Sh’ma Groups
Looking to connect with fellow Beth David members and create meaningful relationships?
Join a Sh’ma Group!
What are Sh’ma Groups? Cohorts of 6-14 people that connect over a shared interest or life stage with a goal of building deep relationships. They meet about once a month and occasionally gather for Jewish holidays throughout the year. Some groups are continuing from previous years and some are starting new this season. Here are all our current groups – those with descriptions below are open to recruitment:
- Suburban Singles Dining out – led by Sandy Portnoy
- Dinner and Short Story Discussion Sh’ma Group – led by Susan Hoffman
- Playground Fun – Parents of Young Children Sh’ma group – led by Adam Podowitz-Thomas
- Sabbath Meal Sh’ma Groups – Susan Weinberg & Kathy Barkan
- Positive Aging – Led by Marya Margolis
- Wise Aging – led by Vicki Lipoff
- Bottles, Boards, and Banter Sh’ma Group – led by Franklin Kline and Sharon Walker
- Book Club for Award Winning Books – Coordinated by Jim Bleiberg and Janet Schwartz
Suburban Singles Dining out – led by Sandy Portnoy
This Sh’ma group is open to self-described singles who are members of Beth David, no matter where they live, who like to have Sunday lunch at restaurants in the suburbs.
Dinner and Short Story Discussion Sh’ma Group – led by Susan Hoffman
Gather downtown for good food and good discussion, usually a Tuesday dinner. We often meet for a short story or streamed film and then discuss.
Playground Fun – Parents of Young Children Sh’ma group – led by Adam Podowitz-Thomas
This Sh’ma group is for parents of children who are not yet religious school age, to share community and connect over parenting our youngest Beth David members. We’ll meet once a month during religious school (so parents with kids who bridge the age gap can focus on their littlest ones!) at Gladwyne Park Playground, or another location based on weather and group interest.
Sabbath Meal – led by Susan Weinberg and Kathy Barkan
Join once a month for Sabbath dinner with friends in each other’s homes. We’ll welcome in Shabbat with blessings, then enjoy food and company together!
Bottles, Boards, and Banter Sh’ma Group – led by Franklin Kline and Sharon Walker
This Sh’ma group is focused on alcohol tastings and board games hosted in Franklin and Sharon’s home. Each month, everyone will bring a bottle to share and explore different types, regions, or varietals of alcoholic drinks (red wine, whiskey, beer, liqueur, etc). It will be a member motivated selection. And while we enjoy the drinks, we will play board and card games provided by our members. From strategy to luck based, we will have fun with them all!