FEATURE
What’s To Do in Memphis?
By Shoshana Cenker
No matter what your age or religious affiliation, several Jewish organizations have come up with some pretty diverse and exciting things to do around Memphis.
Jews Around Memphis, originally organized for post-college people
ages 20-39, recently revamped its program to include singles, couples and
families with children under 5 years old. Temple Israel’s Rabbi Adam Grossman,
Celia Mutchnik and a planning committee decided that “they wanted to build a large,
positive Jewish community, help participants maintain a connection to a
spiritual center and build leadership, all while doing fun and exciting
programs,” says Rabbi Grossman. “We hold events at Temple, sports venues, even
beauty salons. At sundown on Sept. 19; we’ll be holding a Rosh Hashanah event
at Dixon Galleries and Gardens.”
Joining, he explains, has its perks. “Our Community 6 Pack ($225 singles, $315 couples) enables young people to join Temple Israel at a reduced cost; receive a six- month JCC membership, a one-year membership to Bravo Arts Memphis, two tickets to the Memphis Symphony Orchestra and subscriptions to The Hebrew Watchman and Jewish Scene magazine,” says Rabbi Grossman. “We hope to extend the ‘walls’ of Temple and forge ties with the greater community. We want to facilitate the Jewish community regardless of affiliation.”
Jewish adults ages 23-33 looking
for social and professional networking opportunities are now in luck. “JGrads+ connects Jewish young
professionals, recent grads and graduate students to opportunities for
networking, professional development and community involvement,” says lead
coordinator Irina Bozin, who worked with Hillel of Memphis Director Sherry
Weinblatt to organize the program. “Members have the opportunity to develop
business relationships, share valuable information and establish long lasting
friendships – all while having a great time.” JGrads+ one-year membership is just $25, and comes with some nice
benefits. “Members receive discounts at Jewish-owned local businesses,
invitations to attend closed job forums with local Jewish businesses, a weekly
e-newsletter and more,” says Irina. “Plans are underway for happy hours, trivia
nights, pool parties, Salsa/Swing dancing, volunteer
events, outings to the Zoo, Mud Island, Shelby Farms, and lots more!”
If you’re pushing 40, 50 is the New 30 Chavara Group at Beth
Sholom may be for you. “There was a need and desire for a group that attracts
people born between 1950 and 1969 and their spouses,” explains Kathy Kastan,
who co-chairs the group with Hallie Cohen and Shelley Robbins. “It’s an outlet
for an age group that sometimes falls between other target audiences.” Members
have enjoyed a wine and scotch tasting, pool party, and most recently, an
‘Escape to the Islands’ party. “The casual events are typically held at a
congregant’s home, where there’s great food, drinks and a friendly atmosphere
to chat and catch up,” she says. “It’s an opportunity to connect with other
Jewish people from this demographic in a fun and relaxing way. There has been
tremendous interest from Beth Sholom members and from other synagogues.”
Welcoming eclectic Jews of all ages and from diverse backgrounds in the Midtown/Downtown Memphis area is the New Jewish Neighborhood House (JNH), whose history dates back more than 100 years! “In 1901, the Memphis Jewish community founded the Jewish Neighborhood House; a community center for new Jewish immigrants. Located in the Pinch District, JNH offered educational classes, child care and job skills as the newcomers made the transition to their new country,” explains Sarah Newstock, who upon moving to Midtown Memphis two years ago hooked up with former Midtown Jewdo (JNH’s predecessor) organizer Carol Buchman. The original JNH closed in the 1950s and later became Jewish Family Service.
So where is this ‘House’ and what does the organization do? “Instead of a traditional community center or synagogue, we celebrate coming together as a community in our own homes,” says Sarah. “In the spirit of the original community, we are striving to meet the needs of neighbors by creating a sense of Jewish community for the diverse Jews living in the Memphis Diaspora. We come together to celebrate Jewish life through prayer, ritual, art, song, learning, continuity and community.”
Photos:
1) Jews Around Memphis “Dreidels and Dim Sum” Steven Weisman, Rabbi Adam Grossman and Missy Weisman
2) JGrads+ organizer Irina Bozin
3) 50 is the new 30s enjoyed the lovely weather and friendly atmosphere at the Saslawsky home. Terry & Michael Blaiss, Rhonda Saslawsky, Paul Rubin, Janet Light
For more information about these organizations:
Jews Around Memphis: www.timemphis.org/about/jam.htm
JGrads+: http://jgrads.webs.com
50 is the New 30 Chavara Group: www.bsholom.org
New Jewish Neighborhood House: www.newjewishneighborhoodhouse.org
Shoshana
Cenker was born and raised in Memphis,
graduated from White Station High School in 1998 and from Indiana University in
Bloomington in 2002 with a B.A. in Broadcast Journalism and a minor in Hebrew
and Jewish Studies. She studied abroad at Hebrew University of Jerusalem in
Israel. She is the Director of Communications at Greenfield Hebrew Academy.
She and her husband Dovid, live in Atlanta, GA.
