Congregation Beth El in Sudbury will host “Reweaving Our Social Fabric: A Timely Film and Conversation with Robert Putnam” featuring a screening of “Join or Die,” a documentary based on Putnam’s groundbreaking research about declining participation in religious and civic life, plus a conversation with him the following week.

“Reweaving Our Social Fabric: A Timely Film and Conversation with Robert Putnam” begins with a showing of the Emmy-nominated feature documentary on Sunday, Jan. 4, at 2 p.m. It will be followed on Sunday, Jan. 11, at 2 p.m. by a conversation with Putnam at Congregation Beth El in Sudbury. This event will also be broadcast via Zoom.

“Join or Die” builds on Putnam’s groundbreaking Bowling Alone research into how America’s decades-long decline in community connections could hold the answers to our democracy’s present crisis. The film features perspectives from influential figures in politics, journalism, and academia. It also highlights groups that are building community in neighborhoods across the country. “Join or Die” addresses questions such as: What makes democracy work? Why is American democracy in crisis? And, most importantly, what can we do about it?

“Houses of worship are facing declining membership across the board, and Putnam helped me to see how we’re all affected by the same pressures,” said Rabbi Josh Breindel of Congregation Beth El. “Even more, given the deep political and social divisions around us, this felt like the perfect moment for us to come together. I’ve often shared reflections on the epidemic of loneliness that we’re all facing. Putnam is inspiring us to live out the classic phrase, ‘We’re stronger together.'”

“This is an important topic for Jews because our Jewish community and communal institutions offer us so much in both good times and bad,” said Rabbi Ben Einsidler of Congregation Beth Sholom in Framingham, one of the seven synagogues and churches that are co-sponsoring these events with Beth El. “Judaism is meant to be experienced most fully in community with others. When institutions such as synagogues, day schools, JCCs and others are neglected along with personal relationships, we’re unable to experience the fullest expression of what it means to be Jewish.”

The other co-sponsoring congregations include B’nai Torah MetroWest (Wayland), Memorial Congregational Church of Sudbury, Sudbury United Methodist Church, Ascension Parish (Maynard and Sudbury), the First Parish (Framingham) and the Greater Framingham Community Church.

Both events are free to members of the sponsoring synagogues and churches and $25 for others. Register here.

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