Mission l Leadership l Contact Us l Benefactors l FAQS
After fielding hundreds of calls and emails, we realized many people are seeking the same information. So we put together this list of frequently asked questions and answers to help you out:
And if you still have questions, the just Ask GesherCity!
1. What is a Cluster?
A Cluster is a group of individuals, led by a volunteer Cluster coordinator (“CC”), which gives people the opportunity to meet other others with similar interests in a welcoming environment. Clusters help people who are new in town, or new to the Jewish community, interact in an intimate, informal atmosphere. Clusters are theme based - by geographic location, profession, hobby, interest, etc. – and are limited only by your creativity. Please limit the Clusters you join only to ones you will actively participate in.
2. Are There Leadership Opportunities For Me Within GesherCity Hartford?
YES! There are lots of different ways to get involved in GesherCity Hartford. If you are looking for a rewarding and fun way to meet new people, develop your leadership skills, and find your place in the young adult Jewish community, you can join the ranks of experienced leaders in GesherCity Hartford. If you would like to learn more about or become a part of GesherCity Hartford’s advisory board or become a cluster coordinator please contact Elana MacGilpin at 860-231-6327.
3. Do I have to do Jewish stuff?
Part of the GesherCity mission is to “bridge young adults to the Jewish community.” Keeping this in mind, you can plan your events around any concept you choose as long as it relates to your Cluster’s theme. You can always decide what level of Jewish content each event should have. If you would like to add more Jewish content to an event, but aren’t sure how, your JCC-GesherCity staff can be a great resource. Don’t be afraid to ask!
4. Will I get a date by joining GesherCity?
Although a vast majority of our members are single, GesherCity is not a "Singles" program and we always strive to ensure that our programs are comfortable for everyone, regardless of their personal interests. However, GesherCity does offer a wide variety of opportunities for all of its members to socialize with other Jewish young adults of both genders. A few members have met their significant others at programs or activities sponsored by GesherCity, but many more have formed long-lasting friendships with both men and women which span beyond GesherCity.
5. Is GesherCity competing with the other Jewish groups?
In no way do we want to compete with any other Jewish organization. In fact, our goal is to connect people to the Jewish community and other organizations by providing them with access to information and resources. We try to educate our members about the vast array of different organizations in the community and help each member find exactly what he/she is looking for.
6. Why lead a Cluster?
Meet New Friends, Personal Achievement, Skills Development, Network with other Young Adults, Get Involved in Something Worthwhile, Be a Part of an Organization Doing Great Things for Young Adults, Rewarding to Work with a Talented Group of Volunteers, Experience that Transfers to Professional Career, Give Back to Jewish Community, Build Connections to the Community, Resume Builder
7. Why do the different groups program events for the same day?
The Greater Hartford Jewish community is fortunate to have many organizations that offer people a large variety of ways to express their Judaism, whether through religious, cultural, or social events. Because there are so many organizations, two or more events are often scheduled for the same day; our mission is to connect people to as many resources as possible so therefore, we do not limit event postings to one a day.