Chai Society
Chai Society is an affiliate of Hazak, the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism's organization for mature adults. Hazak nationally has over 100 chapters with over 9000 members, Chai Society of Beth El Temple has won the highest Solomon Schechter Award for Hazak programming. Beth El members and their younger spouses automatically become members of Chai Society on their fifty-fifth birthday. There are no dues.
Since its first meeting on June 12, 2000, Chai Society has fulfilled its mission to provide opportunities for friendship, recreation, education and mutual assistance for its members. The monthly meetings are primarily held on Wednesdays at Noon beginning with lunch followed by a program. The programs are preceded by a lunch for which we charge members $10.00 and guests $12.00. We do not have dues and the charge to members just covers the costs for the luncheon.
The programs are geared to stimulate the interests of our members and have included speakers and panels on health and legal issues, history, opera, Israel, Jewish Music, the First Amendment, movies, Chanukah programs and annual summer suppers with Klezmer or other music and dancing, Chai Society's Hazak Shabbat annual Friday evening service held on or near Veteran's Day have honored Beth El Members who are serving or have served in the armed forces of the United States or its allies. We welcome Beth El Temple members of all ages to our programs.
The success of our Chai Society and the variety of its programs have been recognized by the appointment of its president, Rosalind Rachlin to the National Hazak Committee of The United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism which directs over one hundred Hazak Chapters like ours throughout the United States and Canada. The other officers are Judy Greenspoon, First Vice President, Sylvia Schindelman, Second Vice President, Marcia Slotnick, Secretary, Eleanor Janchill, Treasurer, Renee Holden, Corresponding Secretary, and Gloria Rulnick, Communications Committee Chair.