3 minute read
ReimaginingYoung Adult and Young Family Communities at Temple Beth El
December 2023
By Amy Fine
The 2023-24 year is one of great reimagination for Temple Beth El! Five months into the new fiscal year we’ve already met new members, gained new leaders, and formed bright new ideas. In addition to exploring our congregation’s strategic vision for the future and introducing new women’s community programming, we’re also opening new doors for young adults and families with young children in our community.
In early October, we kicked off a new initiative called TBE Jam. Jam caters generally to young adults in their 20s and 30s looking to integrate Jewish culture and community into their lives. We’ll gather to learn, socialize, celebrate holidays, and build connections with others in the same stage of life.
TBE Jam was first announced at this year’s Young Adult Sukkot Cookout on Sept. 30 when 30 young people shared a meal, shook the lulav and etrog, and gathered around the fire pit for havdalah and an impromptu jam session. We’re particularly excited about a new monthly series beginning on Sunday, Nov. 12 at 5 p.m. called Backyard Bunch where we’ll meet at the home of Rabbi Lexi Erdheim and her husband, Charlie Cox for dinner, drinks, and discussion about the Jewish perspective on contemporary issues.
The launch of TBE Jam led us to the decision to pivot our wellknown affinity group known as The Porch to focus solely on families with young children. In previous years it catered to both families with young children and young adults. In addition to congregants expressing a desire to build separate groups with a stronger concentration on these different life stages, we have many new young families joining TBE and we’d like to cultivate a community that better helps them integrate into Temple life.
Part of making this change is creating space to present new ideas and solicit feedback from parents regarding what it is they want to see from our programs and events. In the latter half of October, we held a Porch Reimagination Open Meeting, inviting parents to come share with us, so we can work together to build a new foundation on which this community can grow. It was an invigorating conversation. Temple Beth El’s parents are passionate about developing something fun and optimistic about our ability to foster relationships. They voiced a need for community on a smaller scale and a desire to bring it outside the temple walls. We’re eager to create a culture that finds a healthy balance between large gathering opportunities for congregants to meet and smaller get-togethers where they can share a meal or a playdate at their own kitchen table.
In all the excitement of new ideas, we will always find ways to hold onto old favorites. As such, The Porch Southern Fried Chanukah returns this year on Sunday, Dec. 10 at 4:30 p.m. As always, we’ll enjoy latkes and fried chicken, light candles, sing Chanukah songs, and participate in some fun new activities we can’t wait to tell you about. Register by Wednesday, Dec. 6. We’re excited to celebrate the holiday season with new programs, favorite traditions, and gratitude for the Temple Beth El and greater Charlotte Jewish community.
