HBTogether Groups
HBTogether Groups, also sometimes called Chavurot, are Holy Blossom Temple members who come together within the larger congregational family over shared interests and identities. HBTogether Groups are one of the best ways to add even more meaning to your Temple life and to stay connected.
HBTogether is chaired by Karen Kollins. Interested in starting a new group or have questions? Email [email protected]
Conversational Hebrew Speakers
Led by Sylvia Papernick and Bella Shupac, meets on Mondays at 7:30 pm
Are you interested in joining a conversational Hebrew group? We are starting one and anyone with a basic level of conversational Hebrew is invited. The goal is to improve in fluency, and work on vocabulary, grammar, pronunciation, and look at Israeli culture and history too.
Walking Group
Led by Wendy Melvin, meets every Tuesday and Friday 8:15-9:15 am
It’s time to come together and enjoy the outdoors. Calling all walkers to join us rain or shine as we depart the Holy Blossom parking lot for a 50-minute walk at your own pace. Five minutes will be allocated at the beginning and end of the walk for a good stretch. We will always have a guide at the front of the group to assess the right walking pace and a shepherd at the back of the group to ensure that we are all connected.
Caregivers of People with Dementia
Led by Sandy Atlin, meets every other Wednesday 1:30-3 pm
This is a support group for family members who are caregivers for loved ones living with dementia and memory loss. If you identify with this you are most welcome to be a part of this group for discussion and peer support led by someone who has been a caregiver.
Jewish Music Small Group
Led by Cantor Marty Steinhouse, meets Mondays 10-11 am
Each week we have a guest appearance or interesting program to inspire us, inform and stimulate us. We focus on Jewish music and have cantors from around the world join us.
LGBT Havurah
Meeting times vary
This is an affinity group of LGBTQIA+ folks at Holy Blossom. We meet for hang outs and schmoozing time to make friends and build community. We meet both in person and on Zoom depending on the Covid situation.
L’Chaim
Led by Jack Kugelmass, meets Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 5:15 – 5:55 pm
Raise a glass or teacup with fellow congregants over Zoom and join a conversation about coping with the pandemic. Jack Kugelmass, MSW, will introduce the chat with insight about how to diminish anxiety during these trying times. Open and supportive discussion will follow until all are invited to join the Mincha service.
Suicide Loss Survivors
Led by Lise Sklar and Abigail Nemzer, meets the first Thursday of the month at 6:30 pm
This group is for anyone who has lost someone to suicide. It is a safe place to share memories, stories and experiences with others who have been there.
HBTogether Book Club
Led by Caroline Ingvaldsen, meets on the first Wednesday of the month at 11 am
This small group meets monthly to discuss books chosen by our members. New members are always welcome!
Writing and Poetry Group
Led by Harriet Wolman, meets third Thursdays at 4 pm
Staying home can be a real drag. But it is an opportunity for us to have time to be more creative than usual. Let’s share an original poem or article that you wrote or someone else’s that inspires you and helps you cope in these trying times.
Anti-Racism Reading and Discussion Group
Led by Ruby Knafo, meets on Tuesdays at 7:30 pm
Our goal is to contribute to the elimination of racism in Canada by enhancing our capacity to know ourselves, the roles we might unwittingly have played in maintaining an inequitable society, and the role we might play as anti-racists in focused actions to achieve an inclusive society. Everyone is welcome to join this reading group. Please read what you can and join even if you haven’t had a chance to finish the book.
Arts and Culture
Led by Barbara Glaser, meeting times vary
A like-minded group within the Holy Blossom Temple community, that comes together now virtually, in these unprecedented times of the pandemic. Continue to foster these relationships, connect over all things Art and Culture related and where various connections, and friendships have bloomed. This is your place to connect, write, and post anything art and culture-related to continue to connect and grow together.
Led by Susan Baskin, meets Wednesday evenings and Sunday afternoons
The HBT Ukulele Group welcomes everyone—but given that we have been together for several years, people do need to have experience playing the ukulele to keep up.
A sampling of other groups that have previously met:
Mussar Yoga
Daytime Moms
Israeli Dance
Grandparents Gathering
Sharing Travel Stories
Living with Chronic/Episodic Illness/Disability
