Building a Jewish home | Basic Judaism
NCEJ gives grants for programs that help people who are exploring becoming part of the Jewish community connect to others and learn about Judaism, including how to create a Jewish home. NCEJ also gives grants for post-conversion programs.
Journey to Judaism Discussion Group - Congregation Sha’ar Zahav, San Francisco
Sha’ar Zahav, San Francisco - Journey to Judaism, Banner Ad (funded in part by NCEJ)
The Journey to Judaism Discussion Group is a 2-hour, 6-session discussion group for those considering conversion to Judaism. This discussion group explores issues that arise for people who are considering, are in the process of, or have recently completed, converting to Judaism. Topics include questions of identity, community, and family.
The program 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.
Post-Conversion Offering Sha’ar Zahav plans on creating additional curriculum to offer answers to the question: How do I communicate my new spiritual journey with family and friends.
After ten years of annual groups the coordinators have learned that:
- A minimum of 6 – 8 participants is necessary for the group dynamics to be effective
- Of the six sessions, the group is closed to new participants after session 2 to foster the intimacy and confidentiality that makes the group work
- Continuation of no cost barrier to registration has provided diversity and allowed for folks to explore with minimal commitment in advance
- Beginning each session with the personal story of an invited guest who is a member of the congregation who has chosen Judaism is an effective teaching element
- The mikveh visit demystifies this important part of the conversion process
- Ending the discussion group with a Friday evening Shabbat potluck increases the appreciation of ritual in Jewish tradition (pre-Covid)
For details contact Congregation Sha’ar Zahav, San Francisco.
Program: "Jewish&" | "Jewish Foundations" course - Miles Nadal JCC, Toronto
Jewish Foundations Introduction to Judaism Ad (funded in part by NCEJ)
‘Jewish&’ is the MNjcc’s programmatic umbrella for initiatives geared towards individuals, families and couples with interfaith and inter-cultural identities. The 8-week “Jewish Foundations” course, taught by Rabbi Julia Appel was launched in response to increasing demand from the Jewish& 'family' to learn more about the basic tenets of Judaism. (Contact NCEJ for a copy of the curriculum)
The program was for everyone: "Whether you identify as Jewish or not, have prior knowledge of Judaism or don’t, come explore the foundational topics of Jewish living, including Shabbat, the year cycle, lifecycle events, synagogue, and spirituality."
Advertising: The main marketing avenues (given the current virtual reality world) were Facebook, Instagram, word of mouth, and promotion at other programs.
For details on the “Jewish Foundations” course, contact Rabbi Appel. For more on the JCC’s “Jewish &” programming contact Lauren Schreiber Sasaki, Downtown Jewish Life Program Coordinator.
The Open Door: Stepping into Jewish Life / Intro to Judaism - Temple Israel of Boston (TI)
The Open Door Program at Temple Israel (TI), a large Reform congregation in downtown Boston, is an entry point for those who are looking to explore, rediscover, or connect with Judaism and synagogue life.
TI offers an ongoing slate of introductory-level classes, special events and discussion groups. Each opportunity is designed as a starting point for interfaith couples, spiritual seekers, and individuals entering a new stage of their Jewish life. The Open Door at TI is a space for individuals, partners, and families in their exploration of Judaism, Hebrew, ritual, relationships, parenting, and more.
"Journeys to Judaism are vast and varied. Who you are and how you locate yourself in the Jewish story is a journey that all who are drawn to Judaism take, including those born into its heritage, those who choose it as their inheritance, and those whose legacy is love and who cherish the people in their lives who are Jewish.” - Rabbi Andrew Oberstein
Advertising: TI plans on using a print brochure, targeted google ad words, Facebook, and a post card mailing to promote the Open Door program.
Supplementary Kits and Shabbat Dinner Experiences: Each semester TI offers holiday “observation” kits and a Shabbat dinner experience to Introduction to Judaism students. One of the goals of the Shabbat dinner is to help build community and foster new relationships among the cohort.
TI sends each of their fall cohort members a Chanukiah, a box of Chanukah candles, dreidels, a book of blessings, and some treats (including chocolate gelt) with the purpose of bringing Jewish traditions and practice into the home for the holiday. Once the Introduction to Judaism students receive the kits, there is also an online gathering where one of the rabbis leads participants in candle lighting and singing the Chanukah blessings, and talks more about the meaning of the holiday and how to observe it at home.
For more information contact Shoshanna Goldberg, Director of Membership and Development.
Judaism: A Rainbow of Beliefs - The Jewish Learning Lab (JLL), Montreal
This 6-week program consisted of a series of 2-hour lectures. Each lecture was led by a rabbi from a different Jewish denomination, including Jewish renewal, Reconstructionist, Reform, Conservative, and Orthodox. The lecture series provided a forum for discussion, and enabled participants to understand each denomination’s principles, history, and rituals.
For details contact Rabbi Avi Finegold
Innovative Idea
JLL worked on creating a community over Whats App so that even though participants could not meet in person they now are part of a network of other families.
Have a Question? Reach Out to Us
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.