Affinity Groups

Winter/Spring 2025 Groups!

Missed the sign-up period but interested in getting involved? Reach out to ivy@shirhadash.org. 

• Hiking Group: join us for easy to moderate hikes in the South Bay. We will meet at various locations on the first Sunday of the month for an approximate three-mile hike - led by Joy Spodick. 
• Photography: Join professional photographer Kyle Chesser for a 6-week program to learn hwo to improve your photos and how to use your SLR camera and/or cell phone camera. Our grouip will meet on Sunday afternoons twice monthly. 
• Sababa Dinner: Join friends for a potluck dinner where we all cook a recipe from the same cookbook - Sababa: Fresh, Sunny Flavors From My Israeli Kitchen. Group will meet once every six weeks, led by Ivy Chesser. 
• Knitting: Creative and fun-filled afternoons of knitting and/or crocheting! Bring projects you are currently working on or suggest ideas for possible group projects. We are happy to teach those who are new to either knitting or crochet! We'll meet outdoors at Shir Hadash. 
• Mah Jongg: Have you ever wondered how to play American Jewish Mah Jongg? Learn something new and connect with new friends! Both seasoned and brand-new players are welcome to join for a fun time playing Mah Jongg together. This affinity group will be led by Carol Gutstein. 
• Whiskey: Do you enjoy whiskey-tasting and socializing?! We'll enjoy sharing and sampling different types of whiskey, bourbon, scotch, or other special beverage for the group to try as we chat! Only for members age 21 and older, led by Andy Altman. 
• The Yiddish Are Coming: You're invited to come and join our brand new Yiddish Affinity Group! All levels needed... from zero Yiddish to fluency. We'll enjoy history, jokes, literature, music, klezmer, language learnings, sayings, and food! Led by Barbara Knipe.
• Meditation Group: Dive into mindfulness in a friendly and accessible environment, with insight from a certified mindfulness instructor. Meets on Wednesday mornings via Zoom. Led by Kelly Weisberg.

About

Affinity Groups (AGs) are regular gatherings of 8-12 members in people’s homes, offices and other places that promote relationship building.  They are led by Group Leaders.  Some AGs connect around common interests and other groups gather to discuss topics of deep concern or importance to the lives of the participants.  
 
The idea to create the AGs developed directly out of listening to the needs of our members. Sometimes, we need the anonymity of our robust communal events.  Other times, we desire smaller settings in which to grow and share in the experience of being a Jew.  In truth, we need both the large and small gathering moments: to pray, celebrate and learn from our tradition AND to experience Jewish values in personal and relatable smaller settings, where we are seen for who we are, and where see others for who they are.
 
Small groups are not new to Shir Hadash: over the years we have had Havurot, Torah Study, Choir, Men’s Club, Shir Hadash Women and much more.  What is new, however, is the structure and shared responsibility that we all shoulder in creating a more substantive web of relationships that make up our community and combine to create the Jewish world we hope to see for our future.  Therefore, the AGs become the intentional connections that we are making in order to inspire each other and transform ourselves and our world.