“Friends” was a very popular TV show from 1994 to 2004 that celebrated the friendship among a group of 20-somethings, but those friends were amateurs compared to the multi-generational members of Chavurah Bet (“a collection of friends who celebrate Jewish rituals together,” in the Hebrew language). 

That is a group of 15 Northwest Philadelphia Jewish families who marked the group's 50-year anniversary with a special celebration Dec. 17, at Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant in Chestnut Hill. 

The collection of friends was one of many such groups that were formed across the country in the late 1960s and early '70s to reconnect young Jews to their faith. 

While many of the groups were concentrated on college campuses, Chavurah Bet was founded at the Germantown Jewish Centre in Mt. Airy. Many Chavurah Bet families are members of the Germantown Jewish Centre, but the chavurah is an independent entity.

“Several of us wanted to join the existing Chavurah Aleph, which was operating out of the Centre,” Chestnut Hill resident Judy Levy, one of the founders of Chavurah Bet, said, “but it was full, so we formed our own Chavurah.” 

The other similar friends' groups operating out of Germantown Jewish Centre are no longer in existence, but Chavurah Bet has remained active for five decades with about 15 families, give or take two or three. 

The group’s activities, about 12 to 15 a year, have included their own High Holiday services; Passover seders for up to 60; Purim parties; approximately 200 Shabbat (Jewish day of rest, from sunset Friday to sunset Saturday) dinners; movie, theater and concert evenings, often with Jewish-related content; celebrations of members' life cycle events; book and film discussions related to issues and events such as the Jewish Film Festival and trips to museums in Philadelphia, New York and Washington to see exhibits of Jewish interest.

Chavurah Bet has even published its own Shabbat cookbook that features recipes of the members' favorite dishes.

Chestnut Hill resident Dick Goldberg, whose family has been a member for 42 years, told us, “Half of the members have been here for the whole 50 years. My wife, Deborah Weinstein, may be the youngest member at age 74.

David and Jo Baskin of Mt. Airy were in the original group a half-century ago. “Our kids went to a Quaker school,” Jo told us, “and we wanted them to feel part of a Jewish community, also. The intimacy of a small group of families was perfect.

“We have celebrated life cycle events with them, shared holidays with them, read and discussed books with them, discussed movies, grieved with them, 'Zoomed' with them and watched our children and grandchildren grow up forming some lifelong friendships there, too. In other words, it's family.”

Elliott and Ellie Seif, of Mt. Airy, joined 47 years ago. “We have cried together and told stories (and still cry together and tell stories) at Chavurah member funerals,” Elliott said. “For 50 years, the Chavurah has been a blessing for both our generation and for our children.”

Marty and Linda Millison, of Mt. Airy, were among the founders 50 years ago. “We moved here from Baltimore and were looking for some connection to Judaism and to people who were like-minded,” Marty said. “Some of our best friends are still members of the group. Membership and participation in the group has been a meaningful experience in our lives.”

Len Lear can be reached at lenlear@chestnuthilllocal.com