BTZ Pods are geographically-based (e.g. Braeside) and interest-based groups connected through a WhatsApp or Facebook group.

Any given Pod would contain a mix of adults at any life stage: young families, grandparents, young couples or individuals, families with teenagers. The goal being that members who do not necessarily know each other will form part of the group's make up, along with those who do know each other, to extend support and communal enrichment.

A BTZ Pod could use their communication system to:
(1) Organize events: E.g. picnics in the park, museum trips, Shabbat dinners.
(2) Help with day-to-day needs: E.g. babysitting, doctor recommendations, kosher food recommendations.
(3) Create feelings of inclusion and importance by receiving and giving important information.

21st century North America is an isolating and atomizing world. We are constantly being squeezed of time and resources and we must give ourselves the village we need to help with family and personal quality of life.
 
BTZ Pods is one solution in that it engenders a shtetl-izing force: Judaism for the 21st century, inspired by the 19th.

With BTZ Pods, Beth Tzedec members can continue to build a TRUE community together: a local network of support and responsibility.

How pods work is expected to evolve over the course of the trial by necessity and opportunity. However, the initial vision is as follows:

1- Sign up
2- Following sign up, those interested in the trial will be assigned to their Pod. (Starting with geography-based).
3- Each Pod will be assigned a "captain."
4- The captain will have certain responsibilities:
(a)-To start up their Pod's communication system (most likely WhatsApp or Facebook) and invite other Pod members to join.
(b)-To liaise with synagogue professional for funding, event coordination. (See below for more information on how funding works.)
(c) -To disseminate communication from group to synagogue. (I.e., names of attendees, pictures for social media.)

There are NO requirements for a Pod / no set amount of events per month, no required communication between members. All activity is based off the desire of Pod members themselves.

Any Beth Tzedec member!

Following the release of this interest form, we hope to have enough trial members to start 2-3 Pod groups in July.

Depending on how this trial period goes, we would begin a fuller rollout of Pods in the Fall.

Individual Pods can utilize the resources of Beth Tzedec in a number of ways. Want to host a Shabbat meal but you are intimidated about the rituals? Come learn one-on-one ahead of time with Rabbi Russ, Ari, or Jonah! Want a space to host the event itself? Well, we got lots of room.

In addition, Beth Tzedec will fund Pod events up to $15 per member or Jewish guest at the event, up to $100 per event. Pod members would need to provide the upfront cost and be reimbursed by Beth Tzedec following the event.

In order to receive funding, the Pod would need to report attendance, receipts, and provide pictures (if not on a Jewish holiday prohibiting photos) following the event. This would be done through an online Pods Reimbursement Form.