Hesed: Caring, Connections and Community is one of the core values in BJ’s Community Covenant, reflecting our belief that the foundation of community is connection and relationships. We know that it takes all of us to make this a reality, especially in a place as large as BJ– and especially during challenging times.
That’s where the BJ Havurah Initiative comes in. Every year, BJ members step up to create havurot: small, self-organized groups based around shared interests or demographics. In these spaces, members can come together to build and deepen relationships, learn from one another, and co-create micro-communities within BJ. In past years, more than 400 members have participated in this initiative, deeply enriching their connection to BJ and to Judaism.
More than ever, this is a time to build and deepen the relationships that can bring both comfort and joy into our lives. We are currently inviting BJ members to propose ideas for this year’s havurot and to learn more about becoming a havurah leader.
If you have an idea–or even an inkling of an idea!–for a havurah, please fill out this form by Monday August 8, 2025. If you want to learn more about this initiative and what it means to take a leadership role, read on!
What’s a Havurah?
A havurah can be pretty much anything you want it to be. Want to host virtual Shabbat dinners? Study Jewish texts on Tuesday evenings? March in every protest to support our democracy? Sit on a bench schmoozing with other parents while your kids have fun at the playground?
Whatever the structure and content, all we ask is that havurot:
- Meet at least 6 times between November and June.
- Be intentional about building relationships and community among your members. (We’ve got resources to help you!)
- Have a leader (or co-leaders).
How will this work?
Once we launch registration, all BJ members will have a chance to sign up for a havurah of their choosing. We will finalize the havurot in October, and then havurah leaders will work with their members to schedule gatherings and start meeting! (Based on the number of participants who sign up for each havurah, the nature of the havurah, or other factors, we may need to consolidate or tweak havurot.)
What’s the role of the havurah leader?
A havurah leader does NOT have to host, cook, teach, or facilitate every aspect of the havurah’s activities! The leader’s job is to get the havurah off the ground, keep the wheels turning, and communicate outside of havurah meetings so people stay connected in between gatherings.
BJ will provide guidance to help you start your havurah and keep it going; pair you with an experienced havurah ‘mentor’, if you want one; and offer resources and workshops.
I know people do things differently when it comes to Jewish practice. How will the havurot handle this?
We ask that all havurot follow a few standard practices regarding Shabbat and kashrut observance, and will make these guidelines clear to everyone who joins a havurah.
Can a havurah include people who are not BJ members?
At this time, participation in a havurah is a benefit of BJ membership.
I have an idea for a havurah! What do I do?
Fill out this form by Monday August 8, 2025. After the High Holy Days, all BJ members will have a chance to sign up for a havurah of their choosing, and we will finalize the havurot in October. (Based on the number of participants who sign up for each havurah, the nature of the havurah, or other factors, we may need to consolidate or tweak havurot.) Once registration is complete, it’s up to you to work with your havurah members to determine a schedule and location for gatherings and to organize activities.
This sounds interesting but I’m not sure I’m ready to jump in. Is there someone I can talk to about this?
Absolutely. Rabbi Shuli Passow oversees the havurah initiative and is here to answer your questions, talk through ideas, and explore what leading a havurah could look like for you.
I’ve never done something like this before. Is this really for me?
Yes! We will help you learn the skills and practices that foster community-building and group formation. On Thursday, October 23 at 7:00 PM Shuli will lead an initial on-line training for leaders, addressing topics such as building relationships within your havurah, troubleshooting problems that may arise, and general best practices. Throughout the year, you’ll have opportunities to check-in with Shuli, and to connect with other havurah leaders for peer support.
Ready to jump in? Fill out the havurah leader interest form by Monday August 8, 2025!