is a brief explanation of it and its benefits. "Chavurah" is from the Hebrew word, "chaver", for friend.  A chavurah consists of a small group of people (from 7 - 9 families or perhaps 10 -12 individuals) that plan events together on a regular basis.  They might share a Shabbat dinner, go on family outings, have a Hanukkah party, and many other social activities.  It gives individuals a chance to get to know other people in a small group setting.  Children can also make closer friendships as well for a family chavurah. Joining a chavurah can make temple participation more meaningful and help facilitate a deeper sense of connection to the greater temple community.

There is no limit to what you can do, but here are some ideas for chavurah get-togethers:

•   Have a potluck Shabbat dinner, then go to services (or not); meet at a Temple dinner before Shabbat Unplugged or Shabbat B’Yachad
•   Havdalah at a member’s home (with or without dinner) -- learn about Havdalah -- or at beach/park
•   Cultural/Social:  Read a Jewish book together, movie, play, go to an exhibit/museum, field trips to the Planetarium, kids museum, etc.
•   Study about a holiday together - Passover preparation, High Holidays, Tu B’shvat (with children, maybe go to visit Tree People and link it with holidays)
•   Collect food for a food bank together; go to Midnight Mission to make sandwiches
•   Have a discussion about Jewish topics - for example, the “December Dilemma”; Jewish views about God
•   Work together on a Temple project:  Deliver Mishloach Manot, go to the Minyan, deliver meals for a week to a homebound congregant, sit together at Purim Ball, sponsor a booth and work at Purim Carnival
•   Get to know each other: share stories of growing up
•   For families:  hire babysitter from ECC to do kids projects and parents can learn together
•   Build a sukkah together; learn about Sukkot
• Join the Book Group chavurah and engage in interesting discussions

Many Temple Emauel chavurot are already flourishing.  Maybe you and your family would like to participate.  We encourage you to consider this.

If you or your family or other Temple Emanuel members would like to join a chavurah, please click here to download our Chavurah Application. For information about chavurot, contact TEBHChavurot@gmail.com.