It’s hard sometimes to meet new people. It’s even harder to meet people who have the same faith as you. Whether you’ve just moved to Boston, or have been holed up in your apartment for the last five years working and taking online classes at night, there’s still hope for you to find a place to belong. Boston is no different from any other city, and just like any other metropolis: If you’re looking, you can find a place to belong.

For those in the Jewish faith, the temple is a great place to belong. By joining a temple, you can become a contributing member of your community. Every synagogue has several committees and groups where volunteers can help. The best way to get involved in these committees is to get to know the other members as well as the Rabbi and other high ranking officials in the synagogues. It will also help to know what you’re good at. You wouldn’t want to sign up for a childcare project if you don’t like kids. Although many young adults have not wanted to pursue this type of volunteerism, you will get to meet people outside your age group and perhaps grow closer to the few young adults who share your interests and are also volunteering.

Aside from volunteering at the temple, you may find another organization to be appealing. The Anti-Defamation League is an organization that works on civil rights problems including anti-Semitism. It is great for those interested in law, humanitarian efforts and even marketing or public relations. Hadassah is a women’s organization that is geared towards strengthening ties with Israel and continuing to create a role of Jews in American Society. Both organizations are great places to meet like-minded individuals who are interested in making their city and country a better place to live. Once again, the likelihood of finding volunteers in the same age group may be difficult, but it’s still a good place to meet other Jews in your community.

Volunteering is a good way to meet new people, but it isn’t the only way for newcomers to meet new people. Boston also has many casual meeting places for individuals to meet likeminded people. The Chai Center is about 20 minutes from Boston, laying in Brookline. Young adults in their 20’s and 30’s can meet and form relationships with other Jewish members.

Another meeting place to consider is Gersher City. It’s not an actual city, just another way to connect Jews with like-minded individuals through groups known as clusters. Though the name sounds formal, the clusters are just groups that share the same interests, for instance there is a book club.

At first these groups may seem intimidating for newcomers, but often there will be a designated person to help new people adjust and meet new friends. If social gatherings are usually a problem, it would be fine to invite some friends, Jew or otherwise.

Though meeting new people can be tough, it is still important for everyone to connect with others who share the same beliefs. We were not meant to live alone, without any human interaction. The best thing is to put yourself out there and find new ways to meet people. There are many organizations and groups to try, and often they will be able to lead you to other organizations and events..

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