At the Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle, when we refer to Jewish Engagement, we mean experiences that create, deepen and sustain people-to-people connections, providing opportunities for couples and families to celebrate Jewish traditions together and experience the joy of lifelong connections to Jewish community.
Earlier this year, Seattle was one of several cities selected by Togethering, an immersive four-day travel experience for seventeen couples looking to build Jewish community.
Funded by the One8 Foundation and implemented in partnership with the Jewish Federations of North America, Togethering is a new endeavor designed to support young, modern mixed-heritage couples as they explore how Jewish values, traditions, and culture can bring something meaningful to the lives they build together – on their own terms and in their own time.
Rabbi Samuel Klein, Federation’s Director of Jewish Engagement, served as co-facilitator on the trip to Santa Fe, New Mexico.
“Sometimes, it’s as simple as baking delicious challah together, sharing stories, or celebrating Shabbat with new friends,” he reflected. “Other times, it’s about creating big, transformative experiences, like an extended weekend getaway. This is especially important for mixed-heritage couples. Our hope was that the couples would return to Seattle with a ready-made micro-community of new friendships and connections with whom they could explore Jewish traditions and values.”
At the Federation, we maintain that the work of deepening relationships is a vital part of building a thriving community. Since 2019, Federation has offered mixed-heritage couples a welcoming Jewish space in Seattle for self-discovery and rejuvenation through Reset & Refresh, a three-month learning adventure crafted around the practice of Shabbat to provide couples with an entry into and compass for exploring the multiple ways to “do Jewish.”
As part of the Seattle Togethering experience, couples had the opportunity to participate in Reset & Refresh when they returned to Seattle. One of the participants, McKenzie Schneider, shared that Rest and Refresh was a wonderful opportunity to reinforce the connections formed on the trip: “Reset & Refresh was an enriching educational experience that fostered a sense of community intertwined with Jewish values. I will cherish this experience for many years to come and feel very lucky to have been part of it.”
Rabbi Klein, who also led the Reset & Refresh program reflects: “On the flight back to Seattle after several uplifting days with Togethering in Santa Fe, I was reading a collection of essays commemorating the thought and life of Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks, one of the most eloquent and influential religious leaders of our generation. One concept that figured prominently in his work was joy. Judaism doesn’t have to be complicated. ‘Be joyful, feel joyful about Jewish life’. This was his motto. Togethering is an inherently joyous Jewish experience. And for the couples who returned to Seattle having formed connections with their peers on a similar journey, one to be savored.”
