JERUSALEM – Hakhel, the Jewish Intentional Communities Incubator which has been successfully engaging millennial Jews in their heritage, has added 27 new communities based in the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Belgium, Norway, the United States, and Australia.

The European communities chosen for this cohort include:

• Kehilla Hashira in Borehamwood, UK
• Hungarian Minyan Berlin in Berlin, Germany
• The Paris Sustainable Community in Paris, France
• JewSalsa Brussels in Brussels, Belgium
• The Oslo Jewish Family Group in Oslo, Norway

Hakhel is at the forefront of fostering Jewish continuity by forging intentional communities, given that community is the second most important factor in Jewish identity, after the family.

A Jewish Intentional Community is one built of individuals who live in close proximity to each other; share a sense of purpose around what it means to be in a community; have a long-term vision for the community they seek to create; are rooted in Jewish life, to whatever extent they are comfortable; and meet together on a regular basis with the intention of reaching a wider group of people and having on impact in the world at large.

The new communities have all undergone a thorough application and vetting process, including both written statements and interviews with Hakhel’s staff and its partner in the endeavor, Israel’s Ministry of Diaspora Affairs. They join 33 communities previously selected by the organization in Europe, bring the total number in the region to 60.

These communities will receive professional support from Hakhel over the next three years to develop their community based on their specific needs, such as increasing participation, fundraising, branding, programming, education or any other aspect of their growth. They’ll continue to work with Hakhel’s staff to develop sustainable models for ongoing growth, helping to ensure the continuation of the connection to Jewish identity and services for their members.

According to a recent survey commissioned by Hakhel and conducted by the well-regarded Do-Et Institute in Israel, disengagement with traditional Jewish communal organizations like synagogues and community centers is far worse than previously documented. Hakhel sees it as its mission to help create Jewish communities that meet the needs of millennials.

“The unique experience of millennial Jews in Europe leads them to look for a different path when it comes to their relationship with organized religioun. Our goal in working with such a diverse group of communities is to ensure that any Jew seeking a connection to our faith has a place for them to do so. If we are innovative in our approach it can have a meaningful impact for generations,” said Hakhel Founder and General Director Aharon Ariel Lavi. “The plethora of these new communities joining the Hakhel network shows that our formula for engaging millennials is working and taking root for Jews throughout the world. We are encouraged by the geographic diversity of the intentional communities joining our program.”

“The State of Israel understands its obligation to help diaspora communities grow in their connection to Judaism and our homeland. We support the work of Hakhel and its programming with intentional communities around the world because we have seen the wonderful results of more engaged Jews, particularly millennials, as a result of that great work,” said Dvir Kahana, Director General of the Ministry of Diaspora Affairs, Hakhel's key partner.