When Federation created the position of Community Concierge (part of our Welcoming & Inclusion Team), it recognized the importance of and deepened its commitment to helping community members chart and identify their Jewish experience, whether they’re new to the area, planning to move here, or are long-time residents looking for new connections!
Always striving to provide more opportunities to increase engagement and strengthen community connections, we’re excited to share a new initiative called Next Chapter, focusing on the interests of adults 55+.
We recognize that, at each stage of life, people want and need to be reenergized by exploring new ideas, making new friends, and finding new and meaningful ways to connect with the larger community. Adults 55+ are no exception. As an empty nester myself, I look for unique ways to use my free time where I can make an impact on the lives of others, learn some new things, and explore Jewish connections beyond the context of my kids and family.
We have three amazing chairs to help lead this initiative, Joan Levinson, Merle Lomrantz and Robin Plattman, and are in the process of forming a committee of community representatives who will help shape Next Chapter’s direction, ensuring that the offerings reflect the desires and preferences of this broad and diverse demographic group.
There will be opportunities to participate in hands-on service projects and we will also work closely with our partner agencies and synagogues to collaborate and spread the word about their available programming. We will create a Greater MetroWest where people want to grow older because they feel supported, connected, and valued.
This exciting initiative is made possible, in part, by funding of the Grotta Fund for Older Adults, a philanthropic fund of the Jewish Community Foundation of Greater MetroWest NJ.
Our first Next Chapter event is a Meet & Greet on Thursday, September 12 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. in Whippany. We’ll enjoy food and cocktails, engage in meaningful conversations, and participate in a mitzvah project making aluminum flowers to fill our October 7 memorial garden. I hope to see you there! Register here.
And in the meantime, we’ve set up a WhatsApp group to help facilitate connections, pre-event meetups, and create community. You can request to join us on WhatsApp at this link.