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

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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