A Project of Chabad 5783 \ 2022-2023 Building an Inclusive Jewish Community, One Friendship at a Time Friendshipfriendshipcirclect.comCircleHartfordFCHartford
We are so grateful you’re part of our community. Here’s why: The Baal Shem Tov stressed the teaching from psalms, that every person is a treasured land. Within each of us are diamonds, tremendous value to be unpacked and sometimes we must dig deep to hit gold and see the good within another. Too often, young people are rejected for their differences or disabilities without their unique value coming through. Through your involvement in our community, everyone gets to be celebrated and appreciated. Young people with and without special needs come together, grow and learn from each other and “mine” the gold within their friends. With this teaching in mind, we are constantly shining the spotlight on ability! You will see members leading & greeting at holiday programs, friends at home activities are tailored for success and we invest much education in teaching the FC community about the power of the neshama- the common soul that unites us all. What a blessing to be surrounded by people who dig deep and reveal the treasure within everyone!Together, we are creating an inclusive Jewish community, one friendship at a time.
Rabbi Shaya Gopin
Welcome
Our Programs Friends at Home Shabbat and Holiday celebrations Sports Club Cirque de FC Music JewishClubBirthday celebrations Young Adult BarChallahgramsCircleandBatMitzvah prep Teen Education and Leadership Parent Support JDAIM Community Education THE DREAM TEAM: Rabbi Shaya Gopin, Executive Director RabbiShaya@Chabadhartford.com Shayna Gopin, Staff and Family Support Shayna@Friendshipcirclect.com Tammy Krulewitz, Director of Operations Tammy@FriendshipCirclect.com Joselyn Raub, Young Adults & Program Support Joselyn@FriendshipCirclect.com Mushky Cowen, Young Adults & Program Support Mushky@FriendshipCirclect.com
Friends At Home is a highly inclusive program that builds meaningful relationships between Jewish children and teens in our community. Weekly, pairs of volunteers spend time with their friend. Together, the groups play games, sports, crafts, read books, converse and laugh together. Our friends are specially trained in inclusion and in the interests of their friend in particular. The consistency of visits and flexibility that friends have in selecting their own activities result in strong bonds of connection that would not emerge naturally in the community.
Friends at Home
Challagrams Join us once a season to shape and bake the world’s most delicious bread- one to keep and a loaf of love to share with a friend. Thursdays, 5:30-6:30pm September 29 • January 19 • April 27
Holiday Programs SCIENCE IN THE SUKKAH Sunday, October 9 12:30 - 2:00 pm • Tie Dye • The science behind the 4 species • Music with Emily GLOW IN THE DARK CHANUKAH Thursday, December 22 4:00- 5:30 pm • Silent disco • LED menorah lighting • Glow in the dark Chanukah tattoos & nails
Holiday Programs SHABBAT DINNERS Friday Nights Turn Friday night into Shabbat! Join Rabbi Shaya and Shayna in our home as we bond over challah, matza ball soup and good company. PURIM IN THE TROPICS Monday, March 6 5:30 -7:00pm • Tropical animals • Smoothie Making • Hamentashen & Hulas
SPORTS CLUB November 6, 13 Team up with friends to try out a new sport or improve your skills at one you love! Young Adults: 2:30- 3:30pm School Age Crew: 4:00- 5:00pm CIRQUE DE FC February 5, 12 Back by popular demand- this time skill building! Juggling, tight rope and teamwork Young Adults: 2:30- 3:30pm School Age Crew: 4:00- 5:00pm Sunday Clubs
Sunday Clubs MUSIC CLUB A universal language we all love and can communicate in. Young Adult: 2:30- 3:30pm School Age Crew: 4:00- 5:00pm $45 FEE PER COMPLETE CLUB SESSION Register at FriendshipCirclect.com/register
PRE-ROSH HASHANA SOCIAL Sunday, September 18 Roll up your sleeves and dive into the sweetness of Rosh Hashana baking & sweet wishes to friends as we set intentions for the Jewish New Year together! SHABBAT DINNER May 5th, 6:00-7:30pm Experience a warm intimate Shabbat with friends as we get in the spirit of Lag B’Omer YA SUNDAY CLUBS NovemberSPORTS6, 13 CIRQUE DE FC February 5, 12 MarchMUSIC26,April 2:30-3:30pm2 Stay connected! Join our dynamic YA WhatsApp chat to keep in touch with FC friends outside of programs and events. To join, contact Joselyn@friendshipcirclect.com Young Adults
Parents JUST FOR FATHERS: SUSHI & SAKE IN THE SUKKAH Thursday, October 13, 7:30pm MOM’S NIGHT OUT Sunday, December 4, 7:00pm Treat yourself to a night of meaning, pampering, great food and even better company! TORAH AND TEA Thursdays, 11:00am-12:00pm Gain inspiration and find wisdom in the timeless messages of Torah. Join Shayna for a meaningful discussion bi monthly on Thursdays. Email Shayna@Friendshipcirclect.com Look Out for Mother’s and Father’s Day Surprise!
Teen Education TEEN KICK OFF & SHOFAR FACTORY Sunday, September 11 5:00-6:30pm Let’s talk about listening to messages that have no words. Saw, sand, drill and shellac your own shofar- the ultimate Jewish symbol of communicating to G-d straight from the heart. Spend 9/11 educating yourself how to make this world a place of goodness and kindness. Mandatory for new and old volunteers MID YEAR TRAINING Sunday, January 22 Recharge, renew, rejuvenate! CTEEN SHABBATON IN NYC! Friday, February 24- Sunday, February 26 An inspiring Shabbat with hundreds of Jewish teens from around the world followed by a Havdallah & concert in Times DON’TSquare.HAVEFOMO – JOIN US!
Teen Leadership Board! It takes a village to create a village! Our teen board is the innovative force behind our programming. Together, they plan, arrange and critique programs and bring together the diverse FC teen community. LUCY KABAKOFF JOSH ISAACSON CHANA MEYER CLARA SORKIN MIRIAM NEWMAN JAKE BERNSTEINETHAN LESHEM
TOWARDS INCLUSION A course for adults that will advocate for and advance the inclusion of people with disabilities in the Jewish communities. LESSON 1: It’s not you, it’s me! The limits of human perception LESSON 2: The Theory of inclusion: On Human worth and Dignity LESSON 3: Am I my brother’s keeper? The ethics of responsibility LESSON 4: A call to action: Overcoming barriers to inclusion REGISTER FRIENDSHIPCIRCLECT.COM/JDAIMAT FAMILY FAIR Sunday, February 27 Bring your family for an educational and FUN fair as we raise awareness and encourage community inclusion in honor of Jewish Disability AcceptanceAwarenessInclusion Month. Building a Community Without Walls
Sunday, May 21 • 3:00-5:00 PM Honor and applaud each of our members and the connections we’ve forged together. This event is for the entire community - please join us! Celebrate Friendship Circle
Thank you so much for the program yesterday. Such a balm to the soul to have a place where your child is accepted unconditionally -- outside of family, this is the only space. I think I speak for the other parents as well, it really gives us the strength to continue advocating for our kids when others see them as the special souls they are. I’m so glad we joined FC this year!
I wanted to thank you both SO much for all that you have both done for me these past few years. You welcomed me into the friendship circle family with open arms last fall, and my time with both G and all of the other participants, volunteers and coordinators has allowed me to grow as a person, as a practicing Jew, and as a student…… Again, thank you both so much for all that you do and for our community; none of it goes unnoticed, and I am looking forward to what FC will do in the future. our Inbox
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