SINCE THE LAST VOICE

You spoke. We heard you. The overwhelming response to our year-long set of focus groups and our congregation-wide survey was that you want to feel more connected – connected not just to us as clergy and to Temple’s beautiful building and grounds, but connected to one another. When was the last time you felt the warmth and joy of sitting around a Shabbat dinner table, laughing and eating good food with people you care about? Do you have a hobby, skill, or interest, and like being around other people who share your same passions?

We are thrilled to introduce to you a radically different way of connecting to your Jewish community, which we are calling Temple Tribes. By bringing you together in small, intimate groups of people who share your interests, neighborhoods, and/or life stages, we hope to help you foster deep and lasting friendships while connecting over the things you already love, in a convenient way that matches your lifestyle. We already have Tribes as diverse as rock climbing, bird watching, drinking wine, brewing beer, going to concerts, exercising, playing mah-jongg, studying Jewish texts, and so many more.

But, Tribes don’t stop at playing and learning together. As Jews, we know that gathering for Shabbat dinner is like comfort food for the soul – sharing our triumphs, our struggles, and the everyday goings-on that form the mosaic of our lives. So, in addition to shared interest groups, we hope you will find your Shabbat Tribe to gather and break bread every month or so.

You may be thinking to yourself, this sounds nice and all, but I already have friends. Well, bring them along. Start a Tribe with a few of your closest friends, and let us introduce you to a few more folks you will love, but you don’t know yet.

We are blessed to be part of a congregation of literally thousands of wonderful people with diverse careers, passions, and hometowns. Join us, and let Temple help you FIND YOUR TRIBE among them. Special thanks to Temple Trustees, Bruce Landau and Mark Levine, for their leadership and partnership in making this initiative a reality.

L’shalom, Rabbi Jeff Dreifus and Faith Ruch, Director of Congregational Engagement