Submission #22052 by Beth El Temple Men's Club - West Hartford (217)
I have read the 2021 Torch Awards Program Guidelines.
Walk Around Reservoir and Coffee
COVID-19
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The goal of this ongoing program, held twice weekly throughout the year, is to provide an opportunity for participants to walk for about an hour and schmooze, followed by coffee at a convenient location. COVID-19 restrictions such as limited parking, social distancing, and infeasibility of congregating indoors required us to make changes.
This program is an adaptation of an existing program, due to COVID-19, which earned a Gold award in the Health & Wellness category in 2017.
A peaceful, picturesque reservoir surrounded by a 3.6 mile walking path is about a 5-minute drive from our shul. In July 2015, an active board member of our Men's Club shared that he went on regular walks around this reservoir. These walks were done with his friends and family members. He suggested that we publicize the walks as a Men's Club event to encourage others to participate. The goals were simple: Fitness and camaraderie. Building connections with others. Offering an alternative to our programs which typically are held in our temple, with a presentation and/or food. This program addressed the challenges of people not getting enough exercise and not having enough opportunities to connect with others. The program was open to everyone in the community. The program benefited our club by reinforcing our belief and actions that our purpose is not just to serve Men's Club members. It's not just to serve temple men. It's to incorporate our reach throughout the temple and beyond.
The walks were originally held every Tuesday and Thursday morning, weather permitting, year round with the exception of the period from Thanksgiving to early April. After the walks, if there was interest, people would get together for coffee and refreshments.
This became so popular that it was extended to year round. During the winter months, we could not walk around this reservoir when the wooded path was covered by snow. However, there was another area nearby with multiple reservoirs and paved roads that we could walk. Wherever the walk was held, we'd meet at a local coffee shop to relax and continue our schmoozing.
When COVID-19 hit, we did not skip a beat. We had to quickly adapt to some necessary changes.
Parking was limited at the reservoirs, and there were not always enough spots for the 5-10 of us arriving in cars. Just a few miles away, however, was a rail trail that had adequate parking nearby. We'd meet there until parking opened up at our original locations. We'd wear masks on our walks.
Sitting inside at Dunkin' Donuts afterwards for coffee presented a challenge when most, if not all, seats were removed per COVID-19 safety guidelines. That didn't stop us, however, from continuing with our post-walk coffees and schmoozing. We would bring our lawn chairs with us, and find spots in either the parking lot or grass area nearby, and create our socially-distant circle. All year, even during the winter. We'd dress appropriately (winter coats, hats, scarves, gloves, etc.) and enjoy our hot coffee outside.
For many of us, this was the only exercise and social activity we were able to do outside of our home during the pandemic.
A peaceful, picturesque reservoir surrounded by a 3.6 mile walking path is about a 5-minute drive from our shul. In July 2015, an active board member of our Men's Club shared that he went on regular walks around this reservoir. These walks were done with his friends and family members. He suggested that we publicize the walks as a Men's Club event to encourage others to participate. The goals were simple: Fitness and camaraderie. Building connections with others. Offering an alternative to our programs which typically are held in our temple, with a presentation and/or food. This program addressed the challenges of people not getting enough exercise and not having enough opportunities to connect with others. The program was open to everyone in the community. The program benefited our club by reinforcing our belief and actions that our purpose is not just to serve Men's Club members. It's not just to serve temple men. It's to incorporate our reach throughout the temple and beyond.
The walks were originally held every Tuesday and Thursday morning, weather permitting, year round with the exception of the period from Thanksgiving to early April. After the walks, if there was interest, people would get together for coffee and refreshments.
This became so popular that it was extended to year round. During the winter months, we could not walk around this reservoir when the wooded path was covered by snow. However, there was another area nearby with multiple reservoirs and paved roads that we could walk. Wherever the walk was held, we'd meet at a local coffee shop to relax and continue our schmoozing.
When COVID-19 hit, we did not skip a beat. We had to quickly adapt to some necessary changes.
Parking was limited at the reservoirs, and there were not always enough spots for the 5-10 of us arriving in cars. Just a few miles away, however, was a rail trail that had adequate parking nearby. We'd meet there until parking opened up at our original locations. We'd wear masks on our walks.
Sitting inside at Dunkin' Donuts afterwards for coffee presented a challenge when most, if not all, seats were removed per COVID-19 safety guidelines. That didn't stop us, however, from continuing with our post-walk coffees and schmoozing. We would bring our lawn chairs with us, and find spots in either the parking lot or grass area nearby, and create our socially-distant circle. All year, even during the winter. We'd dress appropriately (winter coats, hats, scarves, gloves, etc.) and enjoy our hot coffee outside.
For many of us, this was the only exercise and social activity we were able to do outside of our home during the pandemic.
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An adaptation or enhancement of a previous Torch Award entry TAxx-xxxx|