WOWing the Community

Founded three years ago with the simple goal of bringing Jewish families together in Southwest Orlando, WOW Chavurah has grown into something much bigger: a thriving, grassroots community built on warmth, friendship, and shared connection.

Cofounded by Adam Cohn and Randa Marder, WOW Chavurah was born out of a recognition that many Jewish residents in Winter Garden, Ocoee, and Windermere were searching for meaningful ways to gather locally.

While Central Florida offers a vibrant Jewish community overall, opportunities for Jewish celebrations and activities in Winter Garden and surrounding areas were limited. Both Adam and Randa were uniquely suited to help fill that gap.

Leading by Example

Adam, who moved to Winter Garden in 2015, grew up in small Jewish communities where participation and leadership were essential.

“In every place I’ve lived, I’ve been involved in the Jewish community,” he says, having served as a Hebrew school teacher, a temple board member, and a temple president.

Randa’s background was similarly rooted in Jewish communal leadership and creating spaces where people feel like they belong. She helped build community initiatives around the country, served as the first adult services director at The Roth Family JCC, and was president of Congregation Beth Am.

After meeting through a Shalom Orlando focus group, Adam and Randa decided to launch a local chavurah, a Jewish fellowship group focused on gathering, learning, and connection. WOW Chavurah’s first event was held in July 2023 at Little Hall in Winter Garden. The response was immediate and enthusiastic.

Since then, the nonprofit WOW Chavurah has continued to flourish while maintaining the inclusive, inviting atmosphere that first drew people in. As it has from its inception, the group celebrates traditions by gathering for Shabbat services every month and for the High Holidays.

Growth Spurt

Over the past two years, several smaller social groups and programs have emerged organically. WOW Chavurah now offers monthly adult education classes led by Adam, where participants explore the Torah, Jewish values, spirituality, culture, and history.

“Jewish learning is a lifelong journey,” says Adam. “Whether you grew up deeply connected to Jewish learning or are reconnecting later in life, all are welcome.”

One of the vibrant new groups is geared toward community members ages 50 and up. Coordinated by Marcy Stollon, the seniors meet on the first Sunday of the month for brunch or dinner at local restaurants.

“Whether you grew up deeply connected to Jewish learning or are reconnecting later in life, all are welcome.” – Adam Cohn

“It’s been a great way to connect and enjoy each other’s company,” says Marcy.

The Women’s Rosh Chodesh group has also taken flight. A bimonthly gathering run by Marcy, Randa, and Meredith Hirschberg, the focus is on Jewish connection, spirituality, music, and creativity as seen through a feminine lens. The women’s group draws on the talents and backgrounds of its members, blending Jewish learning with arts and cultural traditions from across the community’s diverse membership, which includes American, Brazilian, Argentinian, Colombian, and Israeli families.

“We hope to learn with a Jewish feminine twist, adding art and music,” says Randa. “As a group, we enjoy being together. We love to watch the children grow, celebrate births, bar and bat mitzvahs, and once in a while, a wedding, too.”

Another group spawned by WOW Chavurah is Nice Jewish Runners Orlando, whose members gather weekly for Sunday morning runs, socialization, and friendship.

“All of the special interest groups (Rosh Chodesh, the 50+ group, Jewish Runners, the adult education classes, and more), serve to connect people of like interests and build relationships,” says Randa.

All Are Welcome

There’s a strong sense of authenticity and community at the heart of WOW Chavurah’s continued success.

“I’m proud of the consistency and growth due to our warm and welcoming atmosphere,” says Adam.

That growth has been made possible in large part thanks to the generosity of Andy Pargh and The Pargh Foundation, whose grants and donations have helped support programming, meeting spaces, and community expansion.

Looking ahead, Randa and Adam hope WOW Chavurah will keep evolving while remaining grounded in the values that inspired it from the start.

“We want to continue to be a group that can bring Jews together and connect socially with a Jewish purpose,” says Adam.

And perhaps most importantly, WOW Chavurah strives to offer something increasingly meaningful in today’s world: a place where people feel supported, valued, and embraced as they are.

To learn more, visit WOWChavurah.com.