This fall, the Bronfman Center for Jewish Life launches The Home Project — a new series of programs that aim to foster stronger community at 92Y for Jews of color, LGBTQ+ Jewish families, first generation Jews, and others who are too often left without a sense of spiritual belonging in New York and American Jewish life at large.
When the 92nd Street Y was established nearly 150 years ago, it served as a home base for those who had little or no Jewish community in New York City beyond their families. It was in this spirit that 92Y leadership saw an opportunity to reach beyond 92Y’s existing community when Rabbi Joui Hessel arrived at the Bronfman Center last April.
“92Y was originally created by German Ashkenazi Jews who wanted to welcome unaffiliated Jews, who had no spiritual home in New York,” Rabbi Hessel says. “In 2021 and beyond, we want to find Jews for whom formal Jewish institutions haven’t worked, for one reason or another, and let them know that they have a home here — to bring folks in, introduce them to one another, and then bring them into the fold of our community at large. But to do that, we need to build trust. That’s what The Home Project is all about.”
The first events of The Home Project are designed specifically for Jews of color: people with family origins in African, Asian or Latin American countries; those who identify as Arab, Persian, Indigenous, Sephardi, Mizrachi, or of mixed heritage; and those who are raising children or partnered with Jews of color. All are welcome and encouraged to join, and all events are free of charge.
Rabbi Hessel acknowledges that fostering community is about more than gathering individuals together. “A community is able to form real bonds when families are able to connect with other families — not just kids with other kids and parents with other parents, but when everyone comes together all at once.”
As such, the first Home Project events are designed for families. They include a Pajama Havdalah on November 20 — in which parents and kids are encouraged to arrive in their coziest pajamas for fun family art projects, conversation, wine for the grownups, and a very short service to celebrate the end of Shabbat. Other events include an afternoon of winter-style summer camp on December 4, a pre-Hanukah family gathering under the stars on December 5, and much more to come. In all the gatherings, Jews of color will lead the festivities.
Rabbi Hessel ultimately sees herself as a facilitator of The Home Project rather than its director. “I would like for the community to plan the events in which they are interested. I’m here to make those gatherings happen,” she says. “That’s how we can create a true partnership together. We are here to affirm everyone’s sense of belonging and belief.”
Join us for The Home Project’s Pajama Havdalah on Saturday, November 20, 4 PM ET and our pre-Chanukah gathering on Sunday, December 5, 3 PM ET.