Now that our population has grown to approximately 100, we are finding new ways to connect with each other on a more personal, intimate level.  To that end we have talked about or have done the following:

HOST A SHABBAT DINNER

Hosting is completely voluntary.  There is no limit to the number of times someone can host or to the number of host homes who want to commit on the same date.  Each host will determine the number of guests they can seat at one table so guest slots could vary from a minimum of 2 to a maximum of 10 people.  The host will determine the menu and assign everyone an item to bring.   Each dinner should include the Shabbat blessings over the candles, challah and wine, all of which are short and simple (here's a You Tube video to help those unfamiliar), and can most certainly be done in English rather than Hebrew.  Even Archie Bunker shows us how anyone can do it!   Opportunities to attend a Shabbat dinner will be extended first to those who have not yet attended one.  Once you attend a dinner you will be "waitlisted" for three days after future Evites are sent to allow those who have never attended a chance to respond.  Shelli will keep track of this information for the host HOST A KABBALAT SHABBAT  The phrase Kabbalat Shabbat is translated to Welcoming the Sabbath.  Rather than a formal sit down dinner, this would be an open house event where the rituals of candles, challah and wine are performed by and for the community.  Afterwards would be noshing and schmoozing.  The host will dicate the evening's events. WILMINGTON JEWISH FILM FESTIVAL We are so fortunate to have something this precious to our community this close by.  In the past I have merely passed along information about the Festival as it occurs.  Now I would encourage groups to make an evening of it -- do dinner and the movie.  It is a wonderful way to connect on a very personal level.   LADIES MAH JONGG If you've never played but would like to learn, this may be a great opportunity for you.  There are a number of women who have expressed interest, at varying levels of competition (generally it's a game played for money, but folks like myself play just for the fun of it).  YOU WILL NEED A COPY OF THE CURRENT YEAR'S MAH JONGG CARD TO PLAY but hopefully you can borrow one from a friend or order a current year's card for only $4 from AMJA but there are numerous sites from which to order, such as Mah Jongg Maven.  It may even make sense to place a group order so there's only one shipping fee. SAY A M'SHABERACH (the Jewish prayer for healing) I say this prayer regularly and add the names people in the community give me, so at any time feel free to give me a name to add to the list.  I will also check in on you from time to time to see if that name should stay on the list.  For anyone wishing to say the prayer, here it is May the one who blessed our ancestors, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, Sarah, Rebecca, Rachel and Leah, bless and heal those who are ill   (NAME/s).  May the Blessed Holy One be filled with compassion for their health to be restored and their strength to be revived. May God swiftly send them a complete renewal of body and spirit, and let us say, Amen.