Overview

Chavurah (friendship groups)

Experience the difference of what a warm welcome can do for you and your family. Whether you are new to the community or synagogue, or an existing member, Chavurah is a comfortable way to meet new people and build lasting friendships within the home of Congregation Beth Shalom. Congregation Beth Shalom has a large membership and Chavurah provides the opportunity to interact with other synagogue members who share common interests and lifestyles, within an intimate group setting. Chavurah members from Congregation Beth Shalom acquire enriched synagogue experiences, expanded social venues, and enhanced Jewish consciousness. Each group has a liaison that is responsible for facilitating group efforts and each group independently designs its own programming to include social, community building, pro-Israel, and Jewish observance activities. During the course of the year, several joint functions combining all groups are planned. Many groups also tag onto Sisterhood, Men’s Club and synagogue programs. Some examples of Chavurah group activities are sharing Shabbat dinners, celebrating events like Tashlich, Chanukah and Purim together, packing care packages for Israeli soldiers, preparing meals for the homeless, attending Israeli film festivals, studying a variety of pertinent topics, making ceramic Elijah and Miriam cups, apple picking, bowling and pizza parties, and ice skating outings.

Chavurah Groups
Every congregant who wishes to join a Chavurah group gets placed into one. When a group gets too large, we then organize a second group. Here are the groups actively looking for new members. We welcome any new suggestions for group types and always are looking for new liaisons. Anyone interested in sharing comments or in gaining more information around Chavurah, please contact Joanne H. Licht or at 847-313-5304.

Joining is a simple process, there are several options. You can download a signup form, print it out, and email it, or you may drop it off in the synagogue office. You can also hit the link on the CBS website home page, click on the Chavurah signup form, answer the profile questions and hit the submit button. You will then be contacted shortly later to review your request.

Here are the groups actively looking for new members:
• Mishpocha – is a group geared to young families with preschool/young children
• Young families with elementary age children- is a group geared to families with grade school age children
• Boomerang Gang- is a group geared toward baby boomer parents with preschool/elementary age children
• Sababa- is a group geared at families with middle school/high school children
• Ha Bay-Nayim- is a group geared toward couples with college age/post college age children
• Chai- is a group geared at mature empty nester couples
• Jewish Study Chavurah- is a group of all demographics that select pertinent Judaic topics to study and discuss
• Mature Singles (those who have been divorced)- is a group geared at male and female divorcees
• Ahava-is a group geared at mature singles who have been widowed

To sign up for a Chavurah, please click here to download the Chaverah Sign-up form and return to the synagogue.

Email or mail to:	Chavurah
	c/o Congregation Beth Shalom
	3433 Walters Ave
	Northbrook, IL  60062