Chavurahs continue to flourish at Temple Chai

Temple Chai, a Reform Jewish congregation in Long Grove, features 18 chavurahs.

"Chavurahs are small self-governed groups of temple members who come together to share activities, build friendships and enjoy life in and outside of the temple," said Cathy Schwartz, director of Member Services.

"Chavurah in Hebrew means a group of friends," said Susan Weidenfeld, outgoing co-chair of the temple's chavurahs. "People like the idea of having a small group of friends within the framework of a large congregation."

Weidenfeld and outgoing co-chair Jane Sidoti work as a team with Schwartz to ensure that chavurahs flourish at Temple Chai. Incoming co-chairs Charlotte Leventhal and Marni Rotblut will continue this close relationship.

"Chavurahs celebrate their members' good times and comfort them in their sorrows," said Sidoti. "Chavurahs also benefit the temple because when people join a chavurah, they are more likely to remain temple members for the long term."

The chavurahs at Temple Chai generally contain seven to nine families, couples or individuals. They represent families with young children, families with middle school and older children, empty nesters in their middle and more senior years, interfaith families and single women in different age groups. One chavurah boasts that its youngest member is 76 years of age.

Schwartz, with the help of her co-chairs, is always ready to create additional chavurahs that reflect the interests of temple members. New chavurahs may mirror those in existence or be composed of different types of groups, such as chavurahs for mixed groups of young men and women, or for single men or for gays and lesbians.

She has prepared guidelines to help chavurahs get started and a handout for temple members encouraging them to join a chavurah.

Weidenfeld emphasized that each chavurah functions autonomously. Each group decides its own procedures, plans, schedules and implements its own activities.

Chavurah members may choose to adopt a temple theme like "Hieneini - I'm here To Make a Difference" and pack and deliver food packages for needy families or food pantries. Chavurahs have visited museums, hiked in nature preserves and held game and book nights at members' homes. Chavurah members have gone camping and taken vacations together and participated in Jewish orientated educational events.

"Whatever activities a chavurah chooses, the overriding goal of all chavurahs is to create a small community of friends who will stay connected in a large congregation," said Weidenfeld.

Sidoti added that each chavurah plans events so that a maximum number of members can participate. Each chavurah chooses a leader who facilitates the group's activities. The leader may discuss group concerns with the two co-chairs and Schwartz, or seek assistance from them so that planned events run smoothly.

For example, if a chavurah decides to attend a temple service, its leader alerts Schwartz, who then reserves space for the group to sit together. The temple also hosts an annual dinner for chavurah leaders who share successes and discuss common challenges.

"The temple's clergy, Rabbi Stephen Hart, Rabbi Ilana Baden, Cantor Scott Simon and its executive director, Deb Mattes, fully embrace the concept of autonomous chavurahs," said Schwartz. "Thriving chavurahs are contributing significantly to the continuing vitality of Temple Chai."