How Grantees Are Connecting Interfaith Families to Judaism in New Ways
Many NCEJ grantees are using a combination of hands-on kits and innovative virtual programming to reach interfaith and new Jew-by-choice families during a pandemic. The kits give families an activity to do at home, even if they choose not to participate in the online sessions, and help to actively engage all participants.
The JCC of Greater Pittsburgh’s “Home to Home” holiday celebrations help create Jewish memories
The goal of the JCCPGH’s Home to Home programming is to “support and encourage interfaith families who are just beginning the journey to make Judaism a part of their lives.” In the fall, families received a welcome kit, and then picked up a “Jewish Celebration Kit” prior to each holiday. 60 families picked up at least one kit. Each Zoom session was 45 minutes. Danielle West, PJ Library Coordinator, reports that the sessions created opportunities for friendship, invaluable during a time when activities were limited. The JCCPGH is doing a similar program this season, focusing on Pesach, Shavuot, and other spring holidays. NCEJ is currently funding a variety of virtual programs for interfaith families, people in the process of conversion, and others who are exploring becoming part of the Jewish community.
Tips for a successful program
Communicate frequently to increase attendance.
Provide the link so that families who aren’t able to attend live can listen at another time.
Remind participants that the program is being recorded, and that it’s ok to leave if children are restless (helping to reduce stress).
Remind families to have the kits with them before the Zoom session starts so they don’t have to scramble to locate them during the session.
Use break-out session rooms so people can get to know each other better.
For more details contact Rabbi Ron Symons, Senior Director of Jewish Life or Danielle West, PJ Library coordinator.
Nashville Jewish Federation’s “Building Sacred Spaces” seeks to engage interfaith / intermarried couples in Jewish conversations
The goal of the one-year program, according to Adam Bronstone, director of planning, is to help these individuals and families “establish a Jewish identity and traditions in their respective homes.” NCEJ funding will be used to design meaningful content, including the development of kits containing ritual items such as candlesticks and cooking materials for sessions on traditional Jewish foods. The program will be marketed through social media and word-of-mouth.
For details contact Adam Bronstone.
The Jewish Enrichment Center of Chicago provides an entry point into Judaism for families with young children
Jewish Play Take Home Kit (credit: Jewish Enrichment Center Chicago)
JEC’s Family Jewish program sends play kits to participants, filled with developmentally appropriate play materials, craft projects, song sheets, and information about Jewish holidays and topics. The materials give adults the content knowledge and confidence to bring Judaism into their families lives, regardless of their Judaic background. For example, the fall series play kits offered family pretend play prompts for Rosh Hashanah (phrases to use with imaginary play), information on the origin of the Sukkot holiday, Chanukah candle lighting blessings, recipes, and more. Many people heard about the program through word of mouth or the JEC’s own website. NCEJ grant funding enabled JEC to advertise in several local online publications and on Facebook and Instagram, which brought in families they would not have reached through other means.
“(The) program has been an overwhelming success… the craft projects, authentic Jewish materials, and information for parents… encourage Jewish play at home and offer basic Jewish knowledge to parents.”
For details contact Sara Grossman, Assistant Director.
Planning Now for Fall 2021? Apply for a Grant from NCEJ
The National Center to Encourage Judaism has funding available now for virtual/hybrid programming that welcomes new people to Judaism – interfaith families, individuals considering conversion, others interested in learning more about Judaism’s beliefs and traditions. Our grants help connect people who do not identify as Jewish with Judaism, increasing their engagement with Jewish organizations. We support programs that provide an “on-ramp” to Judaism for people on the periphery of Jewish life. For more details visit our Grant Process page. Applications are accepted anytime.
Looking for Programming Ideas? We Can Help.
Our Virtual Programming page is packed with innovative ways to engage people online, such as supplementing screen time with activity kits. We have ideas for interfaith family engagement programs, conversion classes, holiday programs, and much more.
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.
Have a Program in Mind, but Looking for Ways to Reach More People? Check out our New Marketing Gallery
Our Marketing Gallery is chock-full of examples, ranging from Facebook and Instagram ads to print flyers, postcards, and brochures. See how synagogues, JCCs, and other groups have promoted their programs for adults and families—ranging from single-session to multi-month events, discussion groups to how-to workshops and hands-on activities.
Recent Grant Highlights
JCC Tallinn in the Jewish Community of Estonia
NCEJ renews Joint Distribution Committee grant for outreach programming in Latvia and Estonia
JDC’s programs at the JCCs in Riga and Tallin provide a welcoming Jewish home to individuals who have recently discovered they have Jewish roots and are interested in developing their Jewish identity. Newly affiliated Jews experience the richness of Shabbat and Jewish holidays through a range of on-line and in-person celebrations. This (pictured right) took place during a brief relaxing of social distancing restrictions, and people welcomed the opportunity to reconnect to their newfound community.
In the coming year a variety of virtual educational, cultural, and social activities will help connect people with Judaism, including pluralistic holiday and Shabbat celebrations designed for people of all ages, youth clubs to engage teens in Jewish life, community service and volunteer activities, and social activities such as Jewish cooking lessons, and virtual tours of Israel. Participants will be encouraged to ask questions and actively explore what being Jewish can mean to them.
Hillel CASE (Central Asia/Southeastern Europe) offered “Let My People Grow” Passover program
NCEJ awarded a grant to Hillel CASE for a Passover program. This year’s grant was used for holiday kits to enable participants to create a Seder at home, in addition to learning about Passover traditions online.
“We are sure that over the past months we have taken a special place in the lives of our students and we are confident that they are not alone but together with their big Jewish Hillel family”
Kolot Mayim, a small synagogue in British Columbia, receives grant to adapt Intro to online format
Kolot Mayim Reform Congregation used an NCEJ grant to adapt PowerPoint presentations, create break-out sessions, and research and develop visual materials that would help sustain participants’ interest online. The 20-week basic Judaism virtual class was preceded by a 3-week overview “Nosher’s Plate.” The evaluation noted several benefits of online learning, including allowing participation by people who would find it difficult to attend a class in person, such as people with mobility issues or who live a significant distance from the synagogue. Many of the students regularly attended online services and other synagogue programs. There was a high level of interaction with the rabbi, through emailed questions and regularly scheduled meetings.
Recent Grant Awards
- American Jewish University: Online Introduction to Judaism
- Congregation B’nai Amoona, St. Louis: “The Art of Jewish Living”
- Hillel Kyiv: “Introduction to Jewish Tradition”
- Israel Movement for Reform and Progressive Judaism: “Converting with the Family: Introduction to Jewish Holiday Customs”
- Jewish Federation of Raleigh-Cary: “Jewish Essentials” class
- Rabbinical Association Greater Kansas City: Community Conversion class
- Shaar Zahav, San Francisco: Judaism 101 and Journey to Judaism Discussion class
- Women of Reform Judaism: “Online Outreach” programming for women new to Judaism
Articles and Resources
And your God will be my God’: For one Jewish convert, the wait is overRabbi Finegold: JIY Jewish Do It Yourself: So You’re having a Jewish Baby
The Jewish Women’s Archive Podcast: “Mamalas: Building Jewish Families“
“Jewish Just Like You,” The First Children’s Book About Jewish Conversion, Out Now.
We welcome your inquiries. Please reach out to us at 301-802-4254, or contact Ellen Gerecht, Executive Director. To apply, visit our Grant Process page.
Top photo courtesy of Hillel Minsk