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COPYRIGHT 2005 South Florida Sun-Sentinal
Byline: Deborah S. Hartz
They call it Chavurah. In Hebrew that translates to "friends," but in practice, it's much more.
"Religion is a component because it's rooted in Judaism," Lisa Reingold says of the Chavurah. "But in essence, it's a family because we are all so intertwined."
She's speaking of six families in Florida who for 15 years have met once a month in each others' homes for Shabbat dinners, as well as to celebrate the second nights of Rosh Hashanah and Passover.
Over the years they have celebrated all phases of the life cycle from birth to death, including such smihas (joys) or "Chavurah events" as birthdays, bar mitzvahs, bat mitzvahs, baby namings, graduations and anniversaries.
"People change and religion changes, but we've all grown together," says member Joan Miller. "That's the secret of us staying together. Not to mention that everyone in the group has a good and loving heart."
Many in the group, including Jeff Gordon, describe the Chavurah as an extended family, although they aren't really related. "We are really just a group of families in a more intimate form than just coming together at a synagogue," he says.
The women think of each other as sisters; the children as cousins.
"I grew up celebrating the holidays with cousins, aunts and uncles," says Gayle Tolchin. "And I wanted that for my kids even though we don't have family in South Florida," she says of children Melanie, 21, and Matt, 16.
Many of the events and holidays, including Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish new year that begins Oct. 4, are celebrated at the Chavurah with prayers and a meal.
This Rosh Hashanah the members will...
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