Small Groups Asking Big Questions

RSNS is creating small peer-led groups to deepen connections and discover new perspectives about ourselves, each other and the world. 

Registration is open! Please click here to register for one of the small groups.
 
What’s a Small Group? Small Groups are focused, peer-led groups, in which participants come together around a shared interest on a regular basis with the understanding that Jewish tradition and deep personal relationships add meaning to our lives.  Each Small Group will include 8-12 RSNS members and meet 4 times over the spring/summer months. 
 
How does Registration Work? All registration must be done through this link. Please sign up for one interest group only at this time to allow for maximum participation. Please note that each person needs to register individually, so if you are planning to participate as a couple, sign up for two spots. If the small group you're interested in fills up, we will try to form a second group.
 
Big Questions!  All groups will grapple with four questions. 
Where do you feel at home?
What will your legacy be?
Who is in your community?
How do you recharge?

 
WALKING & TALKING
Join this group as we start our walk with a BIG QUESTION and then take a journey throughout the Port Washington/Manhasset neighborhoods contemplating with and connecting to others in our walking group.
 
4 Summer Wednesdays at 5:00PM
June 14, June 28, July 12, July 26

Meet at the home of Rabbi Jodie
54 Murray Avenue, Port Washington

JEWISH FEMINIST WRITERS: A BRIEF EXPLORATION

This group will explore samples of the works of several influential Jewish feminist writers, including Letty Cottin Pogrebin and Nora Ephron, all through the lens of the Big Questions.  

4 Wednesdays from 7:30 - 9:00 PM
May 3, June 7, July 12, Aug. 2

Meet at the home of Michele Weiden
37 Locust Street, Greenvale

EXPLORING THE GENERATIONS
Do you have children who somehow grew up to be adults? 
Do you like to wrestle with your connection to them? 
Do you like to share photos of the generations of your family members?

How about asking big questions? 

Join together to explore this new vantage point, parenting adult children, seeing your relationships through a different lens as we explore big questions and find clarity with connections yet to be discovered.

4 mornings from 11:00AM-12:30PM. 
Thursdays June 15 & 29, July 13 & 27

Meet at the home of Leslie Popkin
2 Hewlett Road, Greenvale 

CONNECTING TO NYC MEMBERS
Do you live or spend a lot of your time in NYC AND want to stay connected to the RSNS community? This group is for you. 

Cocktails, camaraderie, and new connections, all through the lens of asking big questions.

4 Spring/Summer Wednesdays at 6:30PM
May 10, June 14, July 19, August 16

Meet at the home of Natalie Mines
221 West 77th St.

LGBTQ&A: Queer families bond over big questions

Led by Cantor Eric, the group will meet as a supportive space where we can make and deepen connections between each other as we grapple with how we answer these big questions!

4 Spring/Summer Mondays, 6:00-7:30PM
May 22, June 5, June 26, July 10

Meet at the Sousa Bandshell
Port Washington, NY
BYO seating 
(rain location: RSNS)

LIFE AFTER KIDS: WHAT’S NEXT?
Join RSNS members Matt and Lisa Harris to share experiences, make connections, and explore how life changes when the kids leave for college and move out. 

4 Spring/Summer Wednesdays, 7:30-9:00pm
May 10, June 14, July 12, and Aug 9

Meet at the home of Matt and Lisa Harris
64 Reid Ave, Port Washington

PAIRING BIG QUESTIONS with GREAT WINE  (THIS SMALL GROUP IS FULL)
Join RSNS members Rebecca Hirschwerk and Marc Kramer for a summer of pairing big questions with great wine. Let’s get to know each other through conversation and reflection as we toast to building community. 
 
4 Summer Tuesdays from 7:30-9:00PM
June 27, July 11, July 25, August 8
 
Meet at the home of Marc Kramer
20 Chestnut Road, Manhasset
 
$50/person to cover the costs of wine 

FROM THE SOUND TO THE SHORE  (THIS SMALL GROUP IS FULL)
Facilitated by: Zari Ginsburg & Sari Skolnik
Together we will explore the beauty of what’s in our own backyards while creating dialogues around the Big Questions and building new connections.

Brooklyn Bridge
Date: Sunday June 25th at 4:00pm

Meet on the Manhattan side for a walk across the bridge and wander around the streets of Brooklyn.  Group will gather for dinner in Brooklyn.

Sunset Stroll on the Boardwalk at Long Beach 
Date: Monday July 17th at 6:00pm

Enjoy the sounds of the ocean while walking the boardwalk.  Group will meet for a meal at a local eatery. 

Planting Fields Arboretum, Oyster Bay
Date: August weekday mid to late afternoon, exact day and time TBD

Group will gather at 3 pm for a guided tour of Coe Hall, “Designing Nature Inside and Out”. We will then walk the grounds of Planting Fields. Dinner to follow locally, either in Oyster Bay or Bayville, to be determined by group.

Visit to Winery in Northfork
Date: Saturday September 9th, afternoon

The group can decide closer to the date if anyone wants to stop at a local farmstand/food purveyor.
​​​​​​​Cost: There will be a nominal fee for the tour at Planting Fields Aboretum. Each of the other meeting dates there will be an opportunity to purchase food and/or beverages as part of our stroll. 

Please contact Rabbi Jodie if you have any questions at RabbiJodie@rsns.org