Triple Chai (Ages 54+)

Triple Chai is Society Hill Synagogue’s social group for congregants ages 54 and older. Chai (with the “ch” pronounced like in “challah”) means “living” in Hebrew and is a word formed by two Hebrew letters whose numerical value totals 18. Hence Triple Chai!
Recent Triple Chai programs and activities have included outings to theatre and a meal, specially guided tours of local art galleries, renowned speakers, and Jewish journeys to Morocco and to Italy. We welcome all adults ages 54 and older — singles and couples — to join us and build deeper bonds in a fun, welcoming ambiance. For more information, please contact Triple Chai Co-Chairs Robin Cohen and Natalie Landro at triplechai(at)societyhillsynagogue.org.

Upcoming Events:

Three-Day Cultural Excursion to New England

Monday, Nov. 9 – Wednesday, Nov. 11
Click here to register by September 4
Together, we’ll discover some of New England’s most fascinating literary, artistic, and historical destinations. Highlights include a visit to the renowned Yiddish Book Center in Amherst, Massachusetts, home to one of the world’s largest collections of Yiddish literature and culture; the Mark Twain House in Hartford, Connecticut, where America’s beloved author wrote many of his most famous works; the Smith College Museum of Art; and the historic Connecticut State Capitol.
Monday – 11/9/26
– Depart Philadelphia
– Lunch (pay on your own)
– Visit the Mark Twain House in Hartford, Connecticut
– Check into the hotel in Amherst, Massachusetts
– Dinner at a local restaurant
Tuesday – 11/10/26
– Continental breakfast at the hotel
– Tour of the Yiddish Book Center (lunch – pay on your own)
– Visit the Smith College Museum of Art
– Dinner at a local restaurant
Wednesday – 11/11/26
– Continental breakfast at the hotel
– Depart the hotel
– Visit the Connecticut State Capitol in Hartford
– Lunch (pay on your own)
– Return to Philadelphia
Cost per person, with a minimum of 20 passengers:
– Single: $926
– Double: $737
– Triple: $673
– Quad: $642
Cost includes round-trip motor-coach transportation, hotel lodging including continental breakfast, two dinners including tax and gratuity, and all admissions (except for a suggested donation to the Yiddish Book Center). Cost does not include motor-coach driver gratuity. Please note: Itinerary is subject to change.

Click here to register by September 4

Jewish Heritage Journey to Mexico

Pack your bags — we’re heading to Mexico! Join us February 28 – March 10 for an unforgettable journey featuring seven nights in vibrant Mexico City and three nights in the beautiful colonial town of San Miguel de Allende.
Questions? Please contact Triple Chai Co-Chairs Robin Cohen and Natalie Landro at triplechai(at)societyhillsynagogue.org.

 

Click here for the Itinerary and Pricing, and Save $150 if you Register by August 31!

Lunch & Music with Les “Doc” Rachlin

🗓️ Sunday, October 18
🕒 12:00 pm (Lunch) and 1:00 pm (Performance)
📍 Society Hill Synagogue
💰 $10 Society Hill Synagogue Members | $36 General Public
 
Join Triple Chai for lunch and an entertaining performance by Jewish American folk singer and guitarist Les “Doc” Rachlin. His repertoire includes beloved songs by Jewish American songwriters such as Paul Simon and Bob Dylan, along with surprising favorites you may not know were written by Jewish artists. Blending blues, ballads, rock, country, and show tunes with engaging storytelling, Doc creates a performance that is both enlightening and highly enjoyable.
Les “Doc” Rachlin began his folk career in the early 1970s, opening for Johnny Cash, Conway Twitty, and Loretta Lynn before pursuing a career in medicine. Encouraged by his family, he returned to music in 2001 and has been captivating audiences ever since.

Click here to Register

Typewriters: Past & Present

🗓️ Sunday, November 8
🕒 3:30 pm
📍 Society Hill Synagogue
💰 $10 Society Hill Synagogue Members | $18 General Public
 
Step into the fascinating world of typewriters! Join us on Sunday, November 8, at 3:30 pm at Society Hill Synagogue for an engaging presentation from the Typewriter Museum. Explore the history and evolution of these iconic machines through a slide presentation, and see electric typewriters in action with a hands-on demonstration.
Join us for an afternoon with Bryan Kravitz, founder of Philly Typewriter, who has worked with IBM Selectric typewriters for more than 50 years. Bryan will share the fascinating history of the typewriter, from hieroglyphics to 1895, and explore the role and value of the typewriter in today’s society.
Bryan began his career in 1975 at a technical school in San Francisco before opening a typewriter shop in Berkeley, California. He eventually returned to Philadelphia and opened Philly Typewriter, now the largest typewriter shop in the world. The shop restores vintage machines, supplies Selectric parts worldwide, trains future typewriter mechanics, and helps bring typewriter enthusiasts together.
The program begins promptly at 3:30 pm. Enjoy complimentary seltzer, water, tea, coffee, and cookies while you take a nostalgic trip through the world of typewriters!

Lunch & Speaker — “The Foundations of Jewish Success”

🗓️ Sunday, December 13
🕒 11:00 am
📍 Society Hill Synagogue
💰 Included with Society Hill Synagogue Membership | $18 for General Public
Join Triple Chai for lunch and an enlightening talk by Dr. Joseph Berger on “The Foundations of Jewish Success.”
This talk explores the remarkable achievements of Jews and people of Jewish descent since the Enlightenment, examining their representation in fields such as science, medicine, finance, and the arts. Dr. Berger will discuss historical, cultural, educational, and genetic factors that have been proposed to help explain these patterns, including the impact of Jewish migration, historical limitations on employment and land ownership, the value placed on education and scholarship, and the possible role of inherited traits and neurological conditions found more frequently among Jewish populations.
Dr. Joseph Berger is a semi-retired academic neurologist. He currently holds emeritus status at the University of Pennsylvania, the University of Kentucky and the University of Miami.

Brunch & The Word Mavens

🗓️ Sunday, January 24
📍 Society Hill Synagogue
🥐 11:00 am — Brunch
🎤 12:00 pm — Presentation
💰 $18 for Society Hill Synagogue Members | $36 for General Public
Join Triple Chai (54+) us for a delightful afternoon with The Word Mavens, the acclaimed duo behind the beloved “Shmoozing With The Word Mavens” presentation. Through humor, storytelling, and fascinating insights, they’ll explore the rich language, traditions, foods, and culture of Jewish life — from the origins of favorite Yiddish expressions to the stories behind beloved Jewish customs.
Filled with laughter and nostalgia, this engaging program is sure to entertain longtime lovers of Jewish culture and curious newcomers alike.
Books will be available for purchase at this event. 

Brunch & Speaker — Elaine Culbertson

🗓️ Sunday, February 21
📍 Society Hill Synagogue
🥐 11:00 am — Brunch
🎤 12:00 pm — Presentation
💰 Included with Society Hill Synagogue Membership | $18 for General Public
Join us for a meaningful and inspiring program with Elaine Culbertson, child of Holocaust survivors and author of Mamaleh. Through storytelling and reflection, Elaine will share her family’s journey and the experiences that shaped her deeply personal book.
Come together for an opportunity to hear Elaine’s story, connect with our community, and learn more about the lasting impact of memory, resilience, and family history.
Elaine will have copies of Mamaleh available for purchase and signing.