Dear Friends,
The Torah teaches that two master artisans, Betzalal and Oholieb, completed the ancient Mishkan (sanctuary) with beauty and breathtaking skill. They were not liturgists, or priests, or rabbis. Rather, they worked with their hands, and their hearts. From this we learn that every member of our congregation brings different gifts to bear, regardless of our backgrounds. And we are all learners, too!
This premise led us to design Kesher, our small groups initiative at TBT. It’s open to anyone who is a member of our congregation.
Do you have a special passion, a particular expertise, or simply a topic you’d love to explore more deeply with others in our community? Consider forming a Kesher group. Kesher, which means “connection” in Hebrew, is TBT’s umbrella for small groups that bring congregants together around shared interests. Our current Keshers cover a wide range of subjects—including cooking, woodworking, spirituality, hiking, young families, and mussar (practical Jewish ethics)—and we’re eager to add more.
Recent ideas include photography, Israeli Folk Dancing, and Jewish literature. If any of those are up your alley, please let us know!
As a Kesher leader, you would:
Choose the focus of your group
Set goals and agendas
Schedule meetings at a pace that works for you and your participants
TBT will provide logistical support and periodic gatherings for Kesher leaders to share ideas, resources, and solutions to common challenges. Whether you’re an artist at heart, a craftsperson, a philosopher, or something else altogether – Kesher is for you!
If you’re interested in starting a new Kesher group, please contact the Kesher Leaders group Chairperson Michael Feldman at michael@mafeldman.com.
Shalom,
Rabbi Danny Moss
Michael Feldman