HAVUROT

"We must redefine BJ as a community of communities and encourage each member to be part of small fellowship groups (Havurot) which make meaningful experiences of prayer, study, and acts of loving kindness."

- from "Realizing our Vision"

What is a Havurah?

• All members of the Havurah make a commitment to the group to meet once a month.

• The Havurah seeks to translate into our lives the intimacy of living a Jewish life which is based on the principles of Torah (study), avodah (prayer) and gemilut hasadim (acts of loving kindness).

• The Havurah is not just a social group, or a study group, or a social action group, or a prayer group. We strive toward an integrated celebration of Jewish life.

Havurot friends develop a special awareness and sensitivity for having experienced a more intense communal life. By sharing the most joyous moments and the times of sadness and pain when we must hold each other with love, BJ becomes a Havurah of Havurot – a community of communities, a family of families.

Havurot at BJ

\nGay Men's Havurah Introductory Planning Meeting
Announcing a new gay men's Havurah at BJ, open to all ages (Havurah is Hebrew for \"fellowship group\"). We will hold a planning meeting Monday, August 2, at 7:00PM. Regular meetings will begin after Labor Day (September 6). Monthly events will include Shabbat celebrations, dinners, lectures, retreats and other trips. For more information, e-mail Jonathan Baron or call (212) 663-6702.\n

Calling all Havurot and Havdalah Groups
Let us know about you. We would like to know more about how you got started, who is in your group and if you need any help with resource materials etc. Contact Rabbi Felicia Sol at x222, fsol@bj.org or fax: (212)579-2282.

The following groups are forming and/or need more participants. If you are interested in joining any of the following specific havurot, please fill out a havurah form online, pick up a hard copy at the back of the sanctuary or call Rabbi Felicia Sol at x222.

• Let's Jam in Yiddish
  A new havurah is forming in January for people who want to kvetch, kvell, and kibbitz in Yiddish. If you are interested, please contact Rachel Kneitel at (212)752-7930 or kneitelr@yahoo.com.
• Men's Havurah
  The Men's Havurah meets every other Monday at 7:00 PM. There's still room to join this unique circle of men as we gather to create a stimulating spiritual dialogue. For information, e-mail Sonny Greenwald or call (212)769-0350.
• Musician's Havurah
  Share and teach your favorite music and jam with other BJ members who are inspired by and love playing Jewish music. For more info, contact e-mail Matt Fried or Matt Turk.
• Members 40-60
  Join us study and service activities connected to BJ. For more information or call Jerry at (212)595-2260.
• Single Parents
  We are a fun group who are either divorced, single by choice, or widowed. We meet once a month for an adults only Shabbat dinner or Sunday brunch, or for an activity that includes our children. For info, contact David at djzagorski@hotmail.com.