Join a Cluster!

AGE-BASED 25 and Under Have you recently graduated college and are looking to meet others in the same situation? If so, this group is for you! This cluster is for Jewish young adults (aged 25 and younger) that have just graduated and are entering the "real world" for the first time. We'll try different Boston area restaurants, trivia nights, and enjoy drinks at happy hours to relieve us from the stress of our new 9-5 jobs. I would love to hear any ideas and/or suggestions you may have for events! Feel free to e-mail me anytime & I hope to see you at a future event! I'm looking into planning fun events such as kayaking, softball games, and hiking, too!
35-40 "Are you age 35-40 and looking to meet new people in a fun, relaxed and social atmosphere? Connect to the Jewish Community? This Cluster is for you! We will enjoy coffee, restaurants, dancing, movies, theater, museums, and sports, as well as seeking out opportunities to connect to the wider Jewish community."
Late 20's and 30's "Are you in your late 20’s or 30’s and looking to meet new people in a fun, relaxed and social atmosphere? Do you ever want to do things around town and just don’t have anyone to do them with? Do you like movies, theater, museums, sports, restaurants, coffee, etc.? If the answer is "yes", then this cluster is for you! This cluster has been a success. There are over 200 members in this cluster. So… Why wait?… Just register and you can enjoy the company of many wonderful, intelligent, funny and definitely friendly people."
GENERAL INTEREST Alternative/Independent Arts "Films at the MFA, Brattle, Kendall. Theater at ART and URT. Puppetry, poetry, performance art. Experimental music, local bands, bands with accordions, world music. Alternative comedy. Events in the immediate Boston area and perhaps further out in Massachusetts and the rest of New England. Interested in art with a point, however obscure that point is? Come on board!"
Books & Brunch "Every month or two, spend a Sunday morning discussing books over brunch. We choose books together, sometimes with Jewish themes or authors, but often not."
Crafts "Are you looking for a creative outlet? How about some company for your craft projects? Do you want to learn some new techniques for an existing hobby? Or make a birthday present for that special someone? If so, then this is the cluster for you! We'll explore a variety of crafts, including soap making, knitting, paint your own pottery, picture frame decorating, jewelry making, and more. All skill levels are welcome, so what are you waiting for? Get your creative juices flowing and sign up today"
Foodies Are you a twenty-something who is a self-described "foodie"? Do you go out of your way to find interesting food experiences? Curious who has the best chocolate cupcake in Boston? Want to know how to make a homemade cheese blintz? Our cluster is for passionate food lovers who want to share unique dining and food experiences with others like them. We will provide fun, casual, and unique events. We will visit cuisines of the world or a kosher restaurant in Brookline, try tempting tastings, take culinary walks/tours, rotate gourmet potlucks, share recipes, pass along food recommendations, discuss food writing, learn in a cooking class, and more!
Gluten-Free Are you one of the million Americans who has Celiac disease or a gluten intolerance? Do you dream of going out to a restaurant and being with people just like you? This cluster will enable you to lunch, brunch and dine with others that understand the challenges. We will explore gluten-free cuisine and socialize. If you have had challenges cooking, eating and being merry this is the group for you! This cluster is open to everyone: those who are living gluten free as well as their friends, significant others, and spouses. Coordinators: Phyllis Kaplan and Jordana Boloker
International "Do you enjoy sampling international cuisine, viewing foreign films, or learning about international issues? If so, this is the cluster for you!"
Israel Does the rudeness of Israeli cab drivers upset you? Do you like to eat falafel? Do you use words like "sababa" and "achlah" in daily conversation? If you answered yes to any of these questions, or are simply intrigued by them, this cluster is for you! Whether you’ve been to Israel several times and want to meet others with whom you can reminisce, or if you’ve never been and just want to have some fun doing Israeli things around Boston with others who share your interest, this cluster will offer something for everyone. Watching Israeli movies, cooking Israeli dinners, learning some Hebrew, and going to Israeli concerts in the area are just a few things we’ll do in this cluster.
Outdoor "This cluster will include activities from day ski trips and rock climbing in the winter, to hiking and canoeing in the spring and fall, and much more. We will explore different areas and activities in the Boston area and sometimes venture into other parts of New England. No experience is necessary for our trips, and all levels are welcome. "
Salon: Conversations "SALON: A BOOK CLUB WITHOUT THE BOOKS" Looking for meaningful conversations in a Jew“ish” atmosphere that challenges your mind? Ever wish that Buddha, Heschel, and Jon Stewart were in the same room? Meet other Jewish young adults in Boston (ages 21-35) and be a part of a conversation movement called “SALONS” that is happening in cities across North America.
Vegetarians and Vegans "Choosing to not eat animals (and sometimes all animal products) is, for many people, a philosophy of life. This cluster is for people who want to hang out with others who share this philosophy, without having to sit next to the person who ordered the big bloody steak... We'll share thoughts, ideas, concerns, and just a meat free good time :) Events will include potlucks at members' homes, picnics, and scoping out vegetarian restaurants around town. Look forward to seeing you at an event soon!"
NEIGHBORHOOD CLUSTERS Brookline "Do you live or work in Brookline? Would you like to meet some warm, friendly Brookliners and make new friendships? If so, this cluster is right for you! We'll try different ethnic cuisines in area restaurants, have game nights, take walks along the reservoir in Cleveland Circle, attend plays and lectures, volunteer at the Boston Food Bank, discuss good books, have Shabbat dinners, watch movies at the Coolidge Corner Theater, and go out for ice cream together. I would love to hear your ideas for what types of events you'd like to see, too! Hope to see you at an event soon."
