Next Shabbat Service
Saturday, September 25, 10:00 AM
This service will be followed by a Sukkah party hosted by Florence and Woodie Fleischer.
Beth El Invites Chavurat Achim
Chavurat Achim has been invited to Beth El Synagogue in Southbury for the Shabbat service on Saturday, November 13. The service will basically be a Chavurat Achim service along with a Torah service and a sermon by the rabbi. It will begin at the standard Beth El starting time of 9:30 a.m.
What Is Chavurat Achim?
Chavurat Achim is an informal community committed to the continuation of egalitarian religious services in the Greater Waterbury area with the maximum participation of all its members and friends.
What Services Does Chavurat Achim Provide?
Chavurat Achim holds Shabbat services approximately once a month. It will also help organize yahrzeit minyanim during the week when needed.
Chavurat Achim will also hold special Shabbat and other services in homes of community members who are physically unable to leave their homes to attend services in a regular synagogue.
Where Are Services Held?
Services are generally held in private homes. When weather permits, portions of some services may be held outdoors. To learn where a particular service will be held, call Meyr Bram at (203) 755-9562, fill out our Chavurat Achim Inquiry Form or send email to info@chavuratachim.org.
If attendance becomes too large for private homes, other locations will be found.
How Are Chavurat Achim Services Different?
Chavurat Achim services are highly interactive. There is no formal leader and there is lots of questions, with the Torah discussion led by a different participant each month.
Services are conducted in private homes, sitting comfortably around a living room. Using the philosophy that nobody should stand alone during a difficult time, everyone stands and says kaddish together during the mourner's kaddish and the names of Israeli victims of terrorist attacks are remembered at each service.
Anyone there can decide they want to include, or skip, a particular prayer.
Newsletters
Chavurat Achim sporadically publishes a newsletter.
5766 (Fall 2005) Issue
5762 (Spring 2003) Issue
What Will The Future Bring?
Other than providing interesting, self-service religious services, Chavurat Achim has no long-range plans or agenda. It will complement, not replace, synagogue membership, and will evolve according to its participants' desires. There is no formal membership or dues.
How Can I Participate?
Anyone interested in participating may call Meyr Bram during business hours at (203) 755-9562, fill out our Chavurat Achim Inquiry Form or send email to info@chavuratachim.org.
Does Chavurat Achim Have A Mailing List?
Chavurat Achim has an electronic mailing list, chavurah@chavuratachim.org. Anyone wishing to join the mailing list may do so by filling out the Chavurat Achim Inquiry Form.
What's In It For Me?
If you've ever wanted to lead part of a service, read Torah, chant a Haftorah, give a D'Var Torah, or try out your own melody for Adon Olam in a small, intimate setting, this is your opportunity.
What's In A Name?
The name "Chavurat Achim" was inspired by the words of Hinei Ma Tov: Hinei ma tov uma na-im shevet achim gam yachad; behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brothers to dwell together in unity. A rough translation of Chavurat Achim would be a "community of like-minded people interested in studying and practicing Judaism together."
What Other Opportunities Are There For Participating in Jewish Life?
There is a variety of Jewish institutions in the Greater Waterbury area. You may wish to check our list of Jewish institutions, including chavurot, synaogues, yeshivot and secular organizations in the Waterbury area.
Win An Aliyah!
Identify the photograph and win an aliyah at the next Chavurat Achim service!
Marsha and Alan Stein recently visited Israel, going to a Bar Mitzvah in Beer Sheva and meeting with friends from Connecticut's Partnership 2000 partners of Afula and Gilboa.
