Warm welcome

[vettecat]

We already knew the Jewish community in Malden was very warm and welcoming. In the past couple days we've received 3 invitations for meals our first Shabbos in town after we move (I asked if we can take a rain check on the 3rd). But I just got this note from one of the shul members, and thought it was really above and beyond:

The Sisterhood has pooled together on different occasions to make meals for people at different times. We'd like to make some meals for you as you take some time to settle into your new home. People have already offered to make sure that you have food Monday night of your move, and again on Thursday. Please let me know if this is something that you are comfortable with so that I can confirm these meals with people, and I can let you know as anyone else offers to bring something. Also, do you have any dietary restrictions/preferences?
Your new neighbor,
[name]

Wow. At least we won't have to dig through the boxes for cereal our first night in the new house...

Comments

[joecoustic.livejournal.com]

How very nice. Especially since I can see this being the kind of community that you would feel good being a part of (since this is something I could see you offering to do for someone else).

[vettecat.livejournal.com]

That's actually exactly what I was thinking... that it would be fun to be part of that for someone else, next time around.

[lokiz-mom.livejournal.com]

wow. i wish that was a reality in more communities. life was good back then.

[vettecat.livejournal.com]

It is kind of nice. We've lived in our condo 5 years and we still don't know all the people in our building.

[amysuemom.livejournal.com]

This was so wonderful to read. I am on the BoD for our synagogue (in Westboro) and also the chair of Membership now and am trying to set up a culture of connecting like this with our new members. One of my goals this week is to call our recent new members and welcome them. I was wondering if you would mind me sharing the content of this post with my commitee and board (I'd remove any identifying details) as an example of the "right" way to welcome new members and help them connect in their new community?

[vettecat.livejournal.com]

I'm sure I know you but I don't know from where... context? :-)

Sure, feel free to share! Glad it might be useful. I know they've also put together a "welcome handbook" of where the supermarkets are, etc., but we haven't gotten ours yet.

[amysuemom.livejournal.com]

Let's see, Arisia? Persis? Adria? UMass? Mary? John? Cambridge? Jewish stuff? It could be anywhere and as I am horrible with names and rarely place LJ names with "real" faces until I've been hit with a virtual sledgehammer, I am embarassed that I can't remember where or the context. I am certain we've never been married however .

I like the Welcome Handbook idea and think I'll spring that on the commitee too.

[vettecat.livejournal.com]

Still can't put a face to the handle, but I'm sure it'll come to me eventually.