Calling all North Shore singles: Let’s hang out.
A new program at Temple Judea of Manhasset seeks to attract singles from across Long Island and the five boroughs for various social outings, but without the romantic pressures that often accompany singles dances and other like-minded programs, according to its founders
“We wanted to present nice programs where it wasn’t dependent on meeting someone,” said Jerry Perelman, a Roslyn Heights resident who co-founded the program shortly after joining Temple Judea’s board in September 2013.
“People started to ask me, knowing that I’m single, if there were any activities for singles at the temple,” he said. “We started to brainstorm this and thought it’d be a terrific thing to do, to open this up to everyone as a diverse group that would draw singles from all over to get together to make new friends and form new relationships.”
The program, tentatively called Temple Judea Singles, will host “dignified and responsible” gatherings for residents looking for a good time, Perelman said, including restaurant dinners, nature walks, trips to Broadway shows and tours of New York City.
While Perelman said that the program would not dissuade matters of the heart, its primary goal is to encourage singles to make new friends.
“We don’t want people to think that these groups are only successful if they meet someone,” Perelman said. “Sometimes we forget that single people are dynamic and they engage in their occupations and their family interests, but when single people go home, they close the door and sometimes it can be a little lonely. Meeting people with like-minded interests can be a wonderful thing.”
Perelman said singles don’t have to be Jewish or belong to Temple Judea to participate.
The more, he said, the merrier.
“We encourage people to come by themselves, but if you have some friends, bring your friends,” he said. “The more people that come, the more they’re likely to find someone in their age group that they can say hi to.”
Approximately 55 people attended the first Temple Judea Singles event last month, a seminar detailing travel tips for trekking the globe alone, and Perelman said he expects an even larger turnout for a pre-Hanukkah celebration at the temple on Dec. 15.
An online Temple Judea Singles group page has also been started on the events website MeetUp.com to encourage ideas for future outings. Perelman said Judea has contacted other area synagogues to increase participation.
“We’re trying to let the people who attend this guide us. We’re trying to figure out what would get you excited,” Perelman said.
