Most synagogues welcome new members, who tend to be married young couples, and orient activities toward younger members. We evaluated our synagogue’s membership (525 total members) in September 2023, and we found that 61% of our membership (320 members) were over the age of 54 years. We further judged there was insufficient social activity for this group. Therefore, we elected to plan more social events for 55+ Empty Nesters via social activities and trips.

A Committee was formed in September 2023 consisting of approximately eight members. Each member was supposed to organize and lead one social event per year. Events were discussed in the Committee. For each event (see events below), a summary of the event was produced three to four weeks prior to the event, and it was advertised in the Wednesday and Shabbat internet bulletins. It was also advertised twice over the internet to age 55+ members, and the Committee Chairman advertised it two more times to a more limited list of those who attended a previous event or were his friends. The price was basically at “costs”. There were also scholarships for those who needed one.  We also tried to do a lunch / dinner so members could interact. Many of the events were thought to be unusual, and many positive comments were received. We tracked those who attended each event. Our plan is to do at least six events per year. The main purpose of the events is to increase social activity and to increase friendships among members. We are located in Stamford, CT.

Events

1. Visit to Samuel Clemens (Mark Twain’s) house / museum and the Hartford Jewish Community CT (n=17)

2. Whiskey tasting event in the synagogue (n=35)

3. Local movie and sandwich dinner (n=40)

4. Tour of Yale University in New Haven and visit to New Haven Jewish community and lunch (n=21)

5. New York Yankee game (n=13)

6. Arts and Craft project at an art center and dinner (n=22)

7. Local play and box dinners (n=30)

8. Jewish Historical Society of Fairfield Counts shows movie, The Family Store, at the synagogue (n=30)

9. Old steam train / boat ride in the town of Essex CT (future event)

10. The Bruce Museum in Greenwich CT and dinner (future event)

11. The Bridge 7 mansion and art collection in Greenwich CT with box lunches (future event)

12. Board games night at the synagogue (future event)

13. The latest on nutritional diets with dinner (future event)

14. Boat ride in Norwalk CT with lunch (future event)

15. New York Yankees game or other sport event (future event)

16. Visit to West Point with lunch (future event)

17. Local play, movie, concert, Arboretum with meal, etc.