Havurah Initiative
The havurah initiative at CBI supports the development of homegrown, peer-led, Jewish micro-communities that foster deep interpersonal connection among members.
There are many ways for us to build community and to find meaning at the intersection of our Jewish identities—as parents, young adults, spiritual seekers, outdoor enthusiasts, bakers, and more. The havurah initiative is a platform that supports opportunities to share Shabbat, to learn together, to share stories, to explore interests, and to incorporate Jewish ritual into our lives. Havurot are open to both CBI members and non-members.
Havurot have 7 to15 members, meet 9 times per year or more, have a Jewish focus, and share leadership among its members. These are intended to be small groups of committed members who meet regularly. Each havurah has a connector or co-connectors who cultivate the vision of the havurah, manage communication and scheduling, and report back to the CBI havurah coordinator.
Funding by the Harold Grinspoon Foundation provides program funds and stipends to connectors for the first two years. Learn more about this initiative from the Harold Grinspoon Foundation.
Join a Havurah
Email Amy Stein to learn more about joining a havurah.
Havurot that are open to new members:
Survivors of Childhood Sexual Abuse
In this Havurah we will meet to share our stories of our childhood sexual abuse in hopes that connecting in a group will help us heal collectively. We will read healing texts – prayers, poems and even sing songs. Group members can bring art, poems and songs that they created that are helping with their healing process. We will share our pain and be witnessed by others. We will end with a meditation. During our shares we will simply witness and listen and not respond to anything the person shared. We know that being heard and having space held for us is how we transform our isolating pain to an empowering connection. Our shares can be about what happened in childhood or anything else we are dealing with currently. For the sake of everyone in the room, our shares won’t contain graphic details. If our abusers are Jewish and give us complicated feelings regarding Judaism, we will work to disentangle the abuse from Judaism and find ways to heal with Jewish prayers. If our abusers are family members, we will find ways to create new family, and new loving relationships. We will do rituals to remove the abuse from our bodies. We will find ways to not be steered by these deep wounds anymore. We know that healing is possible, especially when we are together, especially when we share our pain and when we hold the pain of others. This will be a peer-led group. It is not therapy and will not be run by a therapist. We meet the second Thursday of every month at 7:00pm on Zoom. Email Amy Stein for the Zoom link. If you wish to remain anonymous you can email Amy with a different email or name. We won’t disclose any information that is shared in the meetings nor will we disclose who comes to the meetings. This havurah centers queer and trans people, plus allies.
Comedy Improv (Heidi Haas)
Throughout Jewish history, humor has been a key strategy in persevering through difficult times. This comedy improv havurah gathers twice monthly on Monday evenings to practice comedy improv techniques together. If you have any experience- however limited- in comedy, improv, or acting, you’re welcome to join us as we play short- and long-form games and hone our improv skills as individuals and as a group. We are creating a space to foster connection and nourish our souls through playfulness.
Documentary Films (Ellen Pader)
For people of all ages who are interested in learning through the art and substance of the documentary film genre. Films are chosen by the group, streamed between meetings, and discussed in monthly gatherings on the second Thursday of each month with food and socializing. A hybrid option is also available. Reach out to Ellen Pader pader@comcast.net for more information.
The Found Tribe: A Jews of Color Havurah (Emet Marwell)
Are you a Jew of Color (JOC) looking for a tight-knit community with others who truly understand both the challenges and joys of being a JOC? Join The Found Tribe, a havurah for self-identified JOCs to build community, find support, go on fun adventures, and just hang out.
*A note on the name: Out of the 12 Tribes of Israel, 10 are considered lost. Many have theorized that specific pockets of Jewish communities (who often could be considered People of Color) around the world are descendants of one of the Lost Tribes. The name “The Found Tribe” evokes a sense of belonging and reclamation of JOC’s place in Jewish spaces.
Hearing Our Voices, Knowing Our Stories: Women in Jewish Texts (Tiertza-Leah Schwartz)
Interested in learning about the stories of women in Jewish texts? Wondering what their relevance is to us today? Join for a monthly discussion of Jewish women in text. We'll read, learn, and explore the stories of these powerful ancestors. We meet monthly on the second Tuesday of the month from 5:15-6:45 mostly on Zoom and occasionally in person.
Jews Read Palestinian Stories (Judi Wisch)
Many of us grew up celebrating the 20th century miracle of Israel reborn as political state. Our hearts are breaking over the unimaginable violence and loss of life of Israelis and Palestinians this year. Might reading the personal narratives of Palestinians over this last century shed light on our understanding of the conflict? Might we be able to simultaneously hold the stories and pain of both peoples? This monthly intergenerational gathering is an opportunity to come together with others who like to read and who are interested in better understanding the experience of Palestinians through their own voices. Participants will help select what is read, and may include books (fiction and non-fiction), short stories, and poetry. Meetings are held on the third Sunday of each month from 4:00–6:00 pm. If you are interested in learning more, please fill out this short Google form.
Mah Jongg (Beverly Blatt)
Monthly gatherings bring people together for playing, conversation, and learning. All levels are welcome including those new to the game who can learn from experienced players in the group. Meetings are held at CBI on the first Thursday evening of the month.
Mazel Tots, for Gan Keshet Families (Aaron Berkenwald)
A Havurah for parents with young children in Gan Keshet to gather, “kvetch and kvell” about the ups and downs of parenthood. Bagels and coffee included. Come share stories, exchange tips and create lasting friendships with other jewish parents in the community.
River Valley Avodat Lev (Isabel Marcus)
Avodat Lev, meaning “heart work”, is a songful, contemplative prayer practice that follows the format of the weekday services in a mix of simple chants, meditations, and poetry in Hebrew and English. The practice is meant to guide us in greeting the afternoon/evening, acknowledging our own holiness and our connection to the holiness of Creation, expressing gratitude, and setting an intention for the month/ season ahead. Avodat Lev was developed by the Adamah program at Isabella Freedman. No prior prayer knowledge or practice is required and all are welcome. Services are held on the 4th Wednesday of the month from 6:30-7:30 pm, at Temple Israel Greenfield. In the warmer months, the services are held outside at Temple Israel.
Ukulele (Donna Sarro)
Fans of the ukulele unite! Whether you are an experienced player or are brand new to this instrument and want to learn, this havurah is for you. Gatherings include playing, learning, singing, and exploring music ranging from Jewish music and klezmer to all kinds of secular music that members of the group want to play together. Some instruments will be available to borrow. Meetings are held every two weeks at 6:00 pm on the 1st and 3rd Mondays of the month.
CBI Havurot that have reached capacity and are currently closed:
Am Yisrael Chai-vurah (Leah Finch)
Caregivers Havurah (Naomi Tannen)
Documentary Films (Ellen Pader)
Jewish Cultural Artists (Rachel Leader)
Jewish History and Life (Henny Lewin)
Ladyslipper Shtetl (Aaron Kagan)
Men’s Group (Owen Mitz)
Rosh Chodesh, New Moon Rising (Sylvie Jensen)
Shabbat Dinner (Jan Nettler)
Veg Pod (Elly Alexander)
Wounds into Wisdom (Leslie Leff)
Start a New Havurah
We are currently accepting applications for new havurot. Each havurah must have a connector who serves as a lead organizer. While havurot are intended to be non-hierarchical and peer-led, the connector plays a critical role in managing communication and scheduling for the group, cultivating the vision of the havurah, filing reports, and attending check-in meetings with CBI's havurah coordinator. Connectors are paid a stipend for the first two years for their work getting the group up and running. Rolling deadline for applying, one year commitment to the project.
Complete this application and email it to Amy Stein. Please reach out to Amy if you have questions.
