ENGAGEMENT IN OUR OWN WORDS

For many years, when I said the word “engagement,” I was met with either a blank stare or an eye roll, there she goes again But engagement isn’t simply soft heartedness nor is it a mystery Engagement is intentionally building relationships and connections

When my parents were starting their married life in Indianapolis, they weren’t welcome to join local swimming or country clubs Rather, their friends, social life, and community were exclusively centered on IHC

IHC Circles or small groups are an exceptional way to connect with people and build friendships. They are also a great way to make a large congregation like IHC seem much smaller and more accessible. IHC Circles are conceived and led by us (members) and are formed around common interests and experiences, ages and stages of life, and professions. Ideas for IHC Circles are endless and come from you.

Right now, there are circles for hikers, card sharks, wine lovers, families with young children, young professionals, adventurous eaters, mental health professionals, and many more. Join a circle or bring your own idea and see for yourself how getting to know others at IHC makes a difference in your life. It’s so clear, you belong at IHC!

Times have changed, thank goodness, and the happy news is that Jews are more broadly accepted. And the challenging news is that Jews are more broadly accepted so that now, we build relationships and forge friendship at work, in civic organizations, volunteering with nonprofits … not solely at the synagogue.

As a result, we must be intentional about connecting people with other people, with IHC, and with Jewish life. Like the bar in Cheers, it’s more meaningful to be at IHC when somebody knows your name and you know theirs.

Patti Freeman Dorson Engagement Committee

When my family and I began attending services at IHC, it didn’t take long for me to realize that I had found a spiritual home. Something that was equally important to me when joining IHC was to feel like I was truly part of a community. That is what being involved with Sisterhood has done for me, personally. IHC is a wonderfully vibrant community with many ways to be involved. There are several programs that have made my family feel welcome and engaged with the IHC community. However, as a stay at home mom, I wanted to make sure I found a place for myself that allowed me to be something other than someone’s mother. Attending Sisterhood events has given me the opportunity to get to know women I may have not otherwise gotten to meet and has helped me form new friendships. Volunteering through Sisterhood, perhaps selfishly, is one of my favorite activities. While I may be giving my time to do something helpful, I am getting much more out of these experiences than I am giving. I am able to get out of the house, spend time talking with other adults and on days when I have to bring my now 5 month old along, everyone is always excited to see her. Getting involved with Sisterhood has been the best thing for my mental health since my youngest was born and for that I am eternally grateful.

Monica Allardt Sisterhood Member

The highlight of my 2022 was my increased involvement in the IHC community. I have happy memories of growing up attending this synagogue with my family. My husband and our sons now share my deep connection to IHC and are enjoying new experiences as members. We look forward to singing along with friends at Tot Shabbat each month. Last year, I was searching for my own way to contribute and connect with the Jewish community that means so much to our family. I engaged with the temple Sisterhood and felt immediately welcomed and embraced. I joined the Social Action Committee and was moved by the significant impact of the programs that this group makes possible. I especially enjoyed participating in donating Thanksgiving baskets to Greenbriar families. Throughout my experience with this committee, I am reminded of how important it is to care for the members of our community in need.

A huge benefit of this experience has been the frequent opportunities that Sisterhood provides to gather and celebrate with strong women guided by Jewish values. I enjoyed attending events such as Hanukkah Sip & Shop and Sisters in the Sukkah. I was able to reconnect with old friends and make new ones. I highly recommend involvement with Sisterhood to strengthen our community, connect with inspiring women, and have fun!

Abigail Katz Sisterhood Member

Shortly after arriving to Indianapolis and joining IHC in September 2021, I became an active member of the Brit Olam social justice committee After IHC’s social justice task force commissioned a congregational listening campaign on social justice, I joined a small team that reached more than 150 congregants and conducted nearly 50 long-form conversational interviews to discuss how IHC should address social justice

With those survey results identifying voting rights as an issue of broad concern among the congregation, I organized three events postcard-writing events that dozens of members took part in. The goal was to connect with voters from historically suppressed communities and encourage them exercise their right to vote. For me, tikkun olam (repair the world) is the one Jewish value that has always stuck out to me. It has been a nobrainer to do what I can to make this world better for others. IHC is a place where people can embrace social justice, in its many forms, and feel like they are truly making an impact in our community.

Forrest Gatrell Brit Olam

On this team, I used my experience in political science and data analytics to draft several survey designs, data analysis, and presentation materials for the larger IHC community, while also engaging with dozens of members to create stronger relationships.