Campaign Aimed at Getting Gen X-ers Back to Synagogue

I always say I like social media, and particularly Twitter, not because I can learn what someone had for lunch yesterday, but if you target who you are following, you can connect with like-minded people from around the globe.

So I was excited to see a link to this article on a blog called "Are You There, God? It's Me, Generation X" about a synagogue in San Francisco that is doing "hip and cool" stuff to attract younger Jews back to Synagogue, like Jewish Swim lessons, and "Outdoor Jewish Adventure," that they claim is not an oxymoron! The program is called "Nita: Get Your Jewish On."

Well, we've tried wine tasting and Salsa at the Synagogue...maybe it's time to take this show on the road! A progressive dinner? A hike in the Forest Preserve? The Gan Challah Baking was hugely successful--maybe it's Hamantaschen next time...at a Jewish bakery?

As we found with even the Salsa dancing and Havdallah, it's not so hard to take a moment to center ourselves and allow our religion/spirituality to be an anchor in our lives.

What do you think? What would you like to see us do to connect?

Salsa Night Sizzles at EHNT

Charlie and Miriam, and Bruce and Amy were among those showing off their fancy footwork at the EHNT Parents Club Salsa Night on May 1. Thanks to Nicole and her not-for-profit group Step-It-Up, which promotes healthy families and relationships through Dance, for providing superb Salsa lessons for all.

Dancers take a break from dancing to mug for the camera at Salsa Night, where guests enjoyed a little nosh, refreshments, Havdallah, Salsa history and dance lessons. (Don't let the pout in the front fool you--kids enjoyed ample snacks and fun with Hebrew School Aids Pauline and Svetlana while parents danced.)

"I'm ready for a field trip to the Salsa Club," said Geno. "Me to," echoed Yelena, post lessons.

This event was presented by the EHNT Parents Club and was open to all who wanted to attend. Rabbi Ginsburg kicked off the evening with a Havdallah service, followed by a lesson from our instructors on famous Jewish musicians who have influenced the Salsa. (Here's a great article from NPR more broadly on the connection between Jews and Latin music--but had to mention Irving Fields album that sold 2 million copies in 1959..."From Bagels to Bongos.")

Next up for the Parents Club? A Karaoke Event with the Teen Club and a Child Internet Safety Lunch & Learn/Seminar with a representative of the FBI.

Want to help plan either of these event? Just call Deanna!