Photo credit: vecteezy.com
By Lori Kleiner Eckert
Israelite Columnist
Recently, I had the experience of chatting with a person of a different Jewish denomination from mine. We clashed a smidge over the fact that I send text messages on Shabbat and she does not. After I failed the text test, I got to thinking that if two different Jewish denominations in Cincinnati, Ohio can so easily look at each other as different — and perhaps unequal — what chance is there for Jewish acceptance worldwide?
A few weeks after this conversation, I attended a Lunch and Learn event put on by Lisa and Seth Cook of the Cincinnati Jewish Experience, CJX. While there, I learned about a new initiative Lisa is spearheading. Shockingly, it perfectly addresses this issue and provides a first step in resolving it.
The new program is called The Chai Conversation Project (TCCP), and its stated goal is to build Jewish unity one conversation at a time.
Lisa tells us, “We are going to bring adults together from across the Jewish community for short, 30-minute conversations over coffee, tea, or a walk. That’s it — just two people, one conversation, and a small step toward greater understanding and unity.”
The program is intended for every age group. Students, people who are actively parenting (babies, toddlers, and teens), folks who are looking at retirement or who are long retired — all are encouraged to participate.
For the younger adults who are BUSY and pulled in too many directions already, this program has no ongoing obligation past the initial conversation. Those in a slower phase of life, however, just might find a new friend, which would be a blessing in this era of social isolation and loneliness.
It should also be noted that this is for every Jewish denomination from the common “brands” of Reform, Conservative and Orthodox to the Bagel & Lox segment, Jews by Choice, Jews who don’t like labels and all the rest.
Here is how TCCP works: People interested in participating will fill out a brief form online. Taking this information, the folks at TCCP will match people up. They will look for people in a similar stage of life and for people whose availability align.
It bears repeating that such a conversation has the potential to spark a lifelong friendship, but it does not have to. TJJP is intended to be easy and low-commitment. A one-time, 30-minute talk is enough. As I would say in a light-hearted Reform Jewish way, “Dayenu!” Or as Lisa would say, “Just showing up for a friendly conversation with a fellow Jew is a huge Kiddush Hashem, an act of kindness and respect that honors our shared Jewish values.”
The Chai Conversation Project tries to make things as easy as possible. They even suggest possible venues for these talks. For an outdoor meeting, Summit Park or French Park could be convenient. Indoors, one might consider the Orange Spot Bistro or J Café.
For those who are afraid they won’t know what to talk about with a stranger (potential new friend?), there is no need to worry. A handout sheet exists with conversation prompts. Here are a handful of them now:
– Where did you grow up, and what brought you to Cincinnati?
– What do you like to do when you are not working? Any hobbies or passions?
– What’s something small that made you smile this week?
– What does a typical weekend look like for you?
What’s a tradition — Jewish or not — that you love?
Such topics are clearly non-threatening. And if TCCP partners play conversational ping pong — each asking the question of the other — 30 minutes will go by in the blink of an eye.
Bottom line, we’ve all experienced anti-Semitism in the broader community and most likely interdenominational disrespect as well. While anti-Semitism threatens our very existence, the grumbling between denominations enhances that threat. Meanwhile, The Chai Conversation Project gives Jews of every denomination the opportunity to exist through co-existence.
I can’t help but think how aptly this project is named. In Hebrew the word “chai” means life and this initiative can breathe life into Cincinnati Jewish relations and foster unity.
More good news, this program is free and it is not tied to a particular congregation or movement.
If you are up for some bridge-building within the Cincinnati Jewish community go to Chai Conversation Project’s website.
