FEBRUARY 3 • 2022 | 17

The current trend of decluttering 
and keeping only what fills you with 
joy also gives the group momentum, 
she says. “I think it’s filling people’s 
hearts; it’s filling their buckets to know 
their stuff is being used.”
Karen Gordon of Farmington Hills 
started Jewish Moms of Metro Detroit 
with Older Kids, a private Facebook 
group, a year and a half ago. Her kids 
are in college, so she got the group, 
now 450 members strong, going to 
give moms a place to discuss issues 
relevant to older kids. 
The group has 
tackled everything from 
COVID boosters for the 
12-15-year-old set to how 
to help middle and high 
school kids deal with 
being virtual, to where to 
find a good coin dealer. 
People have asked about 
ACT tutors, new houses, 
piano teachers and more. 
Being in the group 
expands women’s circles, 
she says, so instead of just 
getting information from 
people they know, they 
get more perspectives. 
“This is just an amazing 
way to virtually meet 
people and feel connected 
in the community,” she 
says. “It’s just been a great 
place to turn to for knowledge, for 
information.”
Though the Jewish community has 
spread out, it’s still heimish (homey), 
she explains, which in many ways is 
illustrated by the women’s groups 
that have sprung up and the robust 
participation by their members. “It’s 
that tight-knit, looking out for each 
other,” she says. “We’ve got each 
other’s backs.”
Likewise, the Facebook group 
Jewish Working Women’s Network 
offers women of all ages the 
opportunity to take part in “Plug Your 
Business Tuesday,” which happens 
once a month, and “refHER,” a 
monthly second-Wednesday event 

where women encourage each 
other’s endeavors. 
“Whether they own their own 
business or they’re working for 
somebody, we just want to say, ‘this 
person is great,’” says Marianne 
Bloomberg, administrator for the 
1,700-member Facebook group. “I 
think people are really appreciative of 
some positive feedback.”
Sponsored by Women’s 
Philanthropy of the Jewish Federation 
of Metro Detroit, the group brings 
women together as part of 
a network where they can 
find jobs and clients and 
connect for referrals and 
encouragement.
The group also offers 
in-person networking 
events three times a year, 
where women in the group 
and in Federation’s orbit 
meet for coffee or soft 
drinks to share business 
cards, mingle and chat. 
“Ultimately, we want 
people to be involved in 
the work of the Federation. 
We want to cultivate 
and engage and inform 
people,” Bloomberg says. 
“We’re here for you and 
want to help you … and to 
ultimately educate you on 
the community and what’s 
going on.”
As for the women-only aspect, 
Jewish Moms of Metro Detroit’s Cox 
says she and her fellow administrators 
have discussed the topic several 
times, but felt it important to create 
a safe place for women to talk freely 
about anything and everything. Free 
Exchange’s Cohen agrees, pointing 
out that having it women-focused 
generates a different environment 
overall. 
“I think there’s just an openness 
that’s different when you’re dealing 
with all women,” she says. “And 
something with our Jewish community 
— I think it’s nice we give to each 
other and we support each other.” 

Karen Gordon

Marianne Bloomberg

continued from page 15

in the Metro Detroit area since 
2016,” says Marisa Meyerson, 
director of operations at The 
Well, an organization that aims to 
build an inclusive community for 
young Jewish adults. “Over the 
years, we’ve supported 12 different 
groups reaching over 75 women.”
The Well’s Rosh Chodesh cir-
cles are a part of a larger Shared 
Interest Group network where 
young Jewish individuals partici-
pate in Jewish life through mean-
ingful activities. These include 
Shabbat dinner groups, game 
groups and more.
“The Well’s Rosh Chodesh 
circles have very simple guide-
lines for their monthly meetings,” 
Meyerson explains. “The ways 
that each group executes their 
activities and discussions is up to 
them and is unique to each group 
and its members. Activities range 
from text study to meditation, to 
arts and crafts, to yoga, to baking 
and anything else in between.”
At Adat Shalom Synagogue, on 
the other hand, a Rosh Chodesh 
Society offers a study session 
every other month for Jewish 
women. “To welcome the new 
month, women in the commu-
nity are invited to a discussion 
designed to provide education, 
intellectual growth and a spiri-
tual lens to change and elevate 
our perspective on our lives,” 
says Rochelle Lieberman, Adat 
Shalom’s Rosh Chodesh study ses-
sion chairperson.
Similarly, The Shul’s Rosh 
Chodesh Society provides differ-
ent activities for Jewish women. 
These include a women’s round-
table meeting (with sessions on 
Torah portions, ethics and more), 
book clubs, retreats and conversa-
tions with Jewish leaders. 
To learn more about local 
Rosh Chodesh Societies, visit 
meetyouatthewell.org, adatsha-
lom.org or theshul.net. 

