Creating community through Jewish learning
Adam Berg grew up with a love of his Jewish family traditions and culture. Meagan Jennings-Berg is a Jew by choice. Their Open Circle Jewish Learning group, a collaboration of CJP and Hebrew College, lets them explore a Jewish life for them and their daughter, Madeleine.
We met in 2004 at the ripe old age of 19, got married in August 2012, and have been navigating what we want from a Jewish life and family ever since. As young professionals, our time is precious and we wanted to share in a learning experience that would be both meaningful and fun. Joining the CJP young couples learning group combined both for us and exceeded our expectations.
Our first meeting felt like speed dating in the best way possible. We are all working professionals with a certain lifestyle that instantly connected us. Along our journey, we became close with so many different couples at various stages in their lives (married, engaged, dating). Soon, we were hosting sessions at our house, and our passion for discussion grew.
Group learning exposes us to so many different perspectives on Jewish identity and other hot topics. At the heart of the group, being able to learn from our peers is refreshing. It isn’t a lecture; it’s a dialogue with friends over wine. We could measure the success of the night by how much we talked about a topic on the way home. That’s what this is all about for us — engaging with new friends in a casual setting and leaving with much more than we had when we arrived.
We feel at home with this group. It has offered something to us not only as a couple, but also as individuals: as a Jew by choice, a connection to other Jewish women who have shared identities; and also a connection to like-minded men whose love of the military and respect for those who fight for Israel inspired a special trip to visit wounded soldiers. We both feel this experience has deepened our understanding, changed our lives, and energized our Jewish spirit.
Everyone we’ve met through CJP has welcomed us and treated us like family. What more could you ask for in a community? We can’t wait for our daughter to have these resources at her fingertips and discover what a Jewish life means to her.
Israel: Online and in Real Time
“I realized there’s so much about Israel that’s erased from the media and global narratives.” Through the Boston Media Room, young adults are acquiring the knowledge, skills, and tools to positively influence public discourse on Israel.
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Love from a Caring Community
One family’s struggle to regain their financial footing after job loss and illness becomes a journey into the heart of their Jewish community.
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Connecting to Their Heritage
“A lot of students tell me they don’t feel ‘religious enough’ or ‘Jewish enough.’ I hear it all the time.” Learn how Jackie Dratch helps college students find their Jewish connection, even if they didn’t grow up with Jewish traditions.
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Making Changes: Transitions to Work
Through Transitions to Work, people with disabilities are finding a sense of purpose through work.
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Lifting the Burden of Shame
“I was embarrassed and that made it so hard to ask for help,” says Bonnie. But when she could no longer afford transportation to her son’s medical appointments, she called CJP.
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A Design for Giving Back
How could the space be redesigned into an accessible prayer room that would make the residents feel comfortable? And, who could complete the work?
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Two Lives, One Journey
They survived the Holocaust, but the Zuckermans found that war and strife would pursue them into their senior years.
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CJP Brings IACT Nationwide
CJP’s Israel campus initiative supports students before, during and after their Birthright trips. And now IACT is reaching young people on campuses from Massachusetts to California.
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Finding the Courage to Succeed
Ready for Success is a program that helps unemployed, mid-to-late career professionals in Metrowest get back in the job market by enhancing their skills – and raising their confidence.
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New Fund Supports Inclusion at Day Schools
Ready for Success is a program that helps unemployed, mid-to-late career professionals in Metrowest get back in the job market by enhancing their skills – and raising their confidence.
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Finding the Courage to Succeed
Imagine leaving your home country and career to forge a new life in an unfamiliar place.
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Making Friends Across Generations
For a lot of people, there’s nothing too special about Tuesday night. But for a group of teens in the South Area, Tuesday is the best night of the week.
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Building Connections
What happens when you bring together students from top technology universities in Boston and in Haifa, Israel?
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Jewish Life on Campus
Whether you’re a freshman or a returning student, you can find ways to get involved on campus.
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Funding Futures
Every year, CJP’s Scholarship Committee receives applications from hundreds of students who need our help to fund their college education.
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Mensches at Work
What can planting flowers, cleaning up a beach or working behind the scenes at a theater teach your child about Jewish values?
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