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TAKING ACTION

HOW TO IMPROVE FRIENDSHIP IN YOUR SYNAGOGUE

As an organization that is dedicated to building friendship among all Synagogue members and specifically older Synagogue members (55+ years), we want to share some concrete ways we are promoting camaraderie and increased interaction in our Synagogue (Cong. Agudath Shalom, Stamford, CT).  We believe increased interaction leads to more friendships.

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1. Our Synagogue has many activities for members, but more is needed for older adults (55+).  We formed a committee to brainstorm and create potential activities.  Activities are divided into events open to all members over 55+ years and specific clubs based on membership interests (see Table 1). Input came from the committee and general membership. Further activities can be devised based on further input from membership.  55+ members may be retired or may be empty nesters and may be looking for a more active social life.  In contrast, younger members work and interact through school and their kids, so they have less need and less time to interact.

 

2. We also orient our new members (55+) (See Table 2) and try to have them invited to established members, either at their home or in a restaurant.  We also try to get new members involved in Synagogue classes, volunteer activities or other social activities. 

 

3. We also have a protocol to help established members meet other established members, based on membership interest. Finally, we want to extend our activities to non-members in the future to get them involved. 

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A summary of our program is as follows:

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  1. Form a committee to determine interest in new activities (See Table 1)

  2. Implement one or more activities to create a positive atmosphere.

  3. Then implement more.

  4. Have a plan to welcome new members (See Table 2).

  5. Get them involved.

  6. Are you increasing friendships in your Synagogue?

 

We believe the Synagogue is a place for prayer, but more so a place to promote friendship and camaraderie.  Our goal is to be as inclusive as possible, making sure that active members, inactive members, and others in our community feel welcome and involved and have activities that interest them.  

Table 1: Increasing Interactions in 55+ Year-Old Members
Example Events for the Whole Group 

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  • Trip to a concert, theater, museum or sports activity (option - food at the Synagogue)

  • Tours 

  • Board game night

  • Picnic in local park

  • Shabbat luncheon (or other days)

  • Welcome meal invitations for new people (55+ years)

  • Other activities

 

Example Activities for Specific Interest Groups 

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  • Art club

  • Band club / choir

  • Bicycle group 

  • Walking club

  • Bowling club

  • Games—chess, checkers, board games, cards, Mahjong, backgammon, scrabble, etc. 

  • Book club

  • Cooking class

  • Health—fitness club--how to improve your health

  • Foreign language club

  • Hobby clubs—photography, coins, stamps, collection cards, comics, etc. 

  • Investment club / passive income investment / real estate

  • Wine / beer tasting class

  • Other activities 

Table 2:

Orientation Meeting for New Members (55+ Years)

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Give:

  1. Wine bottle

  2. Discount coupons / JCC 1-week membership   

  3. Intro to Jewish Stamford (handout)

  4. Answer any specific questions

 

STAMFORD PACKAGE—All About Stamford

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  1.  Go to internet site (Stamfordct.gov)

  2.  Garbage, leaves, fixing something, beach pass, taxes, events, etc.

  3.  Wikipedia on Stamford  (handout) 

  4.  First 100 days in office (handout) 

 

STAMFORD DOWNTOWN PACKAGE

 

  1. Stamford Downtown Directory (2019-20) / Stamford Downtown Guide (2023) (2 handouts)

  2. Art Collective 2020 (handout) 

  3. Transportation (handout)

  4. Harbor Point Trolley (handout)

 

THINGS TO DO IN STAMFORD

 

  1. Plays (handout) 

  2. Movie Theaters, TV taping, Palace Theater 

  3. Library / Nature Center / Concerts

  4. Art statues

  5. Beaches—Cummings, Cove, West Beach (Pass = $7 for seniors)

  6. Playgrounds for Kids

  7. Tourist Sites             

    1. Hudson River—Rockefeller, FDR, West Point

    2. Maritime Museum Aquarium

    3. Stepping Stone (kids)

    4. Submarine

    5. Essex—train / boat ride

    6. Bridgeport—cross the Sound

    7. Samuel Clemens House / Museum (Hartford CT)

    8. Mystic River

    9. PEZ factory (Orange) 

 

Report your home security system to the Stamford police and avoid a fine, if you have a false alarm

 

FREE AIR FOR YOUR TIRES

 

SHOPPING

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  1. Food

  2. Hardware—Karp (Rockys)

  3. Norwalk—Costco, Home Depot, Lowes, Walmart

  4. Ice Cream—Dairy Queen, Carvel

  5. Gardening flowers,etc.—Eden Farms

  6. Tires—Town Fair

 

 CONTRACTORS

 

  1. Painters

  2. General Contractor

  3. Driveways / Sidewalks

  4. Lawn Improvement

  5. Doors

  6. Handymen

 

 CONGREGATION AGUDAH SHALOM (CAS)

 

  1. Internet site—congregationagudathshalom.org

  2. Other Synagogues—Beth El, Sinai, Lubavitch-Chabad, Young Israel of Stamford

  3. Minyans

  4. Classes

  5. Weekly bulletin (schedule)

  6. Volunteer opportunities

  7. Kim Mahoney, Matt Feinberg, Rabbi Daniel Cohen (Sr. Rabbi), Rabbi Moshe Kurtz (Asst. Rabbi)

  8. Life cycle events

  9. WhatsApp Groups (20 groups) (handout)

 

ADDITIONAL

 

  1. Questions?

  2. Contact me - see contact information

 

 HANDOUTS

 

  1. Key people

  2. Wine / Discounts

  3. Jewish Stamford

  4. Wikipedia on Stamford

  5. First 100 days in Office

  6. Stamford Downtown Guides (2019/20 and 2023)

  7. Art Collective (2020)

  8. Transportation 

  9. Harbor Point Trolley

  10. Plays in Stamford

  11. Movie Theaters, TV taping, Palace Theater

  12. PEZ factory

  13. WhatsApp Groups (20 groups)

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ABOUT US >

The Organization for Jewish Friendship (OJF) is committed to building a strong community of older adults (55+) in synagogues across the country. We believe in the power of friendship and community to enhance the quality of life for older adults. Get involved today and help us make a difference!

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CONTACT >

T: (313) 549-7014

E: brucenewman@ojf18.org

© 2023 by The Organization for Jewish Friendship

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