Artwork by Leon Skolnick - Chavurat Shalom Member

Chavurat Shalom is a welcoming community in Southwest Florida
committed to the study and celebration of our Jewish cultural heritage and religious traditions in order to enlighten and enrich our lives.

Many Chavurat Shalom members living in Southwest Florida - along with thousands of others - were seriously affected by Hurricane Ian. Some lost homes, automobiles, and belongings. Some are relocating to other parts of the country, perhaps to build new lives there. It has been very difficult, but thankfully we are all safe.
 
It is an added blessing that no matter where we are, we can keep in touch with each other via Zoom to rejoice in our precious fellowship. A R’fuah Sh’layma to all.

Artwork by Ellen Feingold - Chavurat Shalom Member

Chavurat Shalom (Fellowship of Peace) is an informal group from every Jewish religious tradition that meets to worship and learn together. We welcome people of all faiths from Sanibel, Fort Myers, other Southwest Florida locations, and from all over the country. We are not affiliated with any Jewish organized movement. Our group is community-led. Each person has an equal voice in it and may participate to whatever extent desired.

Presently we worship and meet via Zoom. When health and hurricane recovery conditions permit, we will plan in-person events.

---

Our current activities include:

• Weekly Shabbat Eve services on Fridays throughout the year on Fridays at 7:30 p.m. led by members, with readings, singing, and Torah reading and commentary - coordinated by Drs. Ellen Feingold and Kathy Zoss, with other volunteer participants
• Weekly Len Minsky Current Events discussions on Saturday mornings at 11:00 a.m. -  coordinated by Dr. Donald Bachman with other volunteer discussion leaders
• Classes and discussions led by Chavurat Shalom participants and outside experts on Thursdays at 11:00 a.m. - coordinated by Irene Skolnick
• Torah Talk, a new program beginning in November on the third Thursday of each month – coordinated by Drs. Ellen Feingold and Kathy Zoss, with open discussion led by volunteer participants
• A monthly “schmooze” session via Zoom on the second Tuesday of the month at 7:30 p.m.

 
The Thursday class and discussion schedule for November and December includes:

• November 3: Kay Sadhigi will speak about Tracking the Elusive Box Turtles of Sanibel
• November 10: Charles Sobczak will discuss The Great Florida Invasion: From Pepper to Pythons
• November 17: Drs. Ellen Feingold and Kathy Zoss will begin Torah Talk study sessions
• November 24: No program - Thanksgiving break
• December 1:  Howard Simon will discuss Florida Water Issues
• December 8: Dr. Matthew Tapie – The Challenge and Promise of Catholic-Jewish Relations Today
• December 15: Torah Talk
• December 22: Rabbi Danny Schiff will discuss The Meaning of Chanukkah

 
For further information about these Thursday events, visit the Programs and Events page of this website.

​As preparation for the 2022 High Holidays season, Chavurat Shalom member David Berger blew the shofar before every Shabbat service during the month of Elul. We also greeted the year 5783 with members Rabbi James and Marcia Rudin leading the annual Apples and Honey celebration at the conclusion of Rosh Hashanna and a virtual Break the Fast. Rabbi Rudin presented a program titled “Fate, Family, Fasting: Three Eternal Pillars of the High Holidays”. The Chavurah’s annual Memorial Service, led by president Cheryl Fulmer, took place via Zoom.
 
​We will also plan special events for International Holocaust Remembrance Day, Chanukah, Purim, and Passover.
 
Chavurat Shalom has embarked on a new project, Community Partnerships. Our first partner is the Florida Gulf Coast University Center for Holocaust and Genocide Studies.  An additional special project is the collection of donations from members by our Tzedakah committee.  Thanks to generous donations, last Spring the committee, following the theme of health and welfare of women and children, donated funds to Planned Parenthood of Southwest Florida, Association of Rape Crisis Centers in Israel, The Shelter for Abused Women and Children in Naples, FL, Cycle Forward in Lee County, and Quality of Life Center (Ft. Myers).  The committee also granted funds to the JOINT Distribution Committee, designated for Ukraine. ​Future grants will be made to local Hurricane Ian relief efforts.

---

Outstanding past Thursday lecture and discussion topics led by both Chavurat Shalom participants and prominent outside speakers include:
 
Kabbalah 
Spinoza
The Jews of China: Keifung, Harbin and Shanghai
The Other Peace Process: Interreligious Dialogue in Israel and Palestine in the Service of Peace
What Tisha B’Av Means to Us Today
A Rabbi’s Work with the Vatican
 IsraAID: Israeli Humanitarian Aid Around the World
 Kristallnacht was the "End of the Beginning" of German Nazi terror
​and "The Beginning of the End” for Jews in Europe
 The Journey to Preserve the History of Small-Town Jewish Communities
King Solomon and Why He Was Israel's Best King
Israel: A State of the Nation Report
Purim Explained
Across the Square: A Grandchild’s Quest to Find his Grandmother’s Holocaust Survival Story
​Water Quality in South Florida: Challenges and Opportunities
​Anti-Asian Discrimination and Attitudes in the United States
My Journey As a Convert to Judaism

For a complete listing of all past Chavurat Shalom Thursday programs, CLICK HERE
​

For more details about our group or upcoming events, or to join us for any or all of these events,
contact us at chavuratshalom@gmail.com or write to
 20031 Sanibel View Circle, Unit 202, Ft. Myers, FL 33908.
(Temporary address due to Hurricane Ian)

Chavurat Shalom is a 501(c) 3 non-profit tax-exempt organization. Your tax-deductible contributions to Chavurat Shalom may be directed to the Tzedakah Fund,  Speaker’s Fund, or General Fund. Please make your contributions payable to Chavurat Shalom of Southwest Florida and mail to:
​
Chavurat Shalom of Southwest Florida
20031 Sanibel View Circle
Unit 202
Fort Myers, FL 33908
​(Temporary address due to Hurricane Ian)
or check this website

Rosh Hashanah: A Time for Reflection
A poem by Chavurat Shalom member Myra Klahr

Fall equinox
A balance of
Light and darkness
 
Tectonic plates
Always shifting
Beneath us
Create mountains
 
We choose
Mountains of sadness
Of anger
Or of joy
 
This Rosh Hashanah
Take the time to
Feel the warmth
Of the sun
 
Look up at
The night sky
The stars and moon
That light the
Darkness
 
On these holy days
Of awe
And on each Shabbat
We reflect on
 
How to ignite
The light
 
In our world
And in our hearts
As we create
Our journey
Through
Life

Bylaws

OFFICERS

President: Cheryl Fulmer
First Vice - President: Ellen Feingold
Second Vice - President: Kathy Zoss
Secretary: Irene Skolnick
Treasurer: Barry Roth

NON-OFFICER BOARD MEMBERS

Don Bachman
Esta Berger
Evelyn Clark
Marcia Rudin

Contact our officers or non-officer board members using the email link below.

COMMITTEES

Public Relations & Website
Shabbat Service Coordination
Speaker Series
Special Events
Fundraising
​Tzedakah
Membership

To join a committee please email us below