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Jewish community connects through chavurah

Published Tuesday, November 24, 2009 11:56 AM

By David Berman
Summerville Journal Scene ®

As the Sabbath ended Saturday, something else was just beginning in Summerville.

In a town without a synagogue, more than 20 members of the local Jewish community found their way to fellowship by way of a new chavurah. They marked the end of Shabbat with a musical Havdalah service and then spent the rest of the evening socializing.

Chavurah, Hebrew for “fellowship,” is defined as a small group of like-minded Jews who gather for a common purpose. While it can be independent of a synagogue, the Summerville chavurah was organized under the auspices of Kahal Kadosh Beth Elohim, the reform Jewish congregation in Charleston.

The possibility of a Summerville chavurah was first discussed months ago in KKBE's chavurot committee, which includes Summerville resident Patrick Labbe. Donna Spencer, a lay leader at KKBE, suggested a Havdalah service for the first meeting.

Spencer, who led the service while strumming an acoustic guitar, said it’s important for Jews in Summerville to know one another, especially in the event one of them falls ill or otherwise needs assistance.

“I think there are a lot more Jewish people in the area than we know about,” she said.

Labbe was raised Catholic but returned to his father’s Jewish roots three years ago. He helped organize the chavurah because it’s important that he meets other Jewish people, he said.

He envisions the chavurah having a religious component, but sees it as more of a mechanism for bringing the Jewish community together.

“It’s not an attempt to start a temple,” he said. “We’re trying to network…the whole idea of this is it’s a social thing.”

“Most of the things we do, we don’t need a rabbi, but if we need one, we can get one,” Spencer said.

One attendee, Bob Orenstein, said he would like to see Summerville have a synagogue some day. He thinks the chavurah might just be the first step.

“I think it’s wonderful and in a few years, we could get something really going here,” he said.

The group discussed ideas for future meetings that included a movie night and bowling in addition to worship. Jews of all denominations are invited to attend the chavurah, as are non-Jews.

Spencer said there are “endless possibilities” for the group and she was optimistic about the turnout. “I think we have a good future here.”

The chavurah is planning a Hanukkah party for December. For more information, contact Labbe at patlabb@aol.com.

Contact David Berman at 873-9424 ext. 214 or dberman@journalscene.com

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