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. Meetings are primarily held on Wednesdays at 12:00 p.m., beginning with lunch followed by a program. These monthly events are free, and the charge for lunch varies to cover the cost. Chai Society does not charge dues.

Programs are geared to stimulate the interests of our members and have included movies, and speakers and panels on health and legal issues, history, opera, Israel, Jewish Music, and the First Amendment. Annually we have a Chanukah program and summer suppers with Klezmer or other music and dancing. Our annual Veteran's Day Service and dinner, on a Friday night, has 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 members of all ages to our programs.

The Chai Society received the Gold Award for Programming from the United Synagogue for Conservative Judiasm for their Veteran's Day Program. 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.

For more information about Chair Society please contact the Beth El office at (860) 233-9696.