International Conversion and Outreach
Introduction to Judaism Course - Congregação Israelita Paulista, Brazil
The main objective of the 1-year conversion program was to introduce the basic concepts of Judaism so that students could “follow their life within the community.” The program included meetings with the synagogue rabbis, as well as attendance at religious services. A pluralistic view of Judaism was emphasized. An average of 50 people are interested in participating in the course.
Congregação Israelita Paulista Brochure
"Judaism belongs to us because we study, live, practice, and feel it.”
- Congregação Israelita Paulista
Marketing: The program was publicized on social networks and on the congregation’s website. Some printed materials were also produced.
View the congregation's brochure (PDF)
Student Feedback:
- Participants enjoyed how open the teachers were to discussion and varying viewpoints.
- They liked having teachers from both Reform and Conservative denominations.
- There was a request for more diversified content, such as audiovisual lessons rather than relying just on the traditional class format.
What the NCEJ Grant Helped Provide:
- The congregation was able to improve the quality of the program’s publicity.
- More promotion brought in more participants.
Welcome to Judaism - Temple Shalom Manitoba, Winnipeg Canada
Temple Shalom Manitoba is offering a free sequel to the Intro course for potential Jews of choice, designed as the final section of the conversion process. This class will explore what it means to convert to Judaism. Besides the sessions, in which participants will engage in conversations, there will be journal reflections which will mostly focus on the topic covered in class.
The classes will be focused more in-depth on the topics that were covered in the URJ Intro to Judaism classes. It will also provide an opportunity for students to interact with Jewish of Choice in the congregation. These congregants will serve as mentors and role models for the prospective Jews of Choice. Most importantly, this course will create a community where participants can support each other, be in a safe place to ask questions, and to ultimately create their conversion journey.
“I like to think of the Jewish people living in a metaphoric tent with flaps open wide in all 4 directions welcoming all those who are Jewish, Jewish curious, Jewish adjacent, spiritual seekers, and anyone who would like to learn about the ancient wisdom that can be so relevant to our modern lives.” - Sherry Wolfe Elazar, Jewish Learning Educator
Program Materials: “Honoring Traditions—Embracing Modernity” will be used as the textbook. Participants will also receive Welcome to Judaism gift bags with ritual items.
The grant will also help cover the costs of security.
For more details contact Sherry Wolfe Elazar, Jewish Learning Coordinator.
Jamaica Conversion Program - Shaare Shalom Synagogue, Kingston, Jamaica & The Center for Jewish Life at Beth David, Miami, FL (Fall 2023-Spring 2024)
The Shaare Shalom Conversion Program was a year-long program of Judaic studies for over 20 people who were interested in converting to Judaism. Many of them lived a distance from Shaare Shalom, and could not have easily undertaken an in-person only experience. They were taught remotely by Rabbi Adam Gindea at the Center for Jewish Life at Beth David, Miami. Students met monthly, exploring the Jewish calendar and traditions, and participated in the weekly Torah study group and other virtual programming offered in Miami. Rabbi Adam also met one-on-one with the students as part of the conversion process.
A formal conversion ceremony was held in June in Jamaica. Rabbi Gindea was accompanied by his wife and two other rabbis. The ritual immersion was in the ocean waters surrounding Jamaica.
Watch the celebration videos & see the program photos here.
"This has been such a remarkable experience to witness and facilitate.”- Rabbi Adam Gindea
Factors contributing to a successful program:
Students were deeply committed to learning about Jewish life and practice.
Students read and learned on their own and brought questions to the monthly conversion sessions.
What’s App groups helped keep conversations going and increased connections between students.
Shaare Shalom hosted various holiday experiences, bringing the cohort together in person to live Jewishly.
The weekly Torah study sessions with Beth David created bonds between the Jamaican Jewish community and the Miami community that will last beyond the year-long conversion program.
