NCEJ grantees use a variety of marketing channels to publicize their programs

Many grantees use Facebook, Instagram, and Google ads to attract participants. Some have also found it effective to advertise in local media (both print and online) and hyperlocal media (such as online blogs). In addition, grantees have used postcards, lawn signs, and banners to publicize their programs.

We fund programs that have never been offered before…as well as programs that have been offered many times in the past–as long as our eligibility guidelines are met. Visit our Grant Process page for more details.

Taste of Judaism® – Congregation Keneseth Israel, Allentown PA

Keneseth Israel’s most recent Taste® class was in-person. NCEJ funds were used primarily for advertising. Staff provided their teaching expertise gratis. Some grant funds were also used to pay security costs.

Thirty-three students registered for this year’s course. In 2018 and 2019 almost 60 people took the 3-session class. For the synagogue the course serves as an entry-point for further engagement and hopefully membership into the KI community. The synagogue plans on offering Introduction to Judaism in spring 2022.

Marketing: Martina Obenski, Taste® coordinator, reports that the overwhelming majority of participants cited the advertisements in local papers as their primary source of information about the class.

“We would not be able to fund the advertising for the local media outlets without the assistance of the grant monies.”
– Martina Obenski, Taste® Coordinator

Information on the KI website accounted for the remaining registrants. Some also mentioned the lawn signs on the synagogue’s property.

Jewish Essentials Class – The Jewish Federation of Raleigh-Cary (Fall 2021)

Jewish Essentials activity take-home kit (funded in part by NCEJ)

For the first time since Covid began, the Raleigh-Cary Federation offered its Jewish Essentials class in-person last fall. The class is taught by area rabbis, and offers an overview of Jewish holidays and life-cycle events for people interested in conversion, interfaith couples, and Jews wishing to refresh their childhood religious education.

Fifteen students registered for the class. Each participant received an “Intro to Judaism” kit that included the supplemental reading “Living Judaism” by Wayne Dosick.

Advertising: The NCEJ grant enabled the Federation to increase marketing and bring in more people. They increased the budget for Facebook advertising, and also advertised in other places.

Jewish Ritual Kits: Jorie Slodki, Grants and Content Manager, commented that the kits the students received made them feel more connected to the Jewish community. The kits contained candlesticks/candles, grape juice, challah covers, gelt, and dreidels.

Student Suggestions

“This class was a confirmation that conversion to Judaism is indeed the right path for me. My next step will be contacting a rabbi for further study.”
– participant

• Students would like a virtual option to always be available so that the class could be accessible for people with health concerns.
• They also said that they would like class materials to be available in languages other than English for students who need it.

For more details contact Jorie Slodki, Grants Manager.

Pop-Up Judaism – Kehillah Richmond (Jewish Holidays 2022)

Kehillah Richmond – Jewish Learning Cafe

Kehillah Richmond provides an entry point for Judaism for many people who would like to engage Jewishly but are not sure if the institutional Jewish community is right for them. The program is geared to people who do not identify as Jewish as well as interfaith families. For 2022 Kehillah plans on having pop-ups for the major holidays at an event space in a Richmond neighborhood and at other locations.

“I love being part of a community so welcoming to newcomers.”
– past participant/conversion student

Marketing: At each pop-up Kehillah will be promoting upcoming events. Marketing materials will include booklets, flyers, posters, and postcards. Print materials will also be available at public spaces and community events.

Program Materials: Kehillah will have give-aways at each event, such as inexpensive Judaica related to a specific holiday. In addition, there will be small desserts related to the holiday, such as hamentashen for Purim.

Conversion and Interfaith Programming for Interfaith Families – Israel Movement for Reform and Progressive Judaism

Israel Reform (IMPJ) has received several grants for holiday programs geared towards families from Russian speaking backgrounds. The newest grant is for year-long programming, and includes experiential learning, classes, and other outreach events to educate, engage and connect interfaith families and non-Jews with Judaism.

Marketing: IMPJ uses a variety of marketing methods to increase attendance for both virtual and in-person programs. These include social media (both organic and promoted), interviews on traditional media (Russian-Israeli TV and radio channels), articles posted on digital community platforms such as forums and blogs that have high readership, banners and flyers, and word of mouth/phone calls to invite local community members.

Program Materials: IMPJ plans on using the NCEJ grant to develop Jewish celebration kits that will include small food items for holiday customs, ritual items, games, and activities, and holiday blessings. A graphic designer will create downloadable mini-kits. The grant will also be used to purchase books and other printed materials that students can use in conversion classes. There will also be musical accompaniment for family-friendly prayer services.

See How Grantees Have Successfully Promoted Their Programs:

Our Marketing Gallery is chock-full of examples, ranging from Facebook and Instagram ads to print flyers, postcards, and brochures. NCEJ reimburses for some of the costs for graphic design and printing, and for email marketing campaigns directly attributable to a specific program. We encourage grantees to use NCEJ funds to expand their marketing efforts beyond their own networks and national online advertisers.

Recent Grants

United States:

• American Jewish University – Miller Introduction to Judaism program
• Institute of Southern Jewish Life – Conversion programming
• Jewish Federation of Central New York – Acquiring a linguistic link to Judaism
• Temple Beth Shalom, Hudson, OH – Judaism 101
• Congregation Har Hashem, Boulder, CO – Judaism 2.0

International:

• Israel Movement for Reform and Progressive Judaism – interfaith and conversion program for Russian-speaking families
• Hillel Poland
• Hillel Russia

Looking for ideas that you can use in your community?

Check Out Our New Programming Page:
“Introduction to Jewish Traditions”

It’s packed full of programming ideas and helpful hints to help you run a successful program. Learn about short overview sessions, full-fledged Intro programs, and programs to help individuals build a Jewish home. See our “Introduction to Jewish Traditions” page.

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At the same time, take a look at our Interfaith and Intercultural Engagement page, which illustrates ways our grantees have helped interfaith and intercultural individuals and families connect to Judaism.

Have a question about what we might fund? Drop us a note

We encourage inquiries from synagogues, JCCs, Federations, and other Jewish organizations located in the US and many other countries. Reach out to us or email Ellen Gerecht, Executive Director.

To apply, go to our Grants Process page. Applications are accepted anytime. We are flexible on format – we fund online, hybrid, and in-person – or a combination! Plus, you can change the format after your grant has been awarded — we understand that circumstances change. Have a question as you go through the application? Don’t hesitate to contact us.  Applicants are generally notified within 45 days.

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