A Practical Guide to Boomer Programming Catherine S. Fischer Director of Community Engagement Congregation Rodeph Shalom January 12, 2017

Vision At the heart of the visionary congregation is an overarching commitment to sacred purpose, a commitment that suffuses all aspects of the community. - Sacred Strategies: Transforming Synagogues From Functional To Visionary, by Rabbi Lawrence A. Hoffman Creating Profound Connections

Creating Profound Connections Our Vision Statement Our vision is to awaken our human spirit to the possibilities within and between us. We create a Jewish community of profound connections through transformative study, prayer, and urban engagement. Standing on the shoulders of our historic congregation's founders, we dedicate ourselves to ensuring the future of the Jewish people. Creating Profound Connections

Creating Profound Connections Vision Informs Practice Creating relationships through Connection Groups based on age/stage of life and/or interest Young Friends (20 and 30’s) Families With Young Children Families With School- Aged Children BoomRS (baby boomers) Singles Over 40 Prime Timers (65+) Diversity (racially diverse families) PRISM (LGBTQA) Caring Community Men of RS RS Women ReadRS Creating Profound Connections

Creating Profound Connections Understanding Current Demographics RS currently has 461 baby boomer household (total 1155) and 661 individual baby boomer age members. Profile of our baby boomer population: More moving into Center City Seeking meaning Seeking community Have resources (e.g. time, money, wisdom, skills) Want to engage in meaningful work and share skills Diverse (e.g. LGBTQ population) Seeking a relationship with clergy and don’t have an imminent life cycle event Gender – needs and interests vary? Care about millennials Creating Profound Connections

Creating Profound Connections Nodal Moments* for Creating Profound Connections A moment that fundamentally changes you and your relationship with a person, situation, place or thing Losing or getting a job, retiring (Professional Networking, worship, community) Buying a home (hanging a mezuzah) Illness (pastoral & Caring Community) Graduating from school (worship, community) * Nodal Moments, term used by Rabbi Lawrence A. Hoffman Creating Profound Connections

Creating Profound Connections Baby Boomer Nodal Moments* for Creating Profound Connections Caring for children Children leaving/returning home Career shifts, retirement, encore careers Caring for aging parents, spouses Changing bodies Changing friendships Illness Moving, downsizing, getting rid of “stuff” * Nodal Moments, term used by Rabbi Lawrence A. Hoffman Creating Profound Connections

Creating Profound Connections Power of Listening Among other things, Audacious Welcoming is ”... A two way street where synagogue and stranger need each other - not just teach new comers but for them to teach us.... –Rabbi Rick Jacobs Listening to what matters Keeping vision and mission front and center Focus on process NOT programs Relationships, relationships, relationships Time. Letting things evolve organically and letting go of what use to work. Creating Profound Connections

Creating Profound Connections Example BoomRS in Transition: Started out as 4 sessions on becoming an empty nester. Lasted for 7 years Curriculum: nodal moments More women participated ultimately becoming an all women’s group. Utilized talents within the congregation (no costs) Nurtured leadership Outgrowth: ReadRS, Caring for Aging Parents, Shabbat dinners, social opportunities, Caring Community, and Social Action. Creating Profound Connections

Creating Profound Connections BoomRS Looking at baby boomer engagement extends beyond BoomRS: Baby boomers may prefer worship, adult education, social action Some of our Baby Boomers never go to a BoomRS event. Important to keep it fresh and there is a risk of being “clicky” Creating Profound Connections

Creating Profound Connections BoomRS Keeping Process Fresh: Reminders of our vision and mission (e.g. Community Building Summit) Seeking avenues for listening and time for reflection (“clicky”) Union for Reform Judaism: Community of Practice * Listening Campaign * Wise Aging Collaboration with other Connection Groups (Young Friends) and organizations (e.g. Penn’s Village) Creating Profound Connections

Creating Profound Connections Conclusion Vision driven Understanding your community & environment Listening Relationships: process & people over programs Reflection Letting go of what worked before Resources: Sacred Aging, Wise Aging Creating Profound Connections