The Connection Warren-Watchung Edition Sept/Oct/Nov 2018

PAGE 92 THE WARREN-WATCHUNG CONNECTION SEPT/OCT/NOV 2018 The Affordable Alternative We are a warm and welcoming center providing multi-generational learning celebration & worship Chai Center for Jewish Life For more information, to register a child, or to purchase tickets: visit www.ChaiCenterNJ.org or call 908.864.7788 Sharon Friedman Executive Director Wendy Merkin Piller President Join us for the High Holy Days Services led by Rabbi Kim Geringer and Musician Steven Dropkin Services will be held at 775 Talamini Road, Bridgewater Register for our fun, creative, camp-style Sunday school Located at 20 Shawnee Drive, Watchung “Spot It” and send your answer with your name, town & phone number to: spotthefake@theconnectionsnj.com Subject Line: FAKE Somewhere in the magazine is a theconnectionsnj.com “Rebecca and Jason” (not their real names) are Jewish newlyweds. Both grew up attending Hebrew school and holiday services, but other than having a Jewish wedding, neither has participated in Jew- ish activities, culture, or organizations since college. However, they are looking to reconnect with the Jewish community, but want to do so on their terms. They anticipate starting a family and are looking for a connection they feel comfortable with, which is why the Chai Center for Jewish Life attracted them. Rebecca and Jason are typical millennials. They are more spiritual than religious and don’t want to join the kind of traditional synagogue they grew up in. According to a Pew Research study of religion among mil- lennials (18-29-year-olds), 60% of millen- nials raised in any religion have left. One third of Jewish millennials think of Judaism as their ancestry or identity, not religion. Only 27% attend services; how- ever, 42% say they pray daily and 67% believe in an afterlife. Rather than attend- ing religious services, they satisfy spiritual needs through meditation, yoga, and com- munity service. Millennials are seeking to pick and choose the aspects of religion that work for them. They were taught to think for themselves and feel traditional religion boxes them into a set of beliefs. They want trans- parency. They want to participate in valid community service without being lectured about giving back and serving others. They want to be heard and feel valued. They want to confront the hard topics, such as civil and social rights, moral issues, and current events, and discuss them openly in a nonjudgmental manner. In addition, millennials don’t want to des- ignate a large portion of their often limit- ed disposable income to membership dues. At Chai Center, “the affordable alter- native,” individuals determine what their contribution will be, without answering a committee’s questions about their income and expenses. Although there is a recom- mended “sustaining membership” it is lower than most synagogue dues. Also, if a family has a child or children in the reli- gious school, the school fee is all that is required; no additional dues are requested. Based in Watchung, N.J., Chai Center for Jewish Life is a member centric organiza- tion. While at most traditional syna- gogues, the rabbi and cantor are in charge, at Chai Center members decide every- thing, from when, where, and how servic- es will be held to what types of social and cultural events will be presented. Chai Center doesn’t even rely on a single rabbi; three rabbis of different backgrounds rotate to lead Torah study. At Chai Center, members are encouraged to take part in the activities that work for them. Some just send children to the fun, camp-style religious school. Others attend Saturday morning Torah study or worship together in a casual environment. Many members attend our Share-A-Shabbat potluck dinner, attend cultural events such as plays, walking tours of New York, and guest speaker presentations. Men’s and Women’s Nights out are popular, as is a weekly Mah Jong game. Everyone chooses the activities that meet his or her needs. Members can choose to give back to the community in a variety of ways. Some provide food and serve at a local soup kitchen. Others lead Friday afternoon services at nearby assisted living resi- dences. Holiday food drives and various Bar and Bat Mitzvah projects allow many to assist in helping those in need. Anyone with an idea or activity for the Chai community can implement it; no vote of approval from a ruling board is required. All are welcome at all activities; most are free or very low cost. Members range in age from young children to senior citizens and come from a variety of back- grounds. No one is turned away. “Rebecca and Jason” joined the Chai Cen- ter because it fit their needs. It is afford- able, inclusive, and welcoming. Jason feels comfortable at Men’s Night Out while Rebecca finds satisfaction providing food for the soup kitchen every month. Both participate in the monthly Share-A-Shabbat and have made new friends of all ages. Fore more information about Chai Center for Jewish Life, visit the website at Chai- centernj.org or call 908-864-7788. All activities are open to the public and listed on the website calendar. CHAI CENTER ATTRACTS MILLENNIALS By: Traci Rosen Blank and Debbie Ann Weiner www.theconnectionsnj.com