"The infusion to the community with two minyan’s worth of Jews has cultivated a spark to help reignite and reinvigorate this very special community.”- Rabbi Adam Gindea
Looking Ahead:
There are many on the Island who have Jewish ancestry who are seeking a Jewish life, according to Shaare Shalom and Rabbi Gindea. There is already a list forming for the next round of conversions. In addition, this group of new Jews by Choice are interested in continuing to explore what it means to be Jewish.
Family Camp - Midreshet Schechter
There is a growing desire on the part of people with Jewish roots in Ukraine to rediscover their Jewish heritage, which often culminates with conversion to Judaism. Candidates interested in converting study with the Midreshet Schechter Institute rabbi for one to two years, and take part in Jewish community life. The program is held in several cities in Ukraine, including Kyiv and Odessa. Weekly classes are held in person and via Zoom.
The program also has an individual component that addresses personal questions and issues. Conversion preparation includes attending a local kehillah for Shabbat activities at least once a week and a conversion class. Classes with candidates consist of the basics of Shabbat and kashrut in addition to the study of the weekly Torah reading.
One of the highlights of the program is a family camp that enables participants to experience a full Shabbat for the first time. The family camp gives families – Jewish, intermarried, and those converting - the experience of a week together in the country, learning how to bring Jewish tradition into their homes, providing them with an invaluable building block in the development of their Jewish family identity.
Introduction to Jewish Studies - Hillel Kyiv
Hillel Kyiv sponsored a 9-month program that encouraged those who had just found out about their Jewish roots or were interfaith to learn about Judaism. In an informal way the program encouraged people to live a Jewish life by providing the tools for them to celebrate Judaism at home. Participants took practical classes online, and learned about the traditions, rituals, and observances of Judaism. There were sessions on how to cook traditional foods and prepare for the holidays.
Advertising: The program was promoted on social media and by word of mouth and a special landing page for registrations was created.
Judaism 101 - Hillel Poland Foundation
Judaism 101 was a series of 10 educational events designed to introduce young people who did not grow up with Jewish traditions to Jewish beliefs and values. Each session features a guest speaker and discussion is encouraged. The goal was to create a community that helped participants create their own Jewish identity.
“Now we want to invite them to be part of the Jewish life and experience it themselves, with the goal that Judaism and the Jewish tradition will become part of their lives.”
- Magda Dorosz
Marketing: Hillel Poland launched a biweekly social media campaign targeting university students in Warsaw. In addition, they sought out cross-promotion opportunities with providers of open access Jewish programming. Leaflets were printed and distributed to attract new attendees.
Program Materials: Participants received Shabbat kits, and had the opportunity to partake in a Shabbat dinner.
Contact Magda Dorosz, Executive Director, for more information.
Converting with the Family: Introduction to Jewish Holiday Customs - Israel Movement for Reform and Progressive Judaism (IMRPJ)
Israel Reform operates many programs for interfaith and non-Jewish immigrants from the former Soviet Union (FSU). Many of these are for families with children of various ages who are interested in conversion. Converting with the Family: Introduction to Jewish Holiday Customs is a virtual program that introduces the families to Judaism in an engaging manner via Jewish holidays, including take-home kits to supplement Zoom learning. Virtual programming enables IMPJ to increase its geographic reach and the frequency with which it engages both old and new program participants since program components are readily available both live and recorded.
“We deeply appreciate the grants awarded by NCEJ for this purpose and we have received strong positive feedback from families who feel more connected to Judaism and more educated as a result.”
- Tamar Roig
Advertising: The program was marketed via social media, Russian-language outlets, and direct phone calls to potential participants. Word of mouth was the most effective in Spring 2021, but there was also an increase in participants who came as a result of social media promoted ads (perhaps due to increased online usage during Covid).
Program Materials / At-home Kits: Kits were provided for each holiday. They contained items related to the holiday, arts and crafts for the children, traditional foods, and blessings and other materials. The holiday kits helped increase engagement, and also provided something that families can keep for the long term.
Contact Tamar Roig, Director of Partnership Development, IMRPJ, for more information.
