Imagine small groups of people coming together regularly to learn and connect around topics of shared interests or life stages. Some pioneering synagogues are doing just that, drawing on the notion of chavurot - typically small groups of friends who gather to learn or worship together - to transform their congregations into destinations for meaning and relationships.
A recent article in eJewish Philanthropy highlights how congregations are using small groups to great effect for its members. For example, these leaders envision small groups not as a program, but a philosophy. “Congregations successfully using this model are rethinking their membership engagement strategies with an eye toward making all areas of synagogue life – from Torah study to scholar-in-residence initiatives and from worship to social action – more relational,” according to the article.
One way to get started is to create affinity groups around a topic of interest and concern. An in-depth look at a topic with emotional resonance is one way to engage people and create pathways for the congregation to become a go-to resource and relationship-builder.
Topic: Aging
Wise Aging: Living with Joy, Resilience, and Spirit, published in 2015, helps groups of older adults consider aging in a new light. It focuses on often-ignored subjects such as relationships, romance, living with loss, cultivating well-being, and shaping a legacy. It also shifts the conversation to opportunities and tools that readers can use to live their lives more fully.
Many Jewish communities are using Wise Aging, by Rabbi Rachel Cowan and Dr. Linda Thal, as a guide, in small groups that combine Jewish texts and secular writings with exercises on mindfulness and meditation, heartfelt discussion, and prayer to challenge participants to embrace this third chapter of their lives.
In the Boston area, The Jewish Journal featured a group at Temple Ahavat Achim, of about 30 congregants, age 55-90, who study together using the book. One of its leaders says small groups offer a great model for synagogues and points to research showing that the single most important factor in staving off the ill effects of aging is staying connected and being part of community.
Topic: Parenting
The Joys & Oys of Parenting: Insight and Wisdom from the Jewish Tradition, coming in October, can bring adults with young children together in a way that helps them bond over the challenges they face in daily family life. Jewish tradition offers timeless wisdom, values, and guidance to help parents of all faiths and backgrounds, and the book applies problem-solving techniques to just about every parenting challenge.
A discussion guide at the end of the book provides a framework for engaging parents - as well as grandparents, foster and stepparents - in small, ongoing groups to reflect on their own practices and develop new ideas, centered around and inspired by ideas from this book.
Read the full story from eJewish Philanthropy here.
