Congregational Engagement Corner - May
Dear PJTC Congregants,
What an incredible March and April we've had!
In early March, USY & Kadima led Shabbat services in person for the first time in two years, AND catered their own kiddush luncheon. They are now available for B'nai Mitzvah catering for a donation. Our youth were also thrilled to be able to gather for an outdoor Purim sleepover on March 20.
Purim at PJTC was bigger and better than ever. 41 volunteers delivered mishloach manot Purim goody bags sponsored by Sisterhood to over 350 households. Then around 190 people enjoyed a festive kosher Persian meal followed by megillah reading and multiple mini Purim spiels. Purim was the last large event PJTC held in person prior to the pandemic. It was very meaningful to be back in person two years later and have such an engaged community in attendance. The Purim CARnival capped off our festivities for the youngest of our families. Please see last month's Member Recognition article for a full list of over 50 volunteers that made our Purim festivities possible.
Hazak: PJTC's new 55+ Social Group's opening event on March 20 was a huge success, where about 50 members reconnected/met new people as they rotated tables to share stories and learn new things about each other over a light supper.
On April 3 we celebrated PJTC's 100th Birthday Party. Congregants of all generations met to share family history with one another and input the data into our time capsule project before shifting to party activities such as a photo booth, cotton candy, balloon art, mah jongg, and bounce houses. A highlight was our Centennial Pop Up Museum, curated by our youth who spent hours carefully culling through information and interviewing congregants to learn more. I was really proud of the way every generation in attendance found meaning in one activity or another. Thank you to lay leaders Michele Browning and Betsy Kahn for ensuring the party and museum were an undeniable success, and to Barbara Levinson for sponsoring delicious birthday cake!
As I type this we are getting ready for the biggest PJTC 2nd night seder ever--with over 170 people planning to attend one of 6 diverse seder options spread throughout the campus. Again, we're so happy to be back in person this year!
Be on the look out for future programming: During the Counting of the Omer, PJTC members are hosting 10 different potluck Shabbat dinners in their backyards. We’re also providing 3 Sunday morning workout opportunities at PJTC.
Want to get more involved but not sure how? Please contact me at melissa@pjtc.net.
Warmly,
Melissa Levy
