Small Groups, Big Connections

Small Groups is an initiative that John Lewsen, Past President, first became aware of via a URJ seminar. It talks about the opportunity to bring people with similar interests together for a finite period of time. Groups may meet weekly, monthly or randomly, as appropriate, for roughly a one-year period. At the end of the year, they may continue or restart with a new group of individuals. What they are not, is a long-term commitment to be involved in something year after year – unless of course, you want to.

A recent example of this at Solel, is the series of Tallit making workshops that Miriam Schoeman ran last year. Over a series of weeks people gathered together to learn the necessary skills to make themselves a Tallit and then they actually made one.

You could call the Women of Solel members who gather periodically in the kitchen to bake and cook for our members who need a little help another small group. Roughly four times a year they get together with shared recipes to create meals and goodies for others.

Study with the Rabbi is another small group. Next up, continued sessions on Unlocking the Wisdom of Jewish Tradition: Reading Reform Responsa. We gather on Sunday mornings to study and learn together. The sessions will restart on Sunday, October 5 at 10:30 a.m. in the Library at Solel and via Zoom. Check out the The Shammas – Solel This Week for the details and Zoom link.

So those are some of the groups that exist. What’s next?

John Lewsen is offering to start a Small Group that will explore the parks and paths of Etobicoke and Mississauga. There are many great trails, and the weather is still pleasant enough to spend time together outside. Our first walk will take place in the coming weeks, where we will explore Echo Valley Park in Etobicoke. Stay tuned for more details on the exact date, time and meeting place. If you have a park or trail you’d like to share with the walking group, make a note, so that we can collect a number of paths to explore together.

Additionally, we will be offering Leadership Training this year. It’s an opportunity for existing board members to pick up new skills and for congregants to join us and gain skills so that the next time someone from the nominating committee asks if you’d be interested in joining the Board, you may feel comfortable saying ‘yes’. Plans are currently being developed for an in-person kick-off session, with most workshops taking place once a month, online. If this is an area of interest for you, we hope you’ll consider joining us for these sessions.

As you can see from the above descriptions, Small Groups can cover any number of activities. If you have a skill you’d like to share or an interest you’d like to communally explore, please let us know so that we can work to collect people together who can learn and enjoy something new together.

Filed under: President's Message

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