Hadar Community Groups: A New Way to Learn and Build Connection

Over the past 20 years, the Hadar Institute has grown to be a center of Jewish life, learning, and practice that builds vibrant egalitarian communities in North America and Israel. Now, Hadar is scaling that mission with Hadar Community Groups—grassroots, peer-led circles that meet regularly to build meaningful Jewish connection on a local level.

Designed to fit the busy lives of everyone from young adults to retirees, these groups of 8-20 participants meet regularly around shared interests, communal Shabbat meals, and Jewish song, prayer, and acts of hesed (kindness). In time, a small gathering can grow into a lasting community.

Launched just last year, Community Groups are already in high demand. Hadar received applications from potential group leaders in 256 cities–from 37 states and Washington DC, five Canadian provinces, and six other countries. More than 300 current active groups have over 3,300 members—half of which have applied to run their group again next year.

What began as a small experiment has become a powerful reminder of how many people are ready to create Jewish life that feels vibrant, relational, and true to their own home communities. I’m excited to keep learning from these leaders as we imagine what’s possible together.
– Jaime Drucker, Director of Hadar Community Groups

To begin a group, a dedicated group leader or leaders apply to Hadar to start a micro-community. Current groups include a parenting group exploring Jewish wisdom about raising children, Jewish song circles learning new melodies together, book clubs focusing on Jewish philosophy and Jewish texts, a Rosh Chodesh group, weekly parashah groups, and a group of young Jews who volunteer at a local food bank and homeless shelter.

Hadar provides infrastructure around meetings through funding and by connecting leaders and participants to a network of other Jews around the country. Some Community Groups use Hadar’s vast array of Project Zug courses to study a particular topic in depth through both havruta (paired) and large group discussions over the course of the year. Joining a Hadar Community Group means joining a grassroots movement that is actualizing a vision of an active, engaged Jewish world.

I don’t think we would ever have gotten to the idea of becoming a caring community based in joy if we didn’t come together, in person, in song and in study. – Jennifer, Milford, MA

Along with digital recruitment, Hadar Community Groups staff and the directors of Hadar’s regional hubs in several U.S. cities identify and recruit potential Community Group leaders. The staff and directors then serve as local resources, training group leaders in best practices for organizing meetings and using original content, including from Hadar’s Project Zug. This regional collaboration is unlocking new opportunities: drawing on a proven model for peer-led engagement, along with a strong and growing presence in Washington, D.C., Hadar Community Groups and Hadar D.C. will partner with the Jewish Federation of Greater Washington to launch a new offering this June, supporting local Jews in their 20s and 30s to build meaningful Shabbat experiences together.

The topic and sources are creating really good discussion! People are being exposed to Talmud who never have been before, and are getting to know each other through learning. – Hezzy, Minneapolis, MN

Since launching the national program, Hadar has experienced a surge in demand, quickly scaling up to support a growing network of local cohorts. Increased leadership training opportunities and enhanced staff support have strengthened the experience for group leaders while an updated digital presence will soon make it easier for others to get started.  Moving forward, Hadar will gain valuable feedback from leaders and participants, ensuring Hadar Community Groups continue to grow as a diverse, high-impact engine for community-building.

More information about Hadar Community Groups is here. The Jim Joseph Foundation is a supporter of the Hadar Institute.