Assembly: we build community.

09/25/2026

What happens when the plan falls apart?

Sometimes, that’s when the best part begins.

In our latest episode of Assembling Community, Erica sits down with her husband, Rabbi Dmitry Ekshtut, to talk about Sukkot, community building, and the beauty of the unscripted moment.

They start with a Sukkot dinner more than a decade ago that was interrupted by a downpour (and ended with a marriage proposal!) and get into a bigger question: How do you prepare thoughtfully enough to be able to let go of the plan when the moment asks something different of you?

Give it a listen:

In this episode of Assembling Community, Erica sits down with her husband, Rabbi Dimitry Ekshtut, to revisit the rainy Sukkot night when a storm pushed thirty guests into their one-bedroom Harlem apartment, and he proposed. They talk about what changes when a carefully planned gathering falls apart,...

09/15/2026

Community builders spend their days creating welcome spaces for other people. But how often does someone create that space for them?

Assembling Community is our answer to that question.

On October 26-28, we’ll be hosting Jewish community builders from across the country for our first-ever in-person gathering in Chicago.

You can expect opportunities to connect and share tips, sessions with concrete takeaways, and activities that will leave you feeling inspired.

Learn more:

https://assembly.community/convening

09/08/2026

We meet with lots of community builders and educators who are making special things happen!

While these folks tend to be well-connected locally, they don’t always get to meet with others who are doing similar work to share learnings and brainstorm ideas.

That’s why we’re hosting Assembling Community, a convening that will bring together the folks who are creating and keeping alive Jewish communities across the country!

Curious to learn more? More info at the link below ⤵️:

https://assembly.community/convening

09/03/2026

We’ve been loving hearing from listeners what’s been resonating (and what hasn’t) from our podcast, Assembling Community. We recently got this note:

“I loved this week's podcast! I could relate so much to when you all were talking about the dance floor/balcony analogy. I am also a minutiae person! And I am greatly appreciative of the opportunity of perspective.”

Have something to share on our podcast? Send us an email or comment below:

In this episode of Assembling Community, the Assembly team, Erica, Dan, Leah, and Graham, share a behind the scenes look at Assembly's first ever Community Builders Convening. They talk about where the idea came from, introduce brand new programming, and dig into what it means to design a real user....

09/01/2026

that Rosh Hashanah is less than 2 weeks away? (Deep breaths, everyone)

If you’re craving gathering with like-minded people for inspiring conversations on the High Holidays, Judaism and community, it’s not too late to start an Elul Circle!

Elul Circles are a free, simple way to gather a small group — and to open up four meaningful conversations in the lead-up to Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, and Sukkot.

We provide the curriculum, facilitator guidance, and support. All you need to bring is yourself and a group of people eager to dive in.

https://iyun.us/elul-circles/

08/27/2026

🎉Today we’re releasing an extra special episode of our podcast!

As you may have heard, we’re preparing for our first ever Assembling Community Convening! On October 26-28, we’ll be gathering an awesome group of Jewish community builders and innovators in Chicago.

And in our latest episode, we're giving you a sneak peek into the programming we're planning for this special event.

Click through to listen and learn more about the convening:

In this episode of Assembling Community, the Assembly team, Erica, Dan, Leah, and Graham, share a behind the scenes look at Assembly's first ever Community Builders Convening. They talk about where the idea came from, introduce brand new programming, and dig into what it means to design a real user....

08/20/2026

What does real listening require of us? And what does it have to do with Rosh Hashanah (yes it’s coming up faster than you think!)?

We dive into all of this and more in episode 5 of our episode.

Check it out:

https://rss.com/podcasts/assembling-community/3061503/

08/18/2026

Recruiting people for an event can sometimes feel like creating something from nothing… but it doesn’t have to be that way.

One tip we shared in a recent Master Class is to identify moments when people naturally emerge to seek community and build on that demand.

Those moments could be Jewish holidays (looking at you, High Holidays!), life cycle moments or the start of the school year.

Take a look below to learn more:

08/13/2026

You planned the program. You ordered the food. You made the flyer. People showed up.

And somehow the room still felt a little flat.

Our November Master Class, Reimagining Gatherings: How to Host with Purpose, Boldness, and Audacious Hospitality, is built around that exact frustration.

In the two-part class, we'll get into what it actually takes to design a gathering with a clear reason for being, and how to host with enough courage and care to help people truly arrive.

PS. Did you attend our July Master Class? Use the code HOTSKILLSSUMMER to take $36 off your November registration.

https://assembly.community/reimagininggatherings/

08/12/2026

Our latest podcast is a little bit different. Rather than telling you about how Elul Circles work we’re giving a sneak peek into one.

Already listened to it and want to learn more? Sign up to host an Elul Circle – we promise, it will be fun!

https://rss.com/podcasts/assembling-community/3061503/