JCC Greater Boston – To implement the ME/WE project, which uses art to elicit and create stories to help families explore their own narratives and connection to Jewish life.

ME/WE: Seeing Something New Together is a direct response to the changing Jewish cultural landscape and to the needs of families of every configuration who want to connect Jewishly. ME/WE will help them clarify their Jewish values and identity while it helps JCC Greater Boston staff learn to listen to their stories so we can create programs that are relevant and impactful.

The program will consist of a series of three facilitated, collaborative art experiences for parents, using their own individual and family stories to explore their identities and connection to Jewish life. These events will be facilitated by Merill Comeau, an experienced creative professional and artist, and will be held on weekday evenings or on Sunday mornings, depending on the community. Additionally, JCCGB will develop ME/WE@home, which will include two take-home kits of activities, and will be distributed twice over the course of three months to all Metro North JCC member families to broaden the impact of ME/WE. These take-home kits will be designed to elicit multi-generational family narratives.

JCC  Greater Boston will be looking for movement in three key areas: 1) Did families feel a deeper connection to their Jewish life? 2) Did families make a connection to each other in a new way, to others in the community and/or to the JCC? 3) Did we learn new skills, tools or adaptations we can use now and in the future to better understand and respond to the families in our community.