Virtual Programming

“Doing Jewish” Online

Recent grantees are supplementing Zoom with activity kits and other physical materials to reinforce on-line learning, build community, and strengthen connections to Judaism.

Here are some ideas that illustrate the variety of virtual programming (aimed at those exploring Judaism) being funded by NCEJ.

Introduction to Judaism classes

Bet Chaverim, WA received a grant for an “Introduction to the Jewish Experience” program that successfully switched to online in spring 2020.

  View 12-Session Class (PDF)

“In these difficult times, I wanted to thank you and the NCEJ. Jewish study will go on thanks to your efforts and generosity.”

Rocky Mountain Rabbinic Council (RMRC) Virtual Introduction to Judaism classes. Denver’s Intro class (ITJ) is a 28-session program offered 3 times a year for anyone interested in learning more about Judaism or who wants to explore conversion. To convert in the metro Denver area a candidate must complete the ITJ program. The classes are taught by a variety of rabbis, cantors and top educators so that students can learn from the many voices of Judaism. Students are also matched with a rabbi or cantor so that they can have some personal learning time.

As a result of the switch to an online format the program is drawing participants from a wider area, and more clergy/teachers are involved. Students can view the classes live or taped.

RMRC is trying several different approaches in an effort for students to get to know each other:

• Break-out rooms so that there can be more intimate conversations during classes.
• Having cohort groups from different synagogues meet in addition to regular classes.
• Forming groups of 4-5 students to do student presentations at the start of classes. (Students meet a few times before class to pick a topic and design a presentation.)
• Offering once a month optional pop-up classes for one hour based on student interests, led by one of the rabbis, cantors, or educators. These are more interactive than the regular classes—topics have included identity (“Who Are We?”), Jewish grief and mourning rituals, and the many uses of the mikveh (“Immersion Circle”).

Interfaith Family Engagement Programming

The Israel Movement for Reform and Progressive Judaism received a grant for “Converting with the Family: Introduction to Jewish Holiday Customs” for interfaith and non-Jewish families from the former Soviet Union. This virtual program introduces the families to Judaism in an engaging manner via Jewish holidays, including take-home kits to supplement Zoom learning. Program components include: musical Kabbalat Shabbat, the story of the weekly Torah portion and learning about Jewish concepts and customs related to Jewish holidays.

The grant covers advertising and marketing, program materials, and development and distribution of online materials and resources (including graphic design). Israel Reform plans on using a variety of marketing and advertising channels in order to reach new participants, such as social media, Russian-speaking media and press channels, and direct phone calls to potential participants. For details on the kits see “Take away kits” below.

Contact Tamar Roig, Director of Partnership Development, IMPJ, for more information.

Congregation Beth Israel Vancouver, received a grant for its “BI Neighbourhoods” program, which is designed primarily for interfaith and conversion families. This is the 3rd year that BI has received a NCEJ grant. To help combat Zoom fatigue, the congregation is supplementing its on-line programming with physical items for families. The aim is to minimize “deliver and forget” and strengthen the connection to the congregation.

The congregation put together a Pesach Kit for families, with haggadahs, a seder plate, a bag of plagues, kids kiddush cups, and other items. For the first time, there was a small suggested donation. As an extra add-on the kits were delivered right to their homes. One of the congregation’s rabbis hosted a zoom Seder on the first night of Pesach where everyone could use their items. Over 80 families purchased the kit. For details on the kits see “Take away kits” below.

For more information contact Debra Bulmash, BI Neighborhoods Coordinator.

Families pick up a “Jewish Celebration Kit” prior to each holiday.

Virtual Holiday Programming

The JCC of Greater Pittsburgh (JCCPGH) received a grant in August 2020 and January 2021 for a series of virtual holiday programs led by a trained educator, geared towards interfaith families and others who are marginally connected to Jewish life. One of the goals of the “Home to Home: Celebrations of Jewish Life” program is to “encourage families who have not yet made the commitment to raise Jewish children to engage in Jewish customs.” Families will receive a welcome kit and then pick up a “Jewish Celebration Kit” prior to each holiday. For details on the kits see “Take away kits” below.

“The need for Jewish Connection is stronger than we could have imagined.”

Here are some highlights of the “Home to Home: Celebrations of Jewish Life” programming (August 2020):

Shabbat: Challah Detectives – The Challah Detectives experience aims to bring families together to make their own challah while learning some of the lesser known traditions surrounding this weekly treat. Together families will mix their ingredients to make dough. While waiting for the dough to rise, families will use their detective skills to discover the answers to questions such as “What does it mean to salt a challah?” Families will also create their own challah cover to be used as they build their own Shabbat traditions. While the challah is rising, families will practice braiding techniques using Play Doh. Families will bake their challah on their own following the program.

