This article appeared in the June 12, 2003 Jewish Advocate.

Sunny social opportunities for warmer days and nights

By Susie Davidson

CORRESPONDENT

We’ve waited a long, long time for summer, and every demographic group should be taking full advantage of each opportunity to celebrate warm nights and sunny days, appreciated now more than ever. For Jewish singles, socializers, friend-seekers and just plain funlovers, options abound this summer, thanks to hardworking organizers and active groups.

Jeff Popkin’s The J Connection, known for local mixers and club events, has branched out into the travel circuit in a big, and innovative way. Popkin, who had previously organized one annual trip for each of the four years the group has been in existence, saw membership numbers grow to 4000 and accordingly, he now offers five to six three to four day getaways per year. “It seems the more trips we offer, the quicker they fill up,” he said. “I feel people are realizing that they can't beat the value and intimate environment that the J connection packages together.”

The value is certainly a selling point, even without the opportunities for camaraderie. TJC’s Mohegan Sun day trip this past Sunday included breakfast, transportation, $10 betting money, movies and a return wine and cheese party, all for $39. Next Thursday, a group discount is offered for Stomp!, and three Berkshires weekends and other getaways in the works will include everything, even meals and wine.

TJC is divided into two groups, 20s and 30s, and the rapidly growing 35+, which Popkin says attracts late 30s, 40s and 50s. Contests and other fun add-ons are always on the roster; Popkin’s imaginative and ever-expanding agenda also includes employment opportunities. It seems to be a hit formula.

“These trips really break down the social barrier and put people at ease, whether you go alone or with a group,” said Nicole S. “TJC makes you feel a part of something special..”

“TJC is the best thing since chopped liver,” added Scott Marder of Brookline. “I find their events and trips attract the best quality and coolest crowd, compared to the other Jewish social options out there.”

“Over the last four years, TJC has grown at approximately 30 percent per year,” said Popkin. People refer their sons, daughters and family members to their social functions, he explained, proudly noting that countless relationships, many weddings and children have resulted from the congenial atmosphere, which is no longer merely local. “As we grow, we see more and more people traveling from all over New England to attend our events and trips,” he said.

“I've been on many TJC trips,” said Dianna Jenny Cohen of Allston, who just attended their Nantucket outing. “I met some really great people and would recommend them to anyone looking to meet new friends or party with old ones.”

“TJC was started by a small group of friends looking to meet other Jews in a purely social atmosphere, and has grown to levels we only imagined,” said Popkin. “In a slow economy, it is encouraging for both groups to expand and have jobs available for event organizers/marketers.”

Upcoming TJC events include a Wine Tasting at the Newton JCC on June 12 at 7 p.m., an evening at Stomp! on June 19 and three Berkshire Weekends, to be held June 27-29, July 11-13 (20s and 30s), and Sept. 5-7 (35+).

For more information please visit www.tjcboston.com, or call 781-444-7771.

Felice Cohen of the Jewish Federation of the North Shore’s Jewish Singles Connection is another industrious dynamo who produces a slate of not only events and trips, but also workshops, athletic events, monthly religious services, a summer Havdallah dinner party and more. She often collaborates with other groups as well to keep the happenings popular and interesting. Like Popkin, her mission is a mitzvah.

“The NSJSC is committed to creating a venue for Jewish singles to meet one another, develop a community and foster friendships through social, educational, cultural and spiritual activities,” she said. The group is funded by the Robert I. Lappin Foundation, and aims “to help keep our children Jewish.”

Unique to the NSJSC is their “2 Degrees of Introduction” service, available at all their programs and events, where personnel will break the ice for attendees seeking friendships, networking opportunities or dates. Their calendar, available at www.jewishsinglesconnection.org, contains a comprehensive listing of trips, retreats, and events sponsored by other groups, as well as the NSJSC’s own co-ed volleyball and softball series, cocktail networking parties, Shabbat schmoozes, discussion events with professional speakers, and other events. Clearly, Cohen cares not how people meet, as long as they do meet, and works hard to help them have fun along each step of the way.

Lastly, the Mosaic Outdoor Mountain Club of Massachusetts is active in every sense. The group, which celebrates its “Bat Mitzvah” year in 2003, will hold its annual picnic, featuring a Kosher barbeque and many activities, on a lakeside reservation in Westwood on Sunday, June 29. A camping and canoeing trip is scheduled for the July 4 weekend on the Battenkill River in Vermont, and two tennis series are held weekly on Sundays and Wednesdays in Newton. Check www.mosaics.org/boston for information on these and other listings.