Community
We are a diverse and welcoming group of people who share a common desire to nurture our spiritual lives and support each other. We welcome and encourage all who wish to participate and have initiatives for the following groups:
The GRS Center for Young Families
In the fall of 2011, Greenwich Reform Synagogue launched the Center for Young Families, providing programming to meet the needs of families with children from birth to age 6. Programs that have been offered and will continue to be offered: family concerts, parenting workshops, new parent support groups, and the Little Hilltoppers Workshop, a Sunday morning drop-off program for children ages three and four.
Little Hilltoppers Workshop: Children will enjoy a high-energy learning environment, rich with the spirit of Judaism and community. "Students will have fun with song and prayer, art and dance, laughter and joy, fun and friends, giving them an age-appropriate appreciation of the fullness of Judaism and a sense of their Jewish selves," explains Lisa Gittelman Udi, Director of Education at Greenwich Reform Synagogue." Greenwich Reform Synagogue membership is not required for enrollment in the program. The program meets weekly (excluding holidays) from 9:30-11:30 am on Sunday mornings, beginning September 18, 2011 through May 20, 2012. Please contact Stephanie Glaser at 203-629-0018 x1001 for Little Hilltoppers Workshop registration forms as well as more information on upcoming events for young families.
Greenwich Reform Synagogue Youth (GRSTY)
In addition to teen activities for fun and relaxation, GRS teens focus on helping others as a part of Tikkun Olam: helping to feed the hungry at soup kitchens, entertaining residents at local nursing homes during the Jewish holidays, and assisting in food, clothing, and book drives through the year.
Parents
GRS offers many programs for parents on how to raise responsible children and how to help our children navigate the issues of their ages and our times.
Interfaith
Greenwich Reform Synagogue is a tapestry woven together by its diverse community of members of different backgrounds and orientations. As many of our members are in interfaith marriages, we appreciate our partners who encourage and enable us to continue our Jewish traditions and values. The GRS Outreach Committee, reflecting the core values of our congregation, provides a variety of initiatives to make certain members of other faiths feel welcome, valued, and welcomed in our congregation.
Social Action
The GRS community is dedicated to Tikkun Olam, partnering to repair the world. We coordinate a range of activities including:
- Food drives
- Volunteering to aid soup kitchens
- Holiday gift drives for underprivileged children
- Relief efforts for an orphanage in Israel
- Nursing home events to entertain the elderly
If you have a passion to help others, join or lead one of our social action initiatives. Here are a few examples:
- Inspirica, Stamford: GRS volunteers donate food and serve dinner each month at St. Luke’s LifeWorks. If you want to volunteer or donate, please contact Shelly Kaplan at 203-661-5422 or kaplanhouse22@yahoo.com
- Neighbor to Neighbor, Greenwich: A food drive is held each year at Yom Kippur and, assisted by GRYSTY, the youth group, the congregation helps to fill a van with food for the hungry.
- MAZON: A Jewish Response to Hunger: GRS supports MAZON, a highly rated national nonprofit organization dedicated to preventing and alleviating hunger among people of all faiths and backgrounds.
Caring Community
The GRS Caring Community provides assistance to temple members in times of need and celebrates with them in times of joy. If you know of an ill or hospitalized member, please contact the office at (203) 629-0018. We encourage the participation of volunteers to keep in touch with our members through telephone calls, visits, by sending cards, etc. To join this committee, please contact Denise at denise@grs.org.
Music
Music is a vital part of our congregational life, and we welcome everyone to participate. Cantor Lipton elevates our prayers and spirits with her beautiful voice, taking special care to teach us how to join her in song. Anyone who loves to sing can join our Junior or Senior Choirs, while those who prefer musical instruments are welcome to participate in the GRS House Band.
Sisterhood/Brotherhood/Book & Film nights
- Sisterhood: Our vibrant women’s group organizes a variety of activities throughout the year, including social action projects, Knit & Knosh get-togethers (knitting not required), museum days, and other fun activities.
- Brotherhood: A variety of fun events occur throughout the year; recent activities have included a beer tasting night, a minor league baseball game, a Brazilian Steak Night, and an opera night, in addition to efforts to help those in need in our community and beyond.
- GRS Book Group: Regularly meets to discuss books of varied interest, including such recent titles as The Book Thief, Have a Little Faith, The Finkler Question, and others.
- Film nights: C.classic and contemporary American and international films are shown periodically following Friday night services.
Volunteer
Our members contribute to the GRS community in many ways. We are blessed with dedicated volunteers who graciously give of their talents and time to enhance our congregational lives and those of our community. Join us. It’s rewarding and enjoyable and provides a wonderful opportunity to develop friendships with other congregants. Please contact the GRS office for details.
Donate
For information about all of our tzedakah opportunities, including the Annual Circle of Giving and all of our funds, please visit our Giving page or email us at info@grs.org.