We sat down with Shaina, a passionate Jewish community-builder and environmental advocate, to hear about her journey in the Greater Hartford Jewish scene, her love for sustainability, and the connections she’s fostering.
Read the full interview below!
Urban Dor: Tell us about what you like about the Greater Hartford Jewish community and when did you first hear about Urban Dor?
Shaina: I love seeing the growth of the community here. Even since moving a year and a half ago, I have already seen an increase in the quantity of events offered and in the number of people being reached. I am excited to see the ways the community will continue to meet this demand with more programming and engagement in months and years to come! I first heard about Urban Dor through the local young Jewish adult WhatsApp group; my first Urban Dor event was the Wine & Cheese Social at The Crown!
Urban Dor: We love that you jumped into the Greater Hartford Jewish community headfirst and started a new group for Jewish women, tell us about your first event and where you envision it going?
Shaina: When I was in college at George Washington University in DC, I was the co-founder of a Jewish sorority, so I feel like a lot of my inspiration came from the joy of that community and group brought me. There is something so special about having a space and ritual just for women. Throughout the last year or so, I have mentioned this idea to some people at events, with lots of reciprocated enthusiasm, so finally I decided to make it happen! Our first event was supported by The Greater Hartford Jewish Federation and took place on Rosh Chodesh Shevat. We discussed what Rosh Chodesh is and how it became a woman's holiday, did a text study about Shevat, specifically into the ideas of people planting roots and growing, like trees, in the spirit of Tu B'Shevat. In that same Tu B'Shevat spirit, we snacked on some dried fruit and nuts and made tree collages out of recycled magazines. All of this was grounded in a deep sense of connection and community-building. We already have our next event planned, hosted by another community member! Feel welcome to join the WhatsApp group.
Urban Dor: We are so inspired by your love for the planet and infusing Jewish principles through it. What are ways for people to get involved with Jewish sustainability?
Shaina: I work full-time for an organization called, Adamah. At Adamah, we work to cultivate vibrant Jewish life in deep connection with the earth and help people understand the connection between "people and planet," "Adam and Adamah." Adamah has opportunities for people of all ages. Specific to our community, are things happening at our nearby Retreat Center, Isabella Freedman. Whether it be with our organization, or just reflecting on the ways that Judaism's holidays, history, rituals, and values are connected to environmentalism and climate, there are so many ways to make this more central to your spiritual experience. Whether that be reflecting on the ways Judaism calls on us to be stewards of the planet, emphasizes Bal Tashchit (not wasting) and Tikkun Olam (repairing the world), hosting a vegan Shabbat dinner, calling on your synagogue to commit to taking bold climate action... all of these things are so valuable!
Urban Dor: For Urban Dor's next event - the Wine & Cheese Social in March 2025 - you will be volunteering with us to make Charcuterie Boards (thank you!) - how did you first get involved with that hobby and are you considering taking it further than a hobby?
Shaina: I have always loved to be creative, and this hobby really just came about randomly when making cheese boards for family and friend events. I realized I was both quite good at it, and also had a lot of fun making them! I also love that it is a way to bring in and support local farmers and their produce (during the right seasons). I plan to continue keeping the hobby pretty lowkey, needing to make time for so many other hobbies and passions, however I am always happy to chat if people have a special request or event and want to chat about the possibility of me making a board for them! I love getting to customize based on preferences - I have made mediterranean-themed boards, dessert boards, so many other variations!
Urban Dor: What do you enjoy doing in your down time in Greater Hartford?
Shaina: In the warmer months, I am a big outdoors gal, always on a walk or hike somewhere, one of my favorites is Talcott Mountain. I also love exploring new coffee shops and restaurants, some of my favorites are Birdhouse Coffee in South Windsor and Sayulita in Glastonbury!
Want to connect further with Shaina? Email her at shaymorrel@gmail.com.
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Register for Urban Dor's Wine & Cheese Social on March 27th, 2025.
Urban Dor is a 100% volunteer-led nonprofit organization for Greater Hartford young adult Jews and founded by Simon Lichter - connect with Simon on LinkedIn.
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