Creating Kehillah (Community)
While we seek to become a kehillah kedoshah – a sacred community – B'nai Jeshurun is actually a "community of communities" which strives to enhance members' feelings of intimacy and connection with each other and to the synagogue. Through gemilut hasidim (acts of loving kindness), hakhnasat orhim (hospitality), and participation in havurot (small fellowship groups), members become an integral part of the B'nai Jeshurun family.
As a kehillah kedoshah, B'nai Jeshurun provides sacred opportunities for all members to celebrate together in times of joy, to support each other through times of hardship, and to experience Jewish living together. Bikkur Holim (visiting the sick), Hevrah Kadishah (comforting mourners), and opening our homes to guests on Shabbat are just some of the ways we can solidify the bonds of friendship, love, and community.
Committees and Programs
Bikkur Holim (Visiting the Ill)
Chairs: Jeannie Blaustein and Barbara Goldman
Contact: Susan Kalev, x377
Bikkur Holim is performing the mitzvah of providing comfort to those who are ill, whether they suffer the pains of the body or spirit. Visiting, making phone calls, providing food and transportation are but a few examples of how we offer comfort. In addition to this support, we provide outreach to the frail elderly, to people with chronic, long-term illness, and to those with special needs. Information and support is also available for caregivers. Education and training is offered to all participants and special events are planned throughout the year.
Needed: People to be trained to visit and support those requesting comfort, either in person or by phone. Members with good organizational skills are also needed to help with coordinating support teams, outreach, and event planning.
Hakhanasat Orhim (Welcoming Guests)
Contacts: Yael Hammerman, x255
Hakhanasat Orhim, literally 'gathering guests', is a committee that has been developed to help meet the challenge of B'nai Jeshurun's growing size, specifically the need to ensure that BJ's hospitality and welcoming atmosphere is extended to all members of the community as well as to visitors and guests. We are also concerned with creating a sense of intimacy within the greater community of BJ as well as establishing Shabbat and hagim (holidays) as times that we open our homes to others.
Needed: People who are committed to serving God by embracing others in our community; people to host at Community Kiddushim and Shabbat B'yahad; people to open their homes to guests on Shabbat and to participate in Se'udah Matcheson the holidays.
Havurot (Small Fellowship Groups)
Contact: Yael Hammerman, x255
A Havurah is a small group of like-minded synagogue members who join together to create deeper community connections by reinforcing the spirit of Judaism through sharing and celebrating Jewish life together. If you desire to be part of a more intimate community within BJ, we invite you to join a Havurah this Spring. If you are interested in participating in a Havurah with people of similar interests and backgrounds, to informally meet together, share and learn, please complete a Havurah application here: BJ Havurah Application by Friday, May 16, 2008.
Once we receive your completed Havurah application, we will try to match you with other BJ members with similar interests, backgrounds and requests. You will be contacted in late May in regard to your Havurah placement and will be invited to a launch of your Havurah. Please note that it may not be possible to place you in a Havurah that matches all of your desired criteria. Questions? Please contact Yael Hammerman at yhammerman@bj.org x255.
Hevra Kadisha (Comforting Mourners)
Chairs: Penny Dannenberg, Bob Gruenspecht, Michael Bailenson
Contact: Amanda Schanfield, x233
The death of a loved one brings about feelings of loss, sadness, confusion and loneliness. We are there to comfort and support the bereaved from the time of death through the period of shiva.
Needed: People to form a minyan so mourners can say kaddish at home (no knowledge of Hebrew is required), to escort mourners into Friday night services, to assist in coordinating phone trees, to perform the mitzvah of taharah (the ritual cleansing and dressing of the body), or to sit sh'mirah (the guarding of the body and reading of psalms before burial). Orientation and training are provided.
Kiddushim
Contact: Yael Hammerman, x255
The Kiddush committee seeks to foster a sense of community by providing a warm and welcoming place to gather after Shabbat services enabling members to connect with each other in a meaningful way.
Needed: Hosts to help people who are new to the community meet others; people who enjoy creating a friendly and inviting setting for the community to come together.
LeDor Vador
Contact: Asya Berger, x334
Ledor Vador is focused on building a stronger sense of community at B'nai Jeshurun. Our elders are the keepers of our wisdom. Ledor Vador Is dedicated to perpetuating the connections between generations. We seek to keep our Elders integrated in the BJ community, so that other generations may benefit from their wisdom and their living histories. Our programs offer opportunities to learn, to socialize, and fellowship. Programs include Ledor Vador luncheons following Shabbat services, the Hebrew School and Elder experiences, story-sharing programs, and educational events for our Elders as well as for 'adult' children.Needed: Volunteers of all ages to help create, organize and participate in our variety of programming.
Shabbat B'Yahad
Sue Fein, Bonnie Oglensky, Elana Weinberg
Contact: Yael Hammerman, x255
The Shabbat B'Yahad committee is responsible for organizing our once-a-month community Shabbat dinners featuring good food, fellowship, singing and study.
Needed: Volunteers to help set the tables in Frankel Hall beginning at 5:00PM; people to help welcome and sign in guests following the early Shabbat service.
Ushering
Jeff Yablonka, Glenda Frank and Henry Weinberger
Contact: Sarah Guthartz, x234
Our ushers at B'nai Jeshurun help to create a place of welcome and comfort at services so that everyone can worship in peace. By taking on this mitzvah, you participate in creating a kehillah kedoshah, a holy community, at BJ and help to ensure that all who enter our sanctuary will be able to share an extraordinary Shabbat experience.
Needed: People to usher once a month at Shabbat services on Friday evenings or Saturday mornings, as well on hagim (festivals). Responsibilities include helping to provide security, safety, and comfort to the congregation, orienting newcomers to BJ, and assisting latecomers in finding seats. Training and orientation will be arranged.