Community Service(s)

By Emma Dixon

According to the recent Central Florida Jewish Community Study, our area is home to a surprisingly high percentage of Jewish families that are unaffiliated. In fact, it’s one of the highest percentages in America. For those families, it can be especially hard to embrace Jewish holidays and traditions that are typically celebrated at synagogue.

Engaging those unaffiliated families is the mission of WOW Chavurah, a new group of like-minded members of the Jewish community located in and around Winter Garden. It began in July 2023 under the stewardship of Adam Cohn and Randa Marder who saw a need for a more structured Jewish community in an area lacking synagogues or formal services. The group grew in numbers, and Adam quickly realized there was an opportunity for the Chavurah to do more, particularly around the High Holidays.

The next piece of the puzzle is The Pargh Foundation. Since moving to Orlando in 2017, philanthropist Andy Pargh’s focus has been to utilize his Foundation to enhance Jewish life in Central Florida with an emphasis on outreach programs.

Ofira Bondorowsky (left) and Adam Cohn (right) with Hayli Westhelle of Arthur’s Catering, which will provide the Rosh Hashanah dinner on October 2.

“Having a new, convenient, and affordable option for High Holiday services seems to be a good first step,” says Andy. “It’s a great way to reach out, so more individuals and families in our area feel they are involved and have a Jewish community connection.”

Thanks to Adam and Andy, the idea began to pick up steam. Only one question remained: Where can you host unique High Holiday services like these?

Enter Ofira Bondorowsky, CEO of The Rosen JCC in South Orlando. The three are working together to host two meaningful – and remarkably affordable – High Holidays services at The Rosen JCC. First is a short, family-friendly Erev Rosh Hashanah service at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, October 2, followed by a traditional Rosh Hashanah dinner. The cost is only $10 to attend, though RSVPs are required at RosenJCC.org/highholidays.

Then, on Saturday, October 12, at 10:30 a.m., the community will be welcomed back for a short Yom Kippur service and Yizkor.

The Yom Kippur event is completely free to attend, but like the Rosh Hashanah service, seats are very limited and RSVPs are required.

For Adam, the drive to unite the local Jewish community with these unique services is poignantly personal. When he first moved to Orlando, he felt left in limbo for the holidays.

“I arrived in October, so I didn’t really have a place to go for the High Holidays or time to establish myself in the community,” he says. “As I called around to the local synagogues, not one offered to let me and my family come for the holidays. I would get a membership package, a dues schedule, and could get High Holiday tickets once I joined and made a commitment to the temple.”

Adam is quick to note that he understands the reasons for this.

“Synagogues face a lot of financial pressure,” he says, “so this idea is a product of my own experience. My vision is just to welcome people and bring them into the room for a short service, music, sound the shofar, enjoy a wonderful Rosh Hashanah dinner, and include a memorial service. It’s community support and Jewish connection at a time of the year when, according to our tradition, a connection with the Almighty is most available.”

“When I first met Adam, I wanted to learn more about the Chavurah and better understand the unmet needs of Jews in our community,” says Ofira. “I asked him, ‘What can I do to create a space for Jews who aren’t involved with any Jewish nonprofit, synagogue, or other organization?’ I quickly realized that Adam understood the obstacles we must overcome to bring people together and that the community center can – and should – be a hub for all Jews.”

Andy sees a bright future for WOW Chavurah and, especially, for local Jewish families who have not yet found an affiliated home.

“I am beyond thrilled that this is happening,” says Andy, “and that there are such capable hands to guide it, creating something special for the holidays!”

The Rosh Hashanah dinner on October 2 at The Rosen JCC will be a wonderful opportunity for unaffiliated Jewish families to gather and celebrate, and the cost to attend is only $10. Seating is very limited, so please RSVP now at RosenJCC.org/highholidays.

This story was originally published in print in Fall 2024.