Below are some examples of how NCEJ has helped synagogues foster a warm and welcoming path to Judaism through short 2-3 session programs and longer multi-month classes. We’ve given grants for stand-alone series, discussion groups, hands-on learning, and much more.

Taste of Judaism® ad – funded in part by NCEJ.

Congregation Ner Tamid sponsors Taste of Judaism® every spring

In 2020 and 2021 the course was offered via Zoom.

Advertising: Ner Tamid advertises in local newspapers and via social media. Many people also sign up by word of mouth.

One participant from last year’s 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.

Temple Emanu-el Tucson Advertises Taste® Extensively

Temple Emanu-el Tucson (TE) held 2 sets of 3 2-hour classes via Zoom in 2020-2021. Each class normally includes literal tastes of Judaism, but in 2020-2021 due to Covid participants received recipes instead of food.

Advertising: The Union for Reform Judaism 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:

Marketing and Teacher Styles

• 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, Abby Limmer, 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.

For more information contact Abby Limmer, Taste of Judaism® coordinator.

Congregation Keneseth Israel, PA offers A Taste of Judaism® class every year

Martina Obenski, program coordinator, notes that Taste® is often a stepping stone into further exploration of Judaism. The congregation has found that 62% of participants register for their 6-week Introduction to Judaism class.

The NCEJ grant has enabled KI to market to a wider audience. In 2018-19 almost 60 individuals from various faith backgrounds were introduced to the core concepts of Judaism.

“As a result of these offerings KI has added 3 individuals to our membership roles. While this was not our primary purpose for marketing these classes, it is certainly a positive side effect.”
– Martina Obenski

For more information contact Martina Obenski, Outreach Coordinator.

Ideas Gleaned From Our Grantees

Richmond Kehilla’s “Interested in Judaism” online class featured a multimedia approach

Kehillah Richmond: “Being Jewish” banner (funded in part by NCEJ)

Rabbi Patrick’s “Interested in Judaism” program provided an introduction to Judaism education through materials available on their website, as well as weekly virtual classes. These classes combined people interested in becoming Jewish, as well as those wishing to learn more outside of conversion.

Students had the option to learn on their own using a variety of media (video, audio, etc), rather than relying solely on workbooks or other printed materials. Each week participants reviewed the “Being Jewish” learning materials available on the kehillah’s website, followed by an online group discussion.

“The NCEJ grant empowers a small congregation to do big things.”
– Rabbi Patrick Beaulier

Thanks to NCEJ, Richmond Kehillah has:

Brought eight new people into the Jewish peoplehood the last 2 years
Will be bringing in another 7 new Jews by the end of secular year 2021

For details contact Rabbi Patrick.

Temple Beth Shalom, Hudson OH plans follow-up to first Judaism 101 course

Temple Beth Shalom, located on the fringes of the metropolitan areas of both Akron and Cleveland, has about 100 family units. Rabbi Michael Ross has taught the course at previous congregations but this is the first time it has been offered at Beth Shalom.

“The grant enabled us to have a strong marketing budget which is essential to this program.”
– Rabbi Michael Ross

What Worked:

Hiring a Zoom stage manager was hugely helpful in coordinating the moving pieces each week, and coordinating communication among the group.
The in-person outdoor dinner and service at the end helped connect participants to each other and the congregation.

Rabbi Ross plans on offering a 3-session “Art of Prayer”. He also intends to add some contemporary topics the next time he teaches Judaism 101.

Compliments to Congregation Sha’ar Zahav San Francisco for hosting Judaism 101 and a Journey to Judaism discussion group year after year

Sha’ar Zahav, San Francisco – Judaism 101, Banner Ad (funded in part by NCEJ)

Sha’ar Zahav has been an NCEJ grantee for many years. Judaism 101 is a ten-session Introduction to Judaism course for people who are new or returning to Judaism and looking for a starting point to dive into Jewish learning or practice. In 2020 all sessions were via Zoom. The class covers everything from Torah to Israel, spirituality to ethics, through a queer-positive, progressive, inclusive Jewish lens with plenty of room for questions.

The Journey to Judaism discussion group is designed to engage individuals in meaningful discussions that furthers their Jewish education, and fosters the connection to other individuals in the community. The group creates a comfortable environment for exploration.

As part of the discussion group new Jews by choice tell their stories. The groups are facilitated by trained volunteer members of the congregation. The group is closed after the second session for greater confidentiality. Many individuals who convert at the synagogue have participated in the discussion group.

For details contact Congregation Sha’ar Zahav, San Francisco.

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 the page

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Grant Updates

Here are just some of the grants we’ve approved recently:

Synagogues

• Temple Emanu-el, AZ – Taste of Judaism®
• Sha’ar Zahav, CA – Judaism 101
• Greater Hartford Board of Rabbis, CT- Introduction to Judaism class
• Kol Emeth, IL – Succot program
• Rabbinical Association of Greater Kansas City – Judaism for Conversion Candidates
• Temple Israel, MA – Open Door program
• Keneseth Israel, PA – Taste of Judaism®

JCCs and Federations

• Memphis JCC – family program

National

• Union for Reform Judaism – renewal of umbrella grant for Taste® and Intro programs

International

• Schechter Institute Midreshet Yerushalyim, Ukraine – Conversion Program

Have an idea but not sure it meets our guidelines? Give us a call

That’s exactly what one of our grantees from a Midwest synagogue did and we just gave her 2 grants! Reach out to us at 301-802-4254, or contact Ellen Gerecht, Executive Director.

To apply, go to our Grants Process page. Applications are accepted anytime.

Articles of Interest

• Intermarriage increasingly leads to Jewish children, Pew study shows – by Louis Keene, May 2021. The Forward
• 10 key findings about Jewish Americans – by Becka A. Alper and Alan Cooperman, May 2021. Pew Research Center
• There are more American Jews – and they’re staying Jewish – by Leonard Saxe, Ph.D – May 2021. The Times of Israel
• The New Jews by Liel Leibovitz, May 2021. Tablet.
• Surprising Trends Driving Conversion to Judaism – by Mark Oppenheimer, May 2021. Tablet
• Converting to Judaism and Telling My Catholic Family – by Joe Grasso. 18Doors
• Expanding not diluting: Embracing Jewish+ families, by Alison Weikel & Rachel Weinstein White, August 2021. eJewishPhilanthropy

Please share this grant-giving notice with your colleagues, or pass their names on to us. We accept applications throughout the year.