Havurot (Small Groups)

Aging Intentionally and Well

This havurah will combine learning and experiential conversations to explore how we can live our best lives as we journey through the process of aging. We will plan together as we age together–learning from each other, from Jewish wisdom, from key writers, and we will address planning for end of life. We will speak about our losses, our gains, our challenges, our fears, our needs, best practices for healthy living as we age. 

In Person, Monthly on Shabbat (Time TBD)

Havurah leader: Miriam Herscher

BJ Music Ensemble 

For BJ members who play instruments and love the music at our services, this Havurah will explore creative approaches to playing this music in an ensemble setting. The sessions will be led by BJ music director Dan Nadel, who will provide all necessary sheet music, and guide participants in accordance with their musical experience level and role in the ensemble. The group is open to all levels and is flexible in terms of its instrumentation, but its establishment will depend on having a minimum number of participants and on available space. Ideally the sessions will occur early-mid Friday afternoons.

In Person, Twice Monthly on Fridays

Havurah leader: Wendy Levine

BJ Riders

This havurah will build community through the shared experience of bike rides—in Central Park, along the Hudson River, and building up to longer rides. Each month we will meet at BJ and head out on a ride together. BJ Riders is open to ALL levels of skills! If you’re a new or less experienced rider, we can pair you with more experienced riders. Enjoy the great exercise, feeling of accomplishment, and camaraderie that comes from riding with a group.

In Person, Monthly on Sundays (weather dependent)

Havurah leader: Susan Dess

BJ Writing Group

Whether you are a seasoned writer or a beginning creative writer, having a safe, collaborative space can make the writing process so much easier and more enjoyable. The BJ writing group meets weekly, offering members the opportunity to try out different writing exercises and share their work with each other.

In Person, Weekly on Sundays

Havurah leaders: Charlotte Fein and Olivia Glubok

Central NJ Havurah

BJ members in Central New Jersey—let’s get to know each other! We will come together for Shabbat and meals, and other Jewish interests members may have. 

In Person, Approximately Every Other Monthly

Havurah leader: Deborah Cole

Collaboration, Accommodation, or Resistance: Where were the Rabbis on the Spectrum?

Along with colorful characters and unexpected plot twists, the stories of the Aggadah often grapple with ethical questions—though never in a simplistic way. Many of the stories, written in Roman times, involve morally problematic situations that arise when we live under a powerful government which does not share our deepest beliefs. There are dangers, there are temptations, and always choices to be made: When do we go along to get along? When should we speak out or resist? What about staying focused on our personal path? Under what circumstances does cooperation shade into complicity, collaboration, and self-betrayal?

In Person, Monthly

Havurah leaders: Susan Reimer-Torn and Max Rudin

Forty and Fabulous

This havurah is for BJ members in their 40s. Sandwiched in the middle between two major demographics, it’s not always easy to find others at our stage of life. Let’s connect and share fabulous moments! Singles and couples are welcome!

Combination of In Person and Virtual, Monthly

Havurah leader: Elias Del Rosario

Grieving for Pets

Loss of one’s pet can be as painful as loss of a relative or friend but pet owners often have a hard time finding supportive spaces to grieve their loss. This havurah is both for BJ members who would like to offer support to others, as well as for those who are anticipating or currently experiencing the loss of a companion animal; we will meet once a month, share resources, bring pictures of our loved one(s), and share memories.

In Person, Monthly

Havurah leaders: Nora Gaines and Carol Gelles

Helpers’ Havurah: A Space for Jewish Mental Health Professionals

In this havurah, participants will connect, share experiences, and explore the intersection of clinical work and Jewish identity. Through zoom meetings, resource sharing, and mutual support, the group aims to foster both personal and professional growth. It’s a place to build community, process challenges, and celebrate the richness of Jewish culture within therapeutic practice. All levels of experience and backgrounds are welcome.

Virtual, Monthly (exact dates TBD by the group)

Havurah leaders: Jenny Mariaschin-Rudin and Susan Bodner

Just Weights*: A Business Owners Havurah

A forum for owners, entrepreneurs, presidents and founders of business enterprises– this havurah will offer a space for networking and peer support. We will operate based on the YPO (Young Presidents Organization) model, which brings business leaders together to strengthen leadership skills.

* Proverbs 11:1

In Person, Monthly

Havurah leader: Andy Cohen

Meditation Reading Group

This group will read books on meditation (both Jewish and not), and explore how to integrate the teachings into our lives. We will begin with a class work on Jewish meditation, and further selection of readings would be established by participants. 

