The program was designed to engage a large number of brotherhood and temple members in a variety of improvisational sketches. Roughly four months before the program, we began to have meetings to outline potential improvisational sketches and allowed three months for practice. We essentially divided into two teams of performers, one preparing long form sketches, and the other tackling short form improvisational games. As no one had experience doing improv, we sent YouTube links to performers to watch improvisational comedy using shows such as "Whose Line is it Anyways?". In setting up rehearsals every other week, we were able to engage two young community members who were in an improv troupe in college to offer coaching on how to approach the evening. The goal was to develop comfort in trying the different skits using each other as an initial audience and practicing improvisational games to get ready.

Each member of the performing group was assigned to several comedy sketches and the routines included ideas from a hat, props in a box, an Uber drive through New York City, a Kvetching Chorale, a surgery scene, freeze tag, and a Jeopardy-type game in which the answers were provided by the audience for a total of 12 sketches. Over time and with practice, the crew became more comfortable responding to scene suggestions raised by the coaches and participants. We also chose a Master of Ceremonies to move acts along and prep the audience and introduce the improvisational members, and chose the name "The Improvniks" for our group. We even had our Rabbi participate in a sketch and engaged nearly 20 members in the acts, none of whom had done this before.

One of our members prepared a flyer for the event and we advertised on the Temple website, during Shabbat announcements, in our synagogue bulletin, via email blasts, on TV monitors in the lobby, and by word of mouth. It was decided that we should utilize table seating with snacks and beverages followed by a dessert buffet. Tickets could be purchased individually or at a discount when buying a table. As it turned out, purchasing a table was not only more economical, but it also encouraged friends to invite friends. Several days before the event, a few members did food shopping and we had several volunteers the night of the event set up all the tables, food, wine, and beverages. Our hope was to get at least 60 audience members for this first time event, but the buzz created brought in 150 people. Of particular interest was not only the broad age range, including more younger attendees, but also individuals who have had little to do with the shul or the Brotherhood, which was an original goal. As an added way to raise funds, we hosted a 50-50 raffle which raised several hundred dollars on the spot.

All told, the ImprovBrotherhood night ran nearly two hours between the performances and time for socializing. The event created a very positive feeling for the synagogue, with laughter and camaraderie. Temple members enjoyed a great night out, while Brotherhood members enhanced friendships and discovered that they could succeed in something outside their comfort zone by pulling together. Many people were eager to see this event repeated and we may do so on an every other year basis.

See Private youtube link (do not make public please) https://youtu.be/nt72-3tDzhg