PROGRAMMING ............................................................................................................................................................................ A wide array of interesting and joyful programming took place, mostly of the musical, educational, and gastronomic varieties, attracting capacity crowds.
• Three community Shabbat dinners were held, including a musically inspired dinner featuring Hazzan Ari Priven, a dinner with the MTM Fellows and Cantorial Intern, and a dinner dedicated to the Havurot members at BJ.
• Seven Oneg Shabbat celebrations, each attended by over 350 people, took place, with entertainment provided by artists such as: Soul Farm, Pharaoh’s Daughter, Hazzan George Mordechai, Agada, Pizmon, Sheba Ensemble, Margot Leverett and the Klezmer Mountain Boys, and BJ’s own musicians.
• Eight Onegs began with a sit-down Shabbat dinner for 120 people, each dinner targeting a different age group.
• 20 community Kiddushim were held, including: • Kiddushim in honor of former Board President Susan Kippur and new Board President Jonathan Adelsberg; BJ members since 1990; BJ members who attended BJ trips over the years; BJ committee chairs. • Kiddushim in honor of b’nai mitzvah, baby-namings, and significant anniversaries. • Kiddushim with study sessions led by MTM Fellows Rabbi Esther Lederman and Ezra Weinberg, lay leaders Peninnah Schram and Rafi Haham, and Rabbi Julian Sinclair of Hazon.
• The Havurot initiative at BJ continued in order to foster deeper community connections. • Music filled the sanctuary at a concert featuring BJ musicians attended by 350 people and at a Tu Bishevat concert, featuring the poetry of Rav Kook, attended by over 200 people.
• The second night Community Seder was attended by 120 participants. TZE’IRIM ............................................................................................................................................................................ Tze’irim, the 20s and 30s group, has had a year filled with an eclectic variety of programs. Our leadership has grown and become more organized, and our events are always packed with vibrant, young energy.
• Membership and Engagement • 106 individuals took advantage of the special Tze’irim Membership rate and joined BJ. • A New Members Dinner attended by 45 people was a product of increased outreach efforts. • 25 new leaders were engaged in the work of Tze’irim. • A new leadership training program drew 18 participants. • New programming and outreach began for members in their 30s. • More attractive promotional materials, including the targeted weekly mail (which is sent to over 600 people) and biweekly fliers, were developed; in addition, the Tze’irim Limud outreach list grew by 70%.
• Shabbat, Holidays, and Other Programming • The number of home-hosted Shabbat dinners per month increased. • A house meeting to engage new leaders in Shabbat programming was hosted. • Holiday programming expanded, including a Rosh Hashanah picnic, a Sukkah Dessert Party, Simhat Torah L’Hayim, and Hanukkah and Passover limud and bar nights. • Three Shabbat Community dinners attended by 120 participants each were organized. • A Bikkur Holim training for 15 participants was held.
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• Members organized new social events, including karaoke, football in the park, and Ultimate Frisbee.