“It is surprising how everything seems to go so smoothly.” So Mort Swerdlow, participant and advisory board member, describes the events organized by Koach — a social, educational and cultural program for adults that recently held its 15th event at Congregation Shalom, about one year since its inception.
In fact, the program “far exceeds all of our expectations,” according to Diane Sobel, adult services and Koach coordinator at the Harry & Rose Samson Family Jewish Community Center, which co-sponsors the program with six area synagogues.
“It’s just so unbelievable the way the community has responded,” she said. “All the synagogues, the JCC, the advisory board, myself — all of us are just thrilled. It is a vision that has become a reality. I would absolutely say we are going strong.”
Koach in Hebrew means “strength.” Pun intended or not, Sobel’s assessment appears to be apt because Koach events are also notable for the large numbers of participants they attract; on average about 200 people per event.
The reasons for Koach’s success, however, are not so surprising.
“Retirement age is getting younger [and] people are living longer,” said Sobel. “They are looking to fulfill their lives in greater ways. This is a hot group [to tap into], especially as life spans grow.”
“I think it is great,” said Hilda Williams, a board member of Koach who helps plan some of the events. “It is something that is needed in the community. You can tell by the amount of people that come to events. Most of the time Diane has to close off the reservations because they have reached capacity.”
Koach events are held on a rotating basis at the co-sponsoring synagogues: Beth El Ner Tamid Synagogue; Congregations Beth Israel, Emanu-El B’ne Jeshurun, Shalom, and Sinai; and Temple Menorah. Meetings consist of a kosher lunch and a program. Cost is $5 and transportation is provided for those who need it.
Themes of events vary, but thus far programs have included concerts of Jewish music, political presentations, health talks and discussions about Jewish life today. The next program, scheduled for July 25, features the Milwaukee Jewish Community Chorale.
The advisory board for Koach comprises 30 people, all members of a participating synagogue. This board “in and of itself is a program because those board meetings take between two and three hours,” said Sobel. “They really have ownership over Koach, it is really their program.”
Koach is more than just a social program, according to some participants. It is even a bridge builder between Jews of various levels of observance.
“I think Koach has the potential to bring semi-Orthodox, Conservative and Reform Jews together,” said Swerdlow, who participates with his wife Estelle. Koach programs enable “people to get to know each other better and to know what each other’s religious leanings are and be able to cooperate and get along.”
Sobel said that in addition, “rabbis and cantors from other synagogues go to each other’s synagogue … and the staffs of the synagogues in the community are sharing. It is a union. It is a real statement and it is really exciting.”
Sobel and other Koach board members have hinted that Koach may expand its programs to include weekend retreats or travel. But regardless of what types of future programs are held, they will always have a Jewish focus.
Retired adults “have many choices [regarding their free time],” said Sobel. “I have to be on my toes, we want to be on the cutting edge and so we have to be out there … to provide these adults with stimulating programs.”
For more information on future events, call 414-967-8258.
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