Living Room Minyan

On Saturday evening, June, 20, the peripatetic Living Room Minyan (LRM), which comprises, in most part, 30s and 40s something couples and their children, stepped into our house for a Havdalah prayer service and pot luck.

We attended our first LRM Havdalah just three weeks ago in a nearby south Austin home and enjoyed it so much we volunteered to host. Kati takes the organizational lead on all social matters—that way, we actually have social matters!—but from what I've gathered, the group is organized by evite and tries to meet somewhere in Austin, TX at least once a month for Friday night or Havdalah services. (Once each per month would be really nice.)

Some random observations:

• Between the three or four families that seem to form LRM's core—all of whom are members of Conservative Congregation Agudas Achim—the five or six that are also long-term participants, and the five or six newbies we added to the mix, there were approximately 50 attendees—roughly 28 adults and 22 kids.
• The attendees were born on at least four continents and represent a broad spectrum of Jewish socio-economic groups.
• At least two thirds of those present live in southwest, south, and east Austin, rather than the Jewish community's "traditional" heartland of north central and northwest Austin.
• Judging by the noise level, mingling, empty bottle count, and comments, the adults had fun: judging by the relative harmony and the time it took us to hose down the patios, tidy the yard and playroom, and touch up a few paint chips, the young ones had a scream. (Building fun memories of Jewish gatherings is essential to their future as Jews and to our survival as a religious community.)

With concerted effort, we newbies could help the LRM in its efforts to continue personalizing the somewhat less than close-knit Austin Jewish community. (That is, if that's what LRM wants to do.)

Most importantly for right now, however, having about 50 friendly, open people share Havdalah in our home was wonderfully moving—the perfect way to start a new week. Thanks everyone for coming.

Shavua Tov. Have a great week.