Global Bat Mitzvah - Project Kesher
Project Kesher is a nonprofit headquartered in New York City that focuses on programs for Jewish women primarily in Russian-speaking countries and Israel. In Spring 2022 they held b’not mitzvah and young leaders told their own stories, in English.
“The growth that a person can experience in their life when they go from having no Jewish identity to choosing a Hebrew name and reading Torah. It was a very meaningful project.”
- Shira Pruce, Development Director
Watch the celebration video here. Regarding the Global Bat Mitzvah celebration, Shira Pruce said, "I think it really speaks to the work of NCEJ."
For details contact Project Kesher.
Finchley Progressive Synagogue, London - “Delving into Judaism” newsletter post. NCEJ credit
Delving into Judaism - Finchley Progressive Synagogue London
The purpose of the program was to attract and welcome people to Judaism—not necessarily to convert them, but to have people initially feel welcomed and inspired to understand Jewish life and want to learn more. A supportive and engaging atmosphere was created, despite the limitations imposed by an online environment. The quality of the learning encouraged connections with the synagogue, and many of the students have committed to additional classes and regularly attend virtual services.
For more details contact Rabbi Birk.
Lessons Learned for Virtual Learning - Tips and Advice:
Hiring high-quality teachers increases students’ connections to the organization as well as to Judaism
Investment in good equipment, such as microphones, is vital to the success of the program
Transitioning to virtual learning takes time. Curriculum has to be adjusted to combat screen fatigue
Integration into the wider community is more difficult than in person learning
Approaching Judaism - Finchley Progressive Synagogue London
Finchley Progressive Synagogue is offering a 10-week course (April-June 2024) “Approaching Judaism and Openness of Welcome,” taught by clergy. It offers a place for students to learn about Judaism and gives them the opportunity to experience being part of a congregation. The NCEJ grant will also pay for some of the costs for security and custodial support.
Audience: The program is aimed at people who have been interested in/interacted with the congregation’s social media posts and people with Jewish relatives who have never fully experienced Judaism.
"We will run a programme in the lead up to Shavuot that is accessible to all; for those who are newly interested in being Jewish and those entirely new to Judaism.”
- Rabbi Rebecca Birk
Cost: The cost will be minimal in order to draw people through the doors.
Advertising: The program will be advertised on social media and through email/ postal mail. In addition, the organizers plan to put up laminated posters in the local community.
Innovative Ideas:
Sprucing up the synagogue’s premises to make it more attractive to newcomers. The entrance area is being refurbished to make it more welcoming, including providing more space for visitors to sit down and chat, and new shrubbery and flowers are being added outside the building.
How FPS describes their program to participants:
We make welcome those who are single, in couples, in families, interfaith, with children or without, those who come for the first time to learn or those who are moving from other Jewish homes. However you are approaching Judaism, you are welcome.
- Finchley Progressive Synagogue London homepage message
For more details contact Rabbi Birk.
Conversion in the Iberian Peninsula - World Union for Progressive Judaism (WUPJ)
The WUPJ conversion program in the Iberian Peninsula featured conversion classes on-line and (pre-Covid pandemic) in-person visits, outreach, educational materials, lifecycle, and conversion ceremonies, under the leadership of Rabbi Alona Lisitsa. Rabbi Lisitsa’s program works in coordination with the Bet Din of the European Union for Progressive Judaism.
Promotion of Conversion Classes: WUPJ promotes the availability of conversion classes through the network of Progressive Jewish Congregations in Spain and Portugal as well as on their respective websites.
Innovative Features
When Covid broke out, Rabbi Lisitsa started daily Torah study sessions and discussions for all interested participants and led Havdalah each week. This helped strengthen the connection to Judaism and to each other that developed through the conversion class.
Have a Question? Reach Out to Us
Have an idea but not sure it meets our guidelines? Please reach out to us at 301-802-4254, or contact Ellen Gerecht, Executive Director.