Havdalah: Grateful for… Havdalah – Grateful for… Havdalah will bring families together to experience Havdalah. Each family will create a Havdalah kit and will have the opportunity to use it in a virtual Havdalah service. Throughout the program, participants will brainstorm ways to make gratitude part of a Havdalah experience.

Rosh Hashanah: Sounds of the Season – Sounds of the Season will use creative experiences to immerse families in welcoming the New Year. Learning the sounds of the shofar and practicing the notes will connect families to the global Jewish community. Building on the “call” from the shofar, families will create a wind chime of Intentions for the coming year. Once completed, this family project will serve as an audible reminder for the intentions set as a family. Finally, families will enjoy the sounds of crisp apples and sweet honey. Connecting the holiday to the sense of sound will build a rich memory for families to revisit throughout the year.

JCC Greater Pittsburgh Jewish Celebration Kit – Yom Kippur. Photo courtesy of Rabbi Ron Symons, JCC of Greater Pittsburgh

Yom Kippur: Uh Oh! Oh No! Reacting to Our Actions – Starting with a shared reading of “Oh No! George!”, families will begin to think about what happens with their individual actions. Our choices have an impact on others. What happens when that impact hurts someone else? How can we apologize and make amends? These difficult questions will be answered as families play with dominos! Children will build a domino chain and then based on action cards may have to send their dominos tumbling. This hands-on experiment will guide families through the act of t’shuvah as they repair the domino chain.

Sukkot: Guests in the Sukkah – This year guests cannot be welcomed into a sukkah. Families participating in the “Guests in the Sukkah” session will be invited to use a wall in their home as an indoor sukkah. They will be encouraged to fill their indoor sukkah with photos of family members and to share family stories throughout the holiday. Children will use art materials to create their own Super Sukkah Guests.

Chanukah: Donuts in the Dark – Shining a light on the determination of the Maccabees, families will be challenged to create a chanukiah using donuts, donut holes, frosting, and other edible treats. Once all families have completed their challenge, together as one community everyone will recite the blessings and “light” the chanukiyot using glow sticks for candles.

Here are some highlights of the “Home to Home: Celebrations of Jewish Life” programming (January 2021):

Tu b’Shvat Terrariums (January 27, 2021) – Tu b’Shvat is the birthday of the trees. The Tu b’Shvat Celebration will remind families of their connection to the earth and in particular to the land of Israel. Once completed, these indoor gardens will be a constant reminder of the importance of our natural resources and of the Jewish People’s connection to Eretz Yisrael. The celebration will conclude with a Tu b’Shvat kiddush of two kinds of juice.

Much like Jewish tradition teaches that we should plant trees not for ourselves, but for the generations to come, Tu b’Shvat Terrariums will plant the seeds of Judaism for the next generation.

Purim Hamantaschen and Purim Players (February 26, 2021) – The virtual Purim celebration will remind families of the bravery of Esther, the sweetness of hamantaschen, and the resilience of the Jewish people. As the celebration begins, the Zoom screen will be filled with costumed families. Together families will roll, cut, and fill dough to make hamantaschen while talking about the mitzvot and traditions of Purim. After adults put the hamantaschen in the oven, the JCCPGH will lead families in an interactive and participatory Purim shpeil. As the story is told, families will change their costumes to represent the characters in the story. The goal is to create a long-lasting, fun memory of Purim.

Would You Rather Passover (March 21, 2021) – This celebration is intended to help families prepare for the upcoming holiday. “Would You Rather”, is a popular format for ice breakers, conversation starters, and all-around amusement in which two equally unpleasant choices are presented and each participant has to make a choice and explain their choice.

For Example:
Question: “Would you rather swim in a lake filled with charoset or maror?”
Answer: “I would rather swim in a lake filled with charoset because I love the taste of all the things mixed together. Also, swimming in maror would probably burn my eyes and make me cry!”

During the celebration, families will create several “card containers” that will help mark key points in the Seder. The boxes will be filled with “Would You Rather” questions related to the Seder. Through this activity families will gain a deeper understanding of the elements, rituals, and food used throughout the Seder. Following the celebration, families can use the question boxes to add conversation and family involvement during their Seders.

Shavuot – Shoebox Sinai (May 16, 2021) – The story of Moses receiving the Torah is monumental moment in the story of the Jewish people. Families will craft their own Mt. Sinai, Moses, the Ten Commandments and other elements of the Shavuot story with items from the Shavuout activity kit.

