HAVUROT AT TEMPLE ALIYAH: CREATING A MORE INTIMATE CONGREGATION

What is a Havurah?
The word havurah comes from the Hebrew word “haver”, which means friend. A havurah is a small group of families, couples, or individuals who share common interests and a desire to gather together on a regular basis in order to develop their own close knit Jewish community, a smaller group within our larger Temple Aliyah congregational family.
Havurot (the plural of havurah) can enhance the synagogue experience by creating a more intimate setting and encouraging Jewish growth and experimentation with the support of friends.

How Does a Havurah Work?
Havurot are formed, with the assistance of the synagogue, of synagogue member families, couples, or individuals who share similar interests. Each havurah is comprised of 5-8 families/couples who meet on a regular basis, usually monthly. Program locations rotate at each member’s home. The nature of the meetings depends on the group’s collective desires. Some havurot choose to focus on Shabbat and holiday celebrations or Jewish study and discussions in their yearly calendars. Havurot often choose rotating coordinators to manage administrative duties such as calendar coordination and participation in a synagogue havurah committee. After a havurah is formed, the synagogue continues to offer support by lending program ideas and administrative support; however, each havurah guides its own activities and direction. The havurah empowers its members, encouraging them to live and learn Jewishly, without relying solely on Jewish professionals.

Imagine the Possiblities…
Havurah membership offers a wide range of benefits for the entire family. Some of these include:

• Forming close bonds with people who share your interests and are at a similar stage in life.
• Exploring Judaism in a supportive environment.
• Reinforcing Jewish and family values for you and your children.
• Making Judaism come alive!

Get Involved…
To learn more about havurot at Temple Aliyah or to get involved with a havurah, please call our Community EducationDirector, Bryan Wexler, at (781) 444-8522 or email him at bryan@templealiyah.com.