Jewish Activities, VBS Activities & Successful Havurah Activities

PURIM CARNIVAL: Sponsor and run a booth at the carnival. A fun activity for Havurot of any age.

HANUKAT HABAYIT (DEDICATION OF THE HOME): When a member moves into a new home, have everyone bring both food and a special wish for the new homeowners. There are several dedication ceremony samples online.

MAKING A DONATION: Giving tzedakah on behalf of the Havurah can be done to honor any special simcha or to memorialize a loss. The Temple has many funds which would appreciate your support. Times to make a donation include: births, graduations, retirements, recovery from illness, deaths, yahrtzeits, etc.

PREPARING MEALS AFTER A FUNERAL AND DURING THE SHIVA PERIOD: So that the mourners do not have to worry about providing a meal at their home after a funeral, the Havurah can assume this responsibility (actually a mitzvah) and be there to help relieve some of the burden. Members also provide meals for the family during the week of Shiva.

SHABBAT HOSTING FOR A BAR/BAT MITZVAH: When a member celebrates a Bar or Bat Mitzvah, have the whole Havurah in attendance on Friday night to welcome family and friends. Request Shabbat Hosting for the dates in advance.

FAMILY RETREAT: Plan a weekend away at camp, rustic hotel, camping on the beach, etc. Include Shabbat dinner, discussion groups, recreational activities and/or Havdalah. Divide up responsibilities for organizing, programming, meals and services. Have some activities for adults and children together and some separate. For assistance, call upon the program director or a Havurah Steering Committee member.

ROOTS: Have each family trace its history back as far as possible and make a presentation to the Havurah. Include information such as birth places, dates, name changes, ports of entry, occupations, etc. Use a world map to plot migration patterns.

MITZVAH DAY: Sign up as a group for an activity at the VBS Annual Mitzvah Day in the fall.

COMMUNITY SEDER: Attend VBS Seder together.

TOT SHABBAT: Attend Tot Shabbat service for parents and pre-school aged child(ren) on the 2nd and 4th Saturday morning of each month.  Service starts at 10am.

PLAYGROUND MINYAN Attend this traditional and innovative monthly minyan as a group led by community members. Click here for more info.

RIMONIM FRIDAY NIGHT MUSICAL SERVICE: Bring your Havurah to a lively Rimonim service on the 2nd Friday of each month.  Click here for more info.
 

Successful Havurah Activities

• White Elephant Hanukah celebration
• Discussion - women in politics
• Two couples only - share a Shabbat dinner at one home
• Concert and picnic in Warner Center Park
• Invite one of the Rabbis or Cantors to speak to two Havurot
• A visit to the Skirball or Getty
• Discussion:  Jews of South America
• Weekend Retreat at Ramah or Brandeis-Bardin (or the like)
• Bring Mother's Day celebration to the Los Angeles Jewish Home
• Provide and serve dinner to the Homeless Shelter
• Sunday morning walk and brunch
• Speakers - call VBS for a current list
• In-depth report on member's travels, ie Israel, China, Russia, etc.
• Go to a play
• Picnic and hike at Malibu Canyon State Park
• Game night - adults only 
• Game night - families
• Beach day
   

Discussion Triggers

Havurot are often frustrated by the futility of small talk. In an effort to get people to reveal themselves a bit and to encourage discussion of personal values and experiences, these topics are sure to work. Try using unfinished sentences by going around the room asking people to complete the same sentence. Choose one and use it for the basis of an evening's discussion.

Examples are:

1. My most significant book, poem, play or person is...
2. My most memorable Jewish moment ...
3. If I won a million dollars in the lottery I would...
4. A good Jew is one who...
5. I hope my children remember me as...
6. The Jewish Community's most pressing problem is...