Kehilat Chaverim is organized around its members, and facilitated by an all-volunteer Steering Committee.

2023-2024 Steering Committee and Committee Chairs

Community Action – Sue Garten*and Faith Fuerst* community.action@kehilatchaverim.org

Organizes community outreach efforts, volunteer opportunities, and participates in activities. Recent projects have included preparing meals and serving at a soup kitchen, collecting bags and items for the girls at The Bridge, sorting and bagging produce at Foodshare’s Regional Market, and running a turkey drive.

Festivals– Ellen Coffey* and Sheila Mascolo* festivals@kehilatchaverim.org

Plans activities for Sukkot, Hanukkah, Purim and Passover, and coordinates with the Shabbat Committee when appropriate. Past celebrations have included outdoor Sukkot Shabbat potluck dinners and services, Hanukkah parties, Purim plays and costume parties, Passover recipe tastings, creative seder ideas, paint your own pottery to create original Seder items.

LIfelong Learning — Harriet Winograd* and Andrea Levy lifelong.learning@kehilatchaverim.org

Organizes and facilitates diverse programs for the membership. Activities have included salons at which members discuss such topics as current events, Jewish identity, and books of interest. Presents educational programs and outings related to Jewish history and culture.

Marketing & Communications – Dan Haar* communications@kehilatchaverim.org

Plans and publishes the bi-monthly newsletter. Determines content of the newsletter and website. Researches, writes, and edits articles pertaining to Judaism, members, and the larger Jewish community. Develops special projects to foster pride in the group and to use as a public relations tool. Oversees the collection of photos for media distribution and advises on the writing and distribution of media releases. Designs and places ads in appropriate publications and program books.

Membership – Debby Szajnberg* and Karen Dworski* membership@kehilatchaverim.org

Helps integrate new members and updates the annual membership list. Maintains information on referrals and resources for life-cycle events. Responds to and provides support for members as needed. Coordinates the Annual Fall Membership Meeting.

Shabbat –Susan Doran* and Marty Kapper* shabbat@kehilatchaverim.org

Coordinates Shabbat services, usually monthly in members’ homes sometimes combined with a Jewish holiday that KC celebrates as a group. Determines the date and time as well as the format of the event and the service: a full or abbreviated service; a potluck dinner or just dessert; Friday night or Saturday Havdalah. Committee responsibilities include calendar planning, recruiting hosts, advertising gatherings, assisting hosts with shopping, set up and clean up, and reimbursing hosts for expenses. As needed for COVID-19 safety,services may be held on ZOOM.

Social Activities –Laura Pels* social.activities@kehilatchaverim.org

Creates fun experiences to deepen fellowship and to provide opportunities for group friendship. Events have included theater outings to Playhouse on Park, sports events (Yard Goats), museum trips, a visit to the Yiddish Book Center and celebrating KC milestone anniversaries.

Administration:

  • Steering Committee Administration — Ellen Coffey*

  • Membership Administration — Debby Szajnberg*

  • Treasurer — Nancy Malley*

  • Emails to Membership – Nancy Malley* info@kehilatchaverim.org

  • External Inquiries (contact for public and prospective members) – Karen Dworski* info@kehilatchaverim.org

  • Website manager – Bob Abraham

Ad Hoc groups:

  • High Holidays – Sue Garten*

  • GHIAA (Greater Hartford Interfaith Action Alliance) – Karen Dworski* info@kehilatchaverim.org

For reimbursement for Kehilat Chaverim expenses, submit the Expense Reimbursement Form to Nancy Malley