Tribe 12 – To launch a cohort experience that brings together young Jewish adults to engage with Jewish wisdom and foster a sense of belonging to combat disconnection and uncertainty in today’s complex world.

What inspired your initiative for this project?

I have been working with emerging and young adults for several years and I have seen a distinct shift since the pandemic, and the atrocities of October 7th. Young people are struggling to feel a sense of hope, lacking strong social connections, and feeling generally burnt out. 

What are some of the planned activities for the cohorts in this program?

This initiative is guided by four pillars: surrounding ourselves with good people, believing the world can be a better place, feeling empowered to make the world better, and learning what truly fills our cups and making time for those things. Our spring cohort will offer an overview of the Jewish wisdom and practices behind the pillars, the summer cohort will focus on how strong friendships can support the pillars, and will end with a retreat, and the fall cohort will infuse High Holiday ritual and teachings into the pillars. 

Additionally we are creating one off programs that connect to each pillar including volunteering at a community garden, a storytelling workshop focused on resilience, and a craft event where constituents find ways to bring nature into their homes.

Beyond the learning model, how will you facilitate your social/community-based goals?

We are incentivizing adding deeper community building to all events, as long as staff and lay leaders connect it to this initiative. Our goal is to support folks in leading more connected, hopeful and meaningful lives- and to help make each gathering an opportunity to deepen connections and resilience. Our leadership team has created a list of suggested ways to do this at our regular events.