Planning Fall Programs? Check out our new program pages to see the types of programs we fund
Our new program profile pages are filled with examples of programs we have funded:
We give grants to local, regional, national, and international groups, ranging from small synagogues to large national nonprofits. We have provided funding for programs sponsored by JCCs/Federations, regional rabbinic consortia, and groups affiliated with the Orthodox, Conservative/Masorti, Reform, and Jewish Renewal movements.
We reimburse for marketing, program materials, security for in-person events, and other related expenses. For more details see our FAQs.
We accept applications throughout the year. Applicants are notified within 45 days. To apply go to our Grant Process page.
Reminder for Grantees: Save your Receipts!
We need documentation before we can reimburse for expenses. We reimburse only after a program is completed and receipts have been submitted (please hold your receipts and submit them in a batch). For details see our Reporting Guidelines.
NCEJ Supports Small Southern Jewish Communities
Institute of Southern Jewish Life receives grant for conversion and interfaith programming
The ISJL’s Rabbi Caroline Sim travels to small communities across the South
NCEJ recently gave a grant to the Institute of Southern Jewish Life (ISJL) for conversion classes and traveling holiday programs. The ISJL serves a 13-state southern region and employs a full-time rabbi who works only with communities too small to have their own full-time Jewish clergy-person. Over the years, ISJL rabbis have facilitated many conversions. ISJL will use NCEJ’s grant to seek out more conversion students through targeted emails, social media marketing, and possibly print materials.
“ISJL supports, represents, and introduces Judaism on these visits in a way that is accessible, joyful, and community building.”
– Beth Kander-Dauphin, Development Director
Some of NCEJ’s funds will be used to support ISJL’s holiday programs, such as the Passover pilgrimage, where ISJL rabbis visit small Jewish communities, and the friends and neighbors within those communities. Some conversion students began their journey to Judaism with these traveling holiday events. ISJL provides the program materials, such as haggadahs, that are accessible to people regardless of their Judaic background.
For more details contact Beth Kander-Dauphin, Development Director.
Temple B’nai Israel Monroe, LA offers a 1-session Intro every year
Temple B’nai Israel offers a free 1-session Intro session every year. Every time the class is offered about 6-8 people decide to take the Conversion Class. Many of them become active members of the congregation. This year Rabbi Judy Ginsburgh hopes to offer the class in person (with an additional cost for security). She plans on serving traditional foods such as challah, kugel, and chopped liver to supplement the discussion.
Advertising: The program will be advertised on Facebook, regional newspapers, local magazines, and on the synagogue website.
Distinctive Idea: Rabbi Ginsburgh will serve the food on Jewish-themed paper goods.
“We appreciate your continued support of our efforts to educate people in small town Southern America.”
– Rabbi Judy Ginsburgh
For more details contact Rabbi Judy Ginsburgh.
Interested in Offering an Intro Course? Here are Some Programs We’ve Recently Funded
Curious About Judaism? – Congregation Ruach haMaqom, Burlington, VT
Ruach haMaqom is a Jewish renewal synagogue founded by Rabbi Jan Salzman, who developed the 10-session course. She has converted over 20 individuals in the last 5 years. Most of the synagogue’s members are interfaith, so a strong focus of the class is those who are not Jewish but are working to create a Jewish home.
Students are introduced to Jewish history; the Torah and the other sacred texts; Rabbinic modes of interpretation; rituals and holidays; life-cycle events; mystical and other spiritual traditions of Judaism; ritual, culture, music, food and dance; anti-Semitism; Israel; and other topics.
“A 10 week course that will cover the basics as well as the fringes, so to speak (that’s a tallis joke).”
– Rabbi Jan Salzman
There is no charge for the course, but donations to the synagogue are encouraged.
Rabbi Salzman is considering offering shorter courses throughout the year rather than one 10-week course, to better meet the needs of the people who take her classes.
For more information contact Rabbi Salzman. For copies of her book list and other resources Contact Us.
Introduction to Judaism – Congregation Keneseth Israel, Allentown, PA
Introduction to Judaism Haggadah & L’chaim glass
KI offered a 6-session Intro class in the spring for students who wanted to learn more about Judaism and establish a Jewish home. The course was team-taught by the rabbi and a variety of Jewish educators.
Topics included the Bible and other sacred texts, the Jewish calendar and holidays, life cycle celebrations, Shabbat, antisemitism and the Holocaust, Zionism and Israel. Concluding right before Passover, the final class included a model Seder with instructions on how to prepare for the ritual meal.
A portion of the NCEJ grant was used to defray the cost of a security guard each evening the class was held. The temple’s support staff and guest speakers offered their services gratis, and KI provided free handouts and materials to enhance the content of each session. In addition, the program coordinator brought home-made refreshments tied to the holiday being discussed.
“The foods always get rave reviews and students always ask for the recipes.”
– Martina Obenski, Outreach Coordinator
The class cost $30 for the public and was free to KI members. Each participant received a “Goodwill Giveaway” – haggadah and a “Shalom” mug, imprinted by a local merchant.
Advertising: The class was advertised in digital and print media throughout the greater Lehigh Valley.
Program Content: Session Summary (PDF)
Ideas Worth Replicating:
- Giving out Shalom Mugs to each participant.
- Serving refreshments including sweets that enhance the topic material (such as Challah and babka for Shabbat).
- Providing haggadahs for everyone.
For more information contact Martina Obenski, Outreach Coordinator.
Reaching Out to People Post-Conversion
Judaism 2.0 – Congregation Har HaShem, Boulder, CO
Judaism 2.0 is geared to people who are interested in conversion or who have converted in the last several years. The free 8-session program is designed to build community connections, especially important in a time of increased isolation due to Covid. Many of the participants have already completed the local Introduction to Judaism class. Mentoring is an important component of the program.
“One of the greatest things we do is to accompany people on their sacred Jewish journeys. For those who are looking for connection, inspiration, comfort, and community, we have been a positive, open, inclusive gateway.”
– Rabbi Fred Greene, Congregation Har HaShem
The clergy is developing the curriculum. It will focus on Prayer, Liturgy, Inspiration, and “Owning Your Judaism.” The program was developed because the congregation saw a need to provide greater support to folks who have spent much of their time beginning a Jewish journey online during the pandemic.
For more more details on the program contact Rabbi Fred Greene.
Have an idea for a program but not sure if it’s something we will fund? Reach out to us
Scroll through our expanded website, and then contact us with any questions.
Have colleagues you think will be interested? Let them know we are funding programs — in-person, hybrid, and virtual. We look forward to hearing from you.
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