For more information contact Rabbi Ron Symons, Senior Director of Jewish Life.

Virtual Pesach Seder

The Israel Movement for Reform and Progressive Judaism received a grant in 2020 for a 3-session Passover program for interfaith families from the former Soviet Union. They learned about the traditions and practices of Pesach, how to prepare for the holiday, and how to lead a Seder. In 2020 for the first time the model Seder was held virtually instead of in person.

In Spring 2021 programming focused on celebrating Tu b’Shvat and Purim. Each holiday offered experiential study, at-home kits with arts and crafts, traditional food and ritual items, and online holiday events.

Tikkun Seder Tu b’Shvat – The celebration featured special songs, Jewish study, discussion of the custom of having both red and white wine, fruits of the Land of Israel, assembly of fruit plates from take-home kits, and related themes and values.

As one participant said:

“I thought the Tu b’Shvat Seder was very well done. We had booklets and fruit for each blessing so it was as if we were right there as part of the community even though it was online.”

Purim – The program included a Megilla reading, festive feast, costume competition, Mishloach Manot (Purim basket) parcel delivery, and discussion of the value of friendship. The service and other elements of the Purim celebration were only for registered participants (who were all Russian-speaking interfaith individuals).

Contact Tamar Roig, Director of Partnership Development, IMPJ, for more information.

“We deeply appreciate the grants awarded to these programs by the NCEJ for this purpose and we have received strong positive feedback from families who feel more connected to Judaism and more educated as a result.”

Temple Beth El of Huntington, NY offered a “Jewish Holidays 101 – Celebrate Interfaith” program that went virtual for the final session. Each session consisted of an educational component followed by discussion about how to integrate Jewish traditions into an interfaith household. Participants learned how to observe Passover, including practical advice about celebrating Pesach during a pandemic.

For details contact Lisa Tricomi, Partnership Liaison.

The Jewish Enrichment Center of Chicago’s Family Jewish program offers materials and support for families bringing Judaism into their homes. The play kits are filled with developmentally appropriate play materials, craft projects, song sheets, and information for grown-ups about Jewish holidays and topics. The materials included support grown-ups of any background in having the content knowledge and confidence to play Jewishly with their children and also bring Judaism into their family’s life. For example, the fall series play kits offered family pretend play prompts for Rosh Hashanah, information on the origin of the Sukkot holiday, Chanukah candle lighting blessings, and more. The winter-spring series play kits offered information on the Shema prayer, recipes for making hamantaschen at home to celebrate the holiday of Purim, and art materials for decorating a matzah cover to use at a Passover Seder. Weekly online circle time included songs, stories, and play for the entire family, facilitated by an experienced early childhood educator. Click here to scroll down and view example kit photos.

Activity Kits – What Worked:

• Families particularly enjoyed the art-based projects (e.g., paper dyed matzah cover for Passover, flower crowns for Shavuot, and tzedakah box) and authentic Jewish objects (e.g., shofar for Rosh Hashanah and candlesticks for Shabbat).
• Some families used the play kits throughout the week to bring more Jewish play into their home.
• Feedback on the play kits offered insight into the types of materials that children and families enjoy using together, which will allow JEC to plan ahead for in-person programming.
• The informational parent resources took time to develop, but can be used again for future programs.

For details contact Sara Grossman, Assistant Director.

Activity Take-Home Kits

Many grantees are combining virtual programming with activity kits that are either delivered to homes or picked up by participants. Click here to scroll down and view example kit photos. Here are some ideas from recently approved applications:

Shabbat Activity Baskets

Holiday Activity Baskets

Example Kit Photos

Click pics to view larger

Rosh Hashanah Take Home Kit (credit: Jewish Enrichment Center Chicago)

Rosh Hashanah Celebration Kit (credit: JCC Greater Pittsburgh)*

Rosh Hashanah Take Home kit (credit: Congregation Beth Israel Vancouver: BI Neighbourhoods)

Chanukah Take Home Kit (credit: Jewish Enrichment Center Chicago)

Activity Kit from the “Home to Home” program (credit: JCC Greater Pittsburgh)

Tu b’shevat Take Home Kit (credit: Congregation Beth Israel Vancouver: BI Neighbourhoods)

Jewish Play Take Home Kit (credit: Jewish Enrichment Center Chicago)

Jewish Play Take Home Kit (credit: Jewish Enrichment Center Chicago)

Judaism Your Way – Outside the Box activity kit

Selected Articles

Please find articles and other helpful links for virtual programming on our resources page. Contact us for more program suggestions and tips. In some cases, we may be able to connect you with other directors that have run successful virtual programs.