|
Program Menu
About Beth Israel's Chavurah Program
The Chavurah program is available to members of Congregation Beth Israel and provides a wonderful way to get to know others and to build lasting friendships with fellow synagogue members. It is one of the many ways to enhance your experience as a temple member.
Apply to Join a Chavurah
Complete our Online Chavurah Application. For additional information, contact Chavurah Coordinator Judi Schwartz at 858 535-1111, ext. 3113. Placement is by careful consideration of personal interest and demographics, availability of space and through the creation of new chavurot.
|
Chavurah Spotlight
|
 One Saturday every month members of the “Shabbat Chavurah” gather together to eat, learn, and share friendships that span a decade and beyond.
“Shabbat Chavurah” is in quotation marks because the name is unofficial. If you ask members what we call ourselves or when we became a chavurah, the answers are imprecise. What is certain is that each gathering brings together a thoughtful group that loves good conversation and learning about all things Jewish. Whether it is a discussion of Israeli politics, or an exploration of Jewish responses to life’s most fundamental struggles, our group shares opinions that cover a wide spectrum. Wediscuss, debate, joke, laugh and at times cry together. Mostly, though, we enjoy each other’s company and usually leave a bit wiser than when we arrived.
Especially endearing for our group are celebrations we share for simchas and the support we provide for each other at times of sorrow. We have been there for each other for B’nai Mitzvah, family weddings, birthdays, and to remember loved ones who have died. We have a second family embodied by our brothers and sisters of the Shabbat Chavurah.
As with any family we sometimes disagree as we discuss and debate politics and religion. In the end, though, we leave enriched because of the shared learning and mutual respect that mark these spirited exchanges. Our extended chavurah family is a delightfully special extension of our larger Beth Israel community, special friendships for which we are grateful.
by Irv Kass |
|
|
by Barbara Gellman
 Our weekend began with "Self Defense for Seniors" at a local Karate Studio on Saturday. Fourteen of us gathered for an interactive demonstration with Rob, our young but patient and seasoned instructor. He discussed being prepared mentally and physically for various possible scenerios. Several different defense moves were practiced.
We then moved on to Lorna's Italian Restaurant for dinner and to Irv and Barb Gellman's home for dessert. Fair warning; don't sneak up on any of us, you may be surprised by our reaction!
On Sunday afternoon, Al and Naomi Eisman hosted us in their home, along with seven university students who are active Hillel members at UCSD and San Diego State. The young people shared their Jewish backgrounds, their campus experiences and what Hillel involvement means to them. The discussion was followed by a light supper that concluded our weekend programs. It was an interesting, educational and stimulating weekend for Kol Emet. |
|
 No doubt about it…social networking is front and center in today’s world and, across the generations, many of us are happily using Facebook and Twitter as part of our daily routine. But, social networking began long before we had computers and mobile phones.
We are so fortunate at Beth Israel to have one of the oldest and most successful social networking tools available to us in the form of our chavurah program. The word “chavurah” comes from the Hebrew "chaver" meaning friendship or fellowship. Chavurah members often become more like extended family as they share experiences and create memories with fellow congregants who gather to share Jewish life.
Ten years ago, I moved to La Jolla and joined Beth Israel as part of a new chapter in my life. I knew that a sense of belonging to a small group would provide me with a more intimate connection to my new synagogue, allow me to engage with others in a meaningful way, and aid in the transition to my new surroundings. I filled out a Chavurah application and was fortunate enough to be placed fairly quickly (it can take time for the right match to be made). Belonging to a chavurah did everything I had hoped and so much more—the wonderful experiences and lasting friendships that have developed over these past ten years are truly priceless.
If you are currently not a member of a chavurah, I encourage you to consider applying online. The chavurah experience is a powerful and positive way to enhance your affiliation with Beth Israel on a very personal level.
By Randy Savarese |
|
 Let me introduce you to my chavurah - Y' Dodim. Our chavurah began almost three decades ago. Seven of the 10 couples who now comprise Y'Dodim have been together for 25 of those years! We meet once a month on a Saturday to discuss Jewish topics. This year our focus is on Jewish symbols such as the hamsa and mogen david.
But we also do more than monthly chavurah discussions. We share happy and sad times, including weddings, bar/bat mitzvahs, baby and bridal showers, break-the-fasts, passover seders, Chanukah parties, and funerals. We have a yearly Chavurah retreat that has taken us to Las Vegas, Julian, Los Angeles, Mataguay, Borrego Springs, and many other places.
Y'Dodim has seen our children grow up and get married and some of us are even grandparents. Whatever we have become over the many years we can certainly say that Y'Dodim Chavurah has made a group of strangers into a family.
By Susan Weiner |
|
|
|
|
|
More About Beth Israel's Chavurot
A Chavurah Makes All the Difference: Rabbi Berk's Message
 It's true that we live in a time that prizes individuality, the centrality of the self and the pursuit of one's own happiness. We live in a place where people often find themselves uprooted and unrooted, having left the large families and neighborhoods of the East for the free wheeling, do your own thing, culture of Southern California. In addition, we are a large congregation and our members often do not live near each other. But the truth is that people do want to connect: they want to connect to significant community; to other people united by something larger than themselves. Many at Beth Israel have found that connection in a chavurah. If you're still searching, a chavurah may be the answer for you too. Read more...
Spotlight on Our Chavurot
 Enjoy these narratives of our various chavurot at Beth Israel, written by the members themselves.
CBI's Chavurah Program Wins National Belin Award
 Congregation Beth Israel proudly accepted the distinguished Belin award on behalf of our dynamic chavurah program. The Belin Outreach Awards have been designed to encourage and honor Reform synagogues with outstanding Outreach programs that actively welcome and integrate those new to Judaism. Funded through the generosity of David Belin, the first chairman of the URJ - CCAR Commission on Reform Jewish Outreach, awards are made to ten congregations at the URJ Biennial.
In addition to honoring congregations that have developed a uniquely innovative and effective Outreach program, the Belin Outreach Awards also promote Outreach throughout the entire Reform Movement through the publication of award-winning programs. In promoting Outreach to young adults, new temple members and members that need to become more active and to ensure their retention, the Beth Israel Chavurah Program, staffed by Coordinator Judi Schwartz successfully fulfills this task.
|
|
