Congregation Ahavat Olam believes strongly that organized community activities help to strengthen our bond with each other, and within the Jewish Community and beyond. But it is not limited to worship services. We believe that FUN gatherings, also help to foster an environment of warmth, family, love, and laughter. These activities create a more relaxed environment for ‘getting to know each other better’, and strengthen our connections to each other. So, let’s have some fun! Below are our upcoming SOCIAL ACTIVITIES.
Our initial Shared Path gathering in March 2026 was offered as a listening and connection session for CAO members.
This gathering was designed to help us understand whether there is sufficient interest to move forward with Shared Path as an ongoing group. There is no expectation that the group will continue unless participants express that they feel it is meaningful and supportive.
Shared Path is a peer-based community — not a therapy group — and participation is entirely optional and self-directed.
You are welcome to attend whether you wish to listen, share, or simply be present.
This gathering is open to CAO members who have experienced the loss of a partner.
WHAT TO EXPECT
Congregation Ahavat Olam welcomed back Steven A. Rosenberg, editor and publisher of the Jewish Journal of Greater Boston, for a powerful evening of firsthand reflection and conversation.
Fresh from his recent trip to Israel — part of his continued coverage in the months following October 7 — Mr. Rosenberg shared reflections shaped by conversations with released hostages and others whose lives have been directly affected.
The evening included a segment from the premiere of “HOSTAGE,” a Jewish Journal documentary featuring four Israeli hostages released from Gaza, along with a discussion of his written reporting and the responsibility of Jewish journalism in times of crisis.
🎥 A portion of the documentary was shown during the evening.
Next Chapter Social is a members-only social group for CAO congregants who self-identify as seniors and are interested in relaxed, meaningful connections with others in a similar life chapter.
Gatherings are held monthly in the No. Andover and the surrounding area, MA.
This is not a program and not a support group — it’s a welcoming, low-pressure space to gather, socialize, share stories, enjoy good company, and build community at your own pace.
Gatherings may include casual Sunday afternoons, small group get-togethers, or special outings offered through our Second Act Sunday series.
What to expect:
Who it’s for:
CAO members who consider themselves seniors and are looking for social connection in a welcoming, unstructured environment.
Membership note:
This is a members-only group. CAO members are welcome to invite a guest to attend with them; registration is required for all attendees.
The Next Chapter Social group invites you to our first Second Act Sunday outing of the season—a relaxed and beautiful spring morning at Stevens-Coolidge Gardens, on May 3, 2026, where the tulips will be in full bloom. We’ll gather at 11:00 AM. 
To learn more and register.
Together, we celebrated the beauty, meaning, and joy of Passover as a community.
More than 70 members will gather during the 2nd night of Passover for an intergenerational family Seder hosted by Rabbi Idan and Einat at the Trinitarian Church in North Andover. We’re so excited to bring together members of all ages to celebrate the Jewish exodus from Egypt—our shared story of resilience, freedom, and hope.
Our recent Introduction to Jewish Genealogy program, 2/5/26, proved to be both fascinating and deeply enriching for those who attended.
Led by Carol Clingan, the session offered a thoughtful and accessible introduction to Jewish genealogy, along with an abundance of tools and ideas to help participants begin—or continue—their family research journeys. Attendees shared that the program was “very, very interesting,” “so informative,” and filled with “lots of great ideas regarding research.”
Carol’s depth of knowledge, warmth, and generosity as a teacher were widely praised. As one participant shared, “She is delightful and so knowledgeable!” Another noted that there was “so much to take in—my brain was on overload!”
We are grateful to Carol for sharing her wisdom and passion so generously with our community, and we appreciate everyone who joined us for this meaningful evening of learning.
Our community gathered for A Bar With a Mitzvah — a night filled with music, laughter, and connection. When the power went out and the room was lit by candlelight, the moment took on new meaning, reminding us of something Shabbat teaches us time and again: that presence, warmth, and togetherness matter most. 💙
Our community gathered for A Bar With a We invite you to enjoy these highlights — a beautiful reflection of community, shared light, and joy.
5/30/25: ‘Music of Freedom’, the Andover Baptist Church joined Ahavat Olam
4/05/25: SHA’ATNEZ Duo Concert at Congregation Ahavat Olam, North Andover MA
1/20/25: MLK Jr. Day, Rabbi Idan Irelander at Andover Baptist Church
The North Shore Music Theater staff took great care of us, and we are most grateful. THANK YOU NSMT!
FIDDLER ON THE ROOF follows Tevye, a poor milkman who is searching for husbands for his daughters to uphold his family’s religious and cultural traditions in their small pre-revolutionary Russian village. Featuring the classic Tony® and Oscar®-winning score including “Tradition,” “If I Were a Rich Man,” “Sunrise, Sunset” and “Matchmaker, Matchmaker” FIDDLER ON THE ROOF is a generational musical tradition for the whole family.
Congregation Ahavat Olam had such a beautiful family community gathering to celebrate the 2nd night Passover Seder, filled with the feeling of new beginnings and inclusivity. It was great coming together as a community to celebrate the Jewish Holiday of Freedom. Speaking of freedom, we included an empty table with two chairs for the hostages still kept in captivity in Gaza and added a fifth cup of wine for their safe and quick release.
#JewishCommunity #BetterTogether #FestivalOfFreedom 💙🇮🇱🎼🍽 Thank you Rabbi Idan Irelander and Einat for all of the love. 🫶
Picasso Has Nothing On Us! Wednesday night’s Ahavat Olam ‘Paint Party’ at North Andover’s Painting with a Twist was a colorful and fun-filled ‘Rembrandt success’! Thank you to all who participated!
Click on the album below to see our member chefs in action.
Keep on top of all upcoming temple events including worship services, holiday celebrations, life cycle events, musical guest appearances, and more.
Congregation Ahavat Olam’s 2024 HIGH HOLIDAY SEASON was nothing short of an awe-inspiring journey through this exceptionally special time of year for the Jewish Community. To re-experience some of these exceptional services, click on the button below.
Our temple calendar covers our weekly worship services, adult education classes, Hebrew school schedule, social activities, and much more. Click on the button below and bookmark it for easy access.
Details covering B’nai Mitzvahs, weddings, funerals, unveilings, shivah minyanim, brit milah, simchat bat, Zoom links for weekly services, and more are shared in our weekly newsletter. To ensure you’re ‘in the know’, sign up for our weekly newsletter, delivered every Friday to your email inbox.