Virtual, Monthly on a Thursday evening

Havurah leader: Roger Kohn

Northwest Bronx Havurah

BJ members are in the Bronx! This havurah is for members who live in Riverdale, Spuyten Duyvil, Kingsbridge, and surrounding areas. We get together socially for Shabbat meals, visits to museums and parks, or just to see each other and schmooze. 

In Person, No regular meeting time

Havurah leaders: Pam and Les Judd

Plant-Based Eating Havurah

This havurah will bring together people who enjoy plant-based cuisine and would like to explore the connections between food, health, animals, the environment, and Jewish values. Havurah members will decide together on our activities, which could include learning and discussion groups; guest speakers; potlucks, cooking demos, shabbat gatherings, restaurant visits, and/or food justice projects. All this will happen in a warm, non-judgemental, and delicious setting!

In Person, Approximately Every 6 weeks

Havurah leader: Diana Goldman

Reflections on Israel, the Diaspora, and Jewish Identity 

This havurah began last year with a study of Shaul Magid’s The Necessity of Exile. We are now welcoming new members to the group as we continue to explore what it means to be a Jew living in the diaspora today and how we understand our relationship to Israel. We will engage with a range of perspectives on these questions through selected readings, videos, and podcasts. We will begin by examining the differing approaches presented by Josh Leifer (e.g. Tablets Shattered) and Peter Beinart (e.g. After the Destruction of Gaza.) Group members will take turns leading discussions and selecting materials as we learn and reflect together. 

Virtual, Meeting time TBD

Havurah leader: Susan Miller

Shabbat Dinner Havurah

Connect with other members of the BJ community to celebrate Shabbat and enjoy Shabbat dinner together. We will gather approximately every six weeks, rotating hosts among the havurah members. Hosts can cook dinner or order in the meal. We will have a short service with traditional prayers, then enjoy good food and conversation together.

In Person, Every 6 Weeks on Friday evenings

Havurah leaders: Marsha and Bruce Noble 

Spiritual Direction for Spiritual Care Providers

Spiritual Care providers and chaplains support the spiritual well-being of those in their care– but we are at the center of conditions that are ever-shifting and can often be chaotic. How do we care for our own spiritual well-being so we can continue to care for others? This havurah offers chaplains and spiritual care providers an opportunity for spiritual direction, using liturgy, poetry, sacred writing, music and art. Led by long time BCC hospital chaplain and classical music professional, Linda Golding.

Combination of In Person and Virtual, Monthly

Havurah leader: Linda Golding

Talking Back To the Prophets

There is an enormous amount of commentary on the Torah, but there is far less on the haftarot, and, as a Jewish community, we have not spent much time thinking about them. This havurah will expand the work of BJ’s Haftarah Project, in which BJ members offered their thoughts on specific problematic haftarot. Together we will open up multiple ways to think with, and respond to, the language and concerns of the prophets. Each session, we will focus on a couple of the haftarot for the coming month and imagine some of the ways we might create our own commentaries: through creative writing, poetry, art, and more.

In Person, Monthly on Mondays

Havurah leaders: Martha Ackelsberg and Judith Paskow 

The Ultimate Kindness: Caring for Body and Soul at the Time of Death

Jewish tradition considers caring for the deceased to be hesed shel emet, the ultimate act of kindness; community members who provide this care are known as the Hevra Kadisha, a sacred collective of volunteers. In this havurah, we will study these customs, practices, and liturgy, and consider how the rituals of the past can be current and even future-facing. Join us on a meaningful journey to explore the wisdom of our tradition, and to understand the sacred role that the Hevra Kadisha plays in the BJ community.

Combination of In Person and Virtual, Monthly

Havurah leaders: Rochelle Friedlich and Linda Golding

Understanding Antisemitism

A deep understanding of antisemitism and its history seems necessary for us in these times. David Nirenberg’s book, Anti-Judaism: The Western Tradition, is widely regarded as one of the best studies on this topic. It’s a dense, scholarly book that explores the origins, development, and nature of antisemitism. The purpose of the havurah is to read and discuss it together, helping one another to understand it well.

Combination of In Person and Virtual, Meeting time TBD by havurah members

Havurah leader: Henry Abelove

Understanding the Hasidic and Haredi Worlds

Meeting monthly to read about and discuss the various sects and communities of the Hasidic and Haredi worlds, how they function, and how they are different from one another. Periodic trips to Williamsburg, Boro Park, Crown Heights or other locales. Only open to those who can attend both talks and walks consistently. 

In Person, Monthly

Havurah leader: Ilene Richman