Passover Book Fair and DIY Seder
The Jewish Enrichment Center in Chicago, an independent Jewish nonprofit, used an NCEJ grant to promote their Passover Book Fair and DIY Seder. The first part of the program introduced participants to formats and materials they could use to lead a personalized Seder. The Center also set up a display of over 30 haggadot. The event was publicized on Facebook and Instagram, as well as in the local Jewish federation’s online portal.
Tips for anyone considering offering a similar program:
- Advertising works! This was the first time the Center had a chance to market their program to a wider audience. Facebook and the federation portal were especially effective tools for reaching new people.
- Have handouts available, not just links to sources. For example, participants requested photos/artwork illustrating freedom to use at their Seders.
- Allow time for free-flowing discussion. Participants enjoyed sharing ideas about incorporating what they learned in their own Seders.
“This workshop gave me lots of ideas about how I can lead my Seder.”
– DIY Seder Participant
Contact Rabbi Rebecca Milder, Director, 773-234-9403 for more information.
Pathways to Judaism
Jewish Discovery Institute, in Newton, MA, offers the Conservative Movement’s “Pathways to Judaism” class at different suburban Boston locations for people who are considering conversion. An NCEJ grant helped pay for a flyer that publicized its programs. There were 50 students in this year’s class.
“The Pathways program has… allowed us to gain a deeper understanding of our respective backgrounds and the traditions we each grew up with. Today, we can confidently say that based on the content of this program… now have a clear and united vision for our future together.”
– Pathways Program Participant
What Worked? The colorful brochure was an effective complement to Facebook and advertising on JewishBoston.com.
Contact Rabbi Braham David, Director, Jewish Discovery Institute or call 617-219-9775 for more information about this program.
Introduction to Judaism Classes
Germantown Jewish Centre Philadelphia. An NCEJ grant enabled the Germantown Jewish Centre to expand marketing for its Introduction to Judaism class, using the Conservative Movement’s Goodblatt curriculum. For them, having one or two teachers worked better than a rotating set of speakers.
- Tip #1: Broaden the advertising and start outreach earlier.
- Tip #2: Create more intentional opportunities to plug the folks in the course into other synagogue programs and initiatives.
“For an aspiring convert such as myself, the Introduction to Judaism class has been an awesome and fulfilling experience.”
– Introduction to Judaism Participant
Upcoming Grant Program Spotlight: Holiday 101
Congregation Beth El, in Huntington, NY will be offering a program called “Holiday 101 – Celebrating Interfaith“, an educational 6 session program that will inform, teach and create discussion around several Jewish holidays and traditions. The program will facilitate conversations for interfaith households and help families embrace celebrating Jewish holidays together. Each session/class will be composed of learning about the holiday; as well as incorporate discussion of how to respectfully integrate those traditions into an interfaith household.
Contact Lisa Triacomin, Partnership Liaison at 631-421-5835 ext. 206 for more information.
How the JCC of Greater Pittsburgh used “Family Field Trips” to Connect Interfaith Families with Judaism
For the second year NCEJ gave a grant to the JCC of Greater Pittsburgh to enable it to expand marketing for its Family Holiday camps, geared primarily to intermarried families. There were 3 one-day family camps held in the fall, winter and spring of 2018-19: Shabbat on the Ark, Latke Bake and Take, and Shavuout. Each session consisted of numerous hands-on activities plus Jewish learning. The aim was to encourage the families to build a Jewish home and also engage with Jewish life in Pittsburgh.
The Model
- Each camp was advertised in the general (not Jewish) press (print and electronic).
- Each camp included family-centered fun experiential learning about a Jewish holiday.
- Each camp showed families how they could embrace Judaism.
- Jewish content was emphasized.
Program Summaries
Shabbat on the Ark immersed families with young children in the story of Noach and allowed them to connect with one another while experiencing a family-friendly Torah service. Families went on a boat ride, much like Noah boarded the ark. Most of the activities were animal-related, such as building animal toys out of paper towel tubes.
Hanukkah Latke Bake and Take took place at the JCC. Families prepared the latkes, played dreidel, and enjoyed potato latkes and sufganyiot. For safety reasons families were given the raw materials in reclosable bags to cook at home. Before leaving they all gathered together for music, singing and candle lighting.
The Shavuot at an Environmental Center camp provided an opportunity for families to learn about the meaning of a less well-known holiday, through Shavuot-themed PJ library books, station-based activities, and questions that related the receiving of the Ten Commandments to modern day rules.
Recent Grants
- Comunitat Jueva de Barcelona Bet Shalom, Barcelona
- Kehilat Birkat Shalom Israel
- Finchley Progressive Synagogue, London
- Jewish Learning Lab, Vancouver, Canada
- Sylvan YM-YWHA, Montreal
- Temple of Aaron, MN
- Temple Beth El, NY
- Congregation Ner Tamid, NV
- Temple Adat Elohim, CA
Articles of Interest
- Syncing our Words and Actions to be a Welcoming Community
- Serving Interfaith Families: Current Realities and Opportunities in Conservative Synagogues
- My Very First Shabbat: Looking Back
- Why My Introduction to Judaism Online Class Was So Valuable
- Brandeis University Cohen Center for Modern Jewish Studies: Life Stages and the Needs of Interfaith Couples, Beyond Welcoming: Engaging Intermarried Couples in Jewish Life
Have Ideas for a Program that Meshes with NCEJ’s Mission?
If you offer programs geared towards interfaith families and others who do not identify as Jewish, NCEJ might be able to help you widen your audience and connect more people to Judaism. For more details, visit our grant page, or contact Ellen Gerecht to set up a time for conversation.