3-4 Session Overview Courses
Overview courses are usually 3-4 sessions, sometimes offered to the community at no-cost.
Taste of Judaism® - Union of Reform Judaism (URJ)
Taste of Judaism® is a free 3-session class sponsored by URJ member synagogues that explores the topics of Jewish spirituality, ethics, and community values. This class is designed for those who would like to explore Jewish traditions and holidays. Many other organizations offer similar programs.
Virtual Programming 2020: URJ has found that participation is higher than in pre-Covid times, perhaps because there are fewer scheduling conflicts and it is easier to attend an on-line class than finding a place where a class is held near one’s home and cope with commuter traffic. Moving all programs online has expanded accessibility for those who have suitable technology available to them.
Taste of Judaism® - (formerly Temple Emanu-el Tucson) now Kol Ami Synagogue
Description: Temple Emanu-el Tucson (TE) held 2 sets of 3 2-hour classes via Zoom. Each class normally includes literal tastes of Judaism, but in 2020-2021 due to Covid participants received recipes instead of food.
Advertising: The URJ provided the social media advertising. TE advertised via synagogue emails, local papers (both print and online), and also on public radio.
What Worked Well - Tips and Advice
The class was promoted using a mix of different marketing methods to reach a diverse audience.
Students liked having multiple teachers since teaching styles varied.
Virtual Programming Compared to In-Person
The coordinator commented that in-person offers a number of advantages:
- Students have the opportunity to taste traditional Jewish foods, which helps create class cohesion.
- She also noted that when she called students from her cell phone some wouldn’t answer because it was an unfamiliar number, whereas they would have answered if she called from a phone at the synagogue.
Format of Future Programming: Some Classes Remote, Some In-Person
Temple Emanu-el plans on offering 2 sets of classes remotely, and 2 sets in person. If Covid guidelines permit, TE will include literal tastes of Jewish food at the in-person classes. In the past, volunteers provided the desserts and the congregation purchased the rest (such as latkes and applesauce), which reduced costs.
Taste of Judaism® - Congregation Ner Tamid, Las Vegas
Taste of Judaism® ad - funded in part by NCEJ.
Congregation Ner Tamid offers a Taste® course every year. It was offered via Zoom in 2020.
Advertising: Ner Tamid advertises in local newspapers and via social media. Many people also sign up by word of mouth.
Evaluation: Congregation Ner Tamid has developed its own evaluation form. One participant of the class commented:
“After taking this course I feel like I am one step closer to my goal of conversion to Judaism... but nothing compares to being in a learning environment with other students. I learn from others questions.”
For more information contact Heather Seltzer, Program Coordinator.
Taste of Judaism® - Congregation Keneseth Israel, Allentown PA
Congregation Keneseth Israel (KI) regularly offers A Taste of Judaism® class. KI has found that the strong educational component provides a stepping stone for many taking the class to venture into further exploration of Judaism. Pre-Covid participants liked sampling a different Jewish dessert each week.
Many people who attend Taste® go on to KI’s 6-week Introduction to Judaism class which follows, and some then become members.
Advertising: The class is advertised in both Jewish and secular media outlets in the Lehigh Valley, as well as on social media and on lawn signs in front of the synagogue.
“Our Rabbi …makes Judaism come alive for those individuals trying to answer the question 'where do I belong?'”
- Martina Obenski
For more information contact Martina Obenski, Outreach Coordinator.
Some distinctive features of KI’s Taste® Program:
KI uses guest speakers to enhance the core curriculum.
The program coordinator and guest speakers are not reimbursed for their time. To them it is a privilege to share their time and knowledge with the group.
Handouts and materials to enhance content of the presented material are provided by KI at no charge to the TOJ Program.
Innovative Idea
One distinctive take-away from the class: each participant received a KI “schlep” tote bag (pictured here)
Intro to Humanistic Judaism - Society for Humanistic Judaism (SHJ)
Society for Humanistic Judaism is offering a 3-part, in-person, free mini-course for newcomers to Judaism that will provide an understanding of Jewish history, culture and rituals, through secular and humanistic perspectives.
Seven SHJ-affilated congregations have agreed to offer the course, and SHJ will coordinate it. SHJ will coordinate the program nationally, and also write and design a printed, bound, glossy course kit to accompany the curriculum as a free give-away to program participants. The magazine-like booklet will include Humanistic Judaism ritual practices, suggested reading lists, and more to augment the learning and provide an essential resource.
Society for Humanistic Judaism brochure - NCEJ Credit (PDF)
"We were gratified to see the direct correlation between increased advertising and increased participation in our Cultural Conversion program last year, thanks to the NCEJ grant.” - Paul Golin, Executive Director
View Society for Humanistic Judaism brochure (PDF)
View Society for Humanistic Judaism booklet (PDF)
For more information contact Paul Golin, Executive Director.
Belonging, Believing, Behaving - Tidewater Chavurah, Virginia Beach
Tidewater Chavurah, Virginia Beach offered a program entitled “Belonging, Believing, Behaving” (pre-Covid). Rabbi Ellen Jaffe Gill taught the class through a Reconstructionist lens, emphasizing that there are myriad ways to be Jewish. One person who attended had recently converted but wanted to fill in gaps in her knowledge.
For more information contact Rabbi Ellen Jaffe Gill.
A Basic Understanding of Judaism - Congregation Emanu-El of Waukesha, WI
Congregation Emanu-El of Waukesha, WI received a grant (pre-Covid) for a 4-session course called “A Basic Understanding of Judaism.” The subjects covered were “How Jews view God”, “Holidays and Shabbat and Services”, “Jewish Ethics and Interpreting it in the Torah”, and “The Jewish Community and Israel”.
Advertising: The class was promoted in the local paper, the Jewish press, and on the temple website and Facebook page.
For more information contact Cantor Deborah Martin.
“A Nosher’s Plate: Overview of Judaism” and Intro - Kolot Mayim Reform Congregation, Victoria Canada
Kolot Mayim Reform Congregation received an NCEJ grant to adapt both the overview course and the Intro course materials to an online format.
Advertising: Kolot Mayim used email advertising and word of mouth to bring in people. This year 12 people signed up for the overview and the longer Intro course.
In addition to virtual classes, participants regularly attended Shabbat services and other synagogue programs. Many group members regularly corresponded with the rabbi, asking questions about course content and Jewish practice in general.
For more information contact Gilda Good, Board Member.
What Worked Well - Tips and Advice
The rabbi received the questions as individual emails, but provided the answers to the group as a whole so that everyone could learn.
The online format enabled people who lived further away, or with limited mobility, to participate. It also provided a safe space for students to present themselves in their variations of binary genders.
The rabbi/teacher met monthly with each student, to establish a rapport and check progress towards conversion.
What the Congregation Might Do Differently in the Future
Although the online format has some advantages, next time the Board hopes to have some in-person sessions in order to increase the connection of participants with the congregation.
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.