A Community for Gathering

The Besters Continue to Drive Social Connection

By Jeanne Fleming, Chair, The Besters

I like to think of myself as a gatherer. Some gather stamps, others stories. I’m a gatherer of people and the experiences we share. These days, when connecting in person isn’t always easy, community becomes especially meaningful. That’s what WHC Besters is all about, and helping make it happen brings me great joy.

Our guiding idea is simple: make the congregation community feel like a social scene. Many of us are at life stages where opportunities to meet new people aren’t as plentiful. Our kids may be grown, work may be winding down, and social circles shift as friends move away.

That’s why our focus is primarily social. WHC already offers wonderful opportunities for worship, volunteering, and charitable work, and we don’t aim to duplicate those efforts. Instead, our goal is to create fun, engaging programs that give people another reason to walk through the Temple doors — or elsewhere in the community — and leave feeling more connected.

And we have a lot of fun doing it! Some of our most popular gatherings are large dinners that fill the room with laughter and conversation, creating memories that last long after the meal ends. A longtime favorite has been dining at Pines of Rome, an Italian restaurant I’ve loved since the 1960s. Smaller Havdalah dinners, hosted in members’ homes, will return this year, offering an intimate setting for meeting new people and catching up with old friends.

Looking ahead, many of these traditions will continue. Right now, we’re planning more Quincy’s Burger & Bingo Nights, winery outings, and trips to theater productions at the JCC — just to name a few!
Of course, exciting new programs are on the horizon. We’re introducing a Jewish film series at Temple with discussions over coffee and bagels. A Yiddish-themed program, inspired by one we held years ago, will feature conversations about language, culture, and history. We’re also planning a special musical event with local crooner Daniel Murray, so start dusting off your dancing shoes!

Whether an event is large or small, the goal of WHC Besters is always the same: to bring people together and create moments worth sharing. None of it would be possible without our dedicated Bester Board steering committee, which works hard behind the scenes to plan the events, organize the details, and keep the ideas coming.

It’s truly a team effort, and working together to build these programs is part of the joy. We hope to see you soon and welcome you into the circle.