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Havurah Study - Bayt Midrash

The primary dynamic of havurah study is Bayt Midrash and is different from that of conventional study.

Bayt Midrash means literally House of Inquiry and is a system of study that has its origins in the first century of this era, perhaps even earlier than that. It is the antithesis of the conventional system of learning experienced today.

In a conventional academic setting, a teacher addresses students. In Bayt Midrash students address each other. In a conventional setting there is quiet in the classroom, other than for the voice of the teacher and the questions of the students. In Bayt Midrash the interaction within groups of students is nearly constant, and it is not uncommon to hear a din within the rooms as students argue texts and situations with each other,

In a conventional setting, a student must risk oneself before the entire class when speaking. In Bayt Midrash the risk is limited to one other students, perhaps two or three others at most, and ultimately to accepting friends rather than just fellow students, so risk and involvement is encouraged.

If you have ever visited a yeshiva, and Orthodox house of learning, or seen the movie Yentl, you have seen Bayt Midrash in action. But you need not be orthodox to use the technique.

What is Havurah?

According to Wikipedia - havurah or chavurah is Hebrew for 'fellowship'.  It is a small group of like-minded Jews who assemble for the purposes of facilitating Shabbat and holiday prayer services, sharing communal experiences such as lifecycle events, and Jewish learning.

At the Temple of the Arts, we encourage the formation of havurot, and support the uniqueness of purpose that each havurah brings to our congregation.  We recognize that nobody is an authority or an expert when it comes to havurah.  As we search for our own identity within the ranks of the congregation, the havurah has a way of supporting us as important cogs within the machine that runs the temple, and enables our outreach to the communithy.

The intimate setting of the havurah enables us to 'come out of ourselves' and get involved.  The havurah can teach us much about Judaism.  The advantage of the havurah is that in these smaller gatherings, we are better able to individually express our opinions, our needs and our wants to each other.  When we are open in our communication, we enable growth.  The havurah is our nest where we can nurture and support the other havurah-ites, and in turn receive their support.

The Temple of the Arts is a growing community.  Being part of a havurah is a way to feel the warmth and support of the entire Temple of the Arts community without feeling lost, or intimidated.  There is a joy in belonging!  

Rabbi Baron encourages you to either join an existing Temple of the Arts havurah, or start your own!

A Message From Havurot Chairman Cynthia Berchan

Dear Congregants:

As a relatively new member of Temple of the Arts, I wanted to quickly get involved.  I joined the Women’s Group and soon took on the role of President.    I am forming various Havurot (friendship circles based on common interests) that so many of you have requested.  Having held this position on the University Synagogue Board of Directors a while back, I can vouch for it being a thoroughly satisfying endeavor. So many temple members developed long friendships through the common interests shared in the various groups

The interest for the Havurot was overwhelming at Temple’s first “Meet and Greet,” which took place at 7 p.m. before Services last month.  So many people signed up for the various groups.  And this last Friday night, even more people expressed a desire to be part of these groups and gave me their names, numbers and e-mail address.                                                    

The entire list of Havurah choices is at the end of this Newsletter.  Please mark the box next to the group/s you are interested in (and PLEASE feel free to join more than one).  Then email the Temple (with Attention: Havurot).

The groups typically are about 15-20 people. This way the group is manageable if having to meet in someone’s home or travel somewhere.

As soon as I have a response from you as to your interests and enough names to create a group, I will then meet with your Havurah to formulate your objectives, meeting times and place, etc..  Remember, you can definitely sign up for more than one.  And ONE OF THE PERKS IS, there is NO CHARGE!

I have created a collaged “Tree of Life for The Temple of the Arts”.   As each person joins a Havurah group or becomes active in some way at the Temple, he/she will receive his/her own Maple leaf with their name on it, which will be attached to the tree. The tree will be in the rotunda for Shabbat Services. I am sure that in no time we will have a tree in full bloom, with a temple radiating the same blossoming of activity and community spirit.

Looking forward to hearing from you ASAP.  Remember, we’re really going to build a Temple of the Arts community in this coming year, but it will take YOU to make it happen!

We want to start the New Year 2011 off on the right foot, so please contact me as soon as possible.  New group members will always be accepted, but we need members wanting to build our community immediately.  Come on!  Give it a try!  You have absolutely nothing to lose and only new friends to gain!

Warmly,

Cynthia Berchan/ TOTAWG President and Havurah Chairperson

 

Below are the Havurah groups we are considering.   You are definitely encouraged to join more than one.  

  • A travel group for men and women who love to discuss their past adventures and just might travel together in the future   
  • Singles groups (more or less by age)
  • A once a month restaurant group that appreciates fine dining and trying
  • New places in and around the city
  • A Talmud study group
  • A Mens’ Forum
  • A Bridge Club
  • A Mah Jongg Club
  • A Poker Night for Men
  • A Poker for Women

(Beginners will be welcomed and tutored in the delights of the above games.)

  • The Men’s’ Forum (with interests to be decided by members)
  • A Cooking Club for men and women (Jewish delights as well as others)
  • Friday night Dinners at various people’s homes, with the Rabbi and his wife if their schedule permits
  • A Go to Movies or Theater Group (with or without dinner & discussion)
  • Yoga / Pilates /Runners Groups
  • Mommy and Me Group
  • Musical Instrument Group (all instruments & types of music)
  • Vocal Group (that would sing all types of music, including
  • Songs (favored at the Temple of the Arts services)
  • Knitting / Crocheting Group
  • Reading Clubs (all types of literature, not only Jewish)
  • Fine Art Group
  • Community Aid/Project Group
  • Group for those with young children
  • Group for those with “in-betweens” and teens

If you have an idea for a group that is not mentioned here, please let me know.  And if you need assistance in getting to the temple in order to participate, please let me know that also. 

Cynthia Berchan