Discover Havurah of the Desert!
Located in Palm Springs, CA and serving the surrounding desert area.
We are a Jewish Community without walls in the Coachella Valley whose focus is on Spirituality, Jewish Education, Community, and Fellowship.
​
What is a Havurah? The word Havurah is the Hebrew word for fellowship or friendship. We do an in-person Havdalah, (a Jewish ceremony that marks the end of Shabbat and the start of the new week) once a month, held in various homes and followed by a social time together, sharing food and wine that people bring (sometimes its dessert and wine, other times it’s appetizers and wine, depending upon what the host decides). Sometimes it's even a full pot-luck style supper. We encourage people to bring something made in their kitchen, as it gives everyone a sense of investment in our community. Besides, who really wants an over-sized pie from Costco?
​
We are a warm, welcoming, and diverse group—singles, couples, straight and gay—Jews and non-Jews, who gather to enjoy Jewish life together. ​​Part of what makes us such an enjoyable and interesting group is our age range, which runs from mid-40s to mid-80s. It’s all good, everyone accepts everyone, and we become very close friends.
We are a founding partner with American Jewish University in their educational program, Maven, we have our own lecture series, having recruited several nationally known speakers, and we sponsor the Shalom Book Club which meets once a month, currently on Zoom. We also have a Wednesday Happy Hour and Supper Club, which goes to various local restaurants each week. In addition, since 2022 we've been sponsoring an annual Community Seder and break-the-fast supper. All of these events are listed on our calendar on our website.
We have spearheaded 2 significant public fundraisers, one to support HIAS in the work they do around the world to help asylum-seekers, and another to help provide warm clothing and blankets to Ukrainians during their harsh winter-conditions.
​
We are a self-directed group that decides our own goals and future together with minimal organizational hierarchy.
​
We welcome you to join us!
​
email: info@havurahofthedesert.org
On the Web: www.havurahofthedesert.org
Havdalah Services