Cambridge/Somerville "For people who live in, work in, or just like being in Cambridge/Somerville: Join our cluster if you'd like to meet new friends and hang out with old ones! Eat some good food, be active and play outside, discuss, watch a great movie, mingle, laugh, and enjoy all that Cambridge/Somerville has to offer! This cluster has two new coordinators and we promise not to be cliquey or boring. E-mail with questions or suggestions for events. See you at an event soon!"
MetroWest 30-somethings "Looking to meet other young Jewish suburbanites in MetroWest? Looking to share commuter rail woes with others? Want to go to that new fondue place on Route 9? Look no further! Together we'll explore all that this area has to offer -- from hiking in Callahan State Park to visiting different synagogues in Natick, Framingham, Sudbury (to name a few), to meeting at local eateries. Everyone is welcomed in this cluster - singles, couples, almost-30-somethings. Hope to see you at an event soon!"
South End/Back Bay The South End/Back Bay cluster will be a great way to spend time with friends you already have in the area and meet new ones so that the city can feel even smaller. We'll hit up the usual haunts (Clery's, Masa, Vox, wherever else you like) and mix it up with some fun service days and get-togethers at members' places. Come to us with ideas - we're open to anything!
SOCIAL JUSTICE Anti-Trafficking "The anti-trafficking cluster is dedicated to raising awareness about and taking action to stop sex trafficking in Israel. In collaboration with Israeli anti-trafficking organizations, we are organizing members of the local Jewish community to pressure the Israeli government to recognize and take effective action against pervasive sex trafficking."
Children/ Tutoring "Do you love children? Spend time reading and engaging in fun activities with elementary school children in a local shelter serving homeless families. Time commitment of members will be a few hours either weekly or bi-weekly. Also, if there is interest on the part of cluster members, we will hold monthly events to get to know one another, discuss experiences, learn about issues facing families in crisis, and to plan any special activities we want to do with the children as a group."
Community Service "Entertain Bubbe, help feed the homeless or paint with the little ones.This cluster looks for ways to get involved in the community and make a difference using one-shot service events. So be a mentsh and sign up!"
Environmental Interested in environmental issues? Concerned about global warming? This cluster will work on advocacy and educational projects as well as hands-on activities (river clean ups and the like) to help solve environmental problems. We are currently running a Greening Massachusetts Synagogues campaign. We are affiliated with the Coalition on the Environment and Jewish Life (www.coejl.org).
Get out the Vote - Election '08 Have you caught the election bug? Do you want to part of a team of Jews who CHOOSE to get active on the 2008 election? This cluster will make it happen: voter registration, talking about and exposing the nitty gritty issues, attending election-related events, and empowering our community to have a voice in this fall’s election. We’ll be a non-partisan group, which means we won’t endorse a candidate, but we WILL make sure everyone has a voice. Sign up for this cluster, put on your Uncle Sam hat and gear up to make democracy happen!
Healthcare "Are you paying too much for health insurance? Are you or someone you know not insured? Are you curious about healthcare options in Massachusetts? If you answered yes to any of these questions, or if you have questions of your own, this is the cluster for you! On July 1, 2007 the law requiring all residents of Massachusetts to have health insurance took effect. Failure to comply with the mandate of the law will result in a financial penalty, so now is the time to spread the word. We're currently putting together an event that will provide information on eligibility and enrollment options. There are also plans to screen a relevant movie. Additionally, we're hoping to provide opportunities for outreach and advocacy on this issue. If this sounds interesting to you, please sign up and we'll be in touch! "
Prison Reform Ever wonder what its like in prison? Ever wonder if our prisoners are being treated fairly? Want to learn how you can volunteer to teach prisoners necessary skills for rehabilitation? The GesherCity Prison Action Cluster works to promote volunteering and knowledge around incarceration issues, both inside and out of prisons. You'll have the opportunity to meet with like minded individuals and volunteer within prison walls.

Clusters

The Community Service Cluster poses quite formally at their first event, January 2007

Clusters: Jewish social events based on interest, age, or location

Have you ever moved to a new city or town and not known where the best place for pizza is? Have you ever wanted to go to a Shabbat dinner but didn't know where to go, or have anyone to go with? These are just some of the reasons GesherCity started Clusters.

A Cluster is a volunteer-led group based around a common interest, age group, or area of town. If you don't see one you like, you can suggest an idea for your own Cluster!

*****************************************************************

Be a Cluster Coordinator!

If you are interested in becoming a cluster coordinator, please click below and fill out the required fields. Someone will follow up with you shortly!

I'm interested in starting a cluster!

*****************************************************************

Brand New to Boston?

If you're new to the city or just new to GesherCity, you can meet with one of our friendly Info & Outreach committee members to learn more about Jewish Boston!

Click here to learn more about our Welcome Program

AGE-BASED

GENERAL INTEREST

NEIGHBORHOOD CLUSTERS

SOCIAL JUSTICE

Clusters: Jewish social events based on interest, age, or location