Since 2017 NCEJ has given grants for programs that welcome new people to Judaism in over a dozen countries, including Canada, Israel, Brazil, Spain, Great Britain, Ukraine, Poland, and Germany. We fund marketing, program materials, security, and related expenses for Intro and interfaith engagement programs. For our grant guidelines and other details see our Grants Process page.

An NCEJ Grant Enabled a Synagogue in Jamaica to Connect to the Center for Jewish Life at Beth David, Miami

“Jamaica Conversion Program” – Shaare Shalom Synagogue, Kingston, Jamaica & The Center for Jewish Life at Beth David, Miami, FL

The Shaare Shalom Conversion Program was a year-long program of Judaic studies for over 20 people who were interested in converting to Judaism. They were taught remotely by Rabbi Adam Gindea at the Center for Jewish Life at Beth David, Miami. Students met monthly, exploring the Jewish calendar and traditions, and participated in the weekly Torah study group and other virtual programming offered in Miami. Rabbi Adam also met one-on-one with the students as part of the conversion process.

“This has been such a remarkable experience to witness and facilitate.” – Rabbi Gindea

A formal conversion ceremony was held in June in Jamaica. The ritual immersion was in the ocean waters outside Kingston.

Watch the celebration videos & see the program photos here.

For more details contact Rabbi Adam Gindea.

NCEJ is Funding Conversion Classes in Ukraine offered by the Midreshet Schechter Institute

Family Camp – Midreshet Schechter, Ukraine

More people with Jewish roots in Ukraine are discovering their Jewish heritage, and some of them ultimately decide to convert to Judaism. Candidates interested in converting study with the Midreshet Schechter rabbi for one to two years, and take part in Jewish community life. The program is held in several cities in Ukraine, including Kyiv and Odessa. In preparation, students must attend a local synagogue for Shabbat activities at least once a week, plus conversion classes. The culmination of the conversion classes occurs at a 4-day retreat, followed by a conversion ceremony.

Building Jewish Identity – The retreat gives families – Jewish, intermarried, and those converting – the experience of a week together in the country, learning how to observe Shabbat and bring Jewish tradition into their homes, and helps them build Jewish identity as a family.

“Especially during this difficult time of crisis in Ukraine, belonging to a close-knit Jewish community provides a buffer against the travails of war.” – Michal Makov-Peled, Executive Director

For more details contact Michal Makov-Peled, Executive Director.

NCEJ’s grant to the Israel Reform Movement for a program for interfaith families from the Former Soviet Union (FSU) helped connect many to Judaism at an unexpectedly challenging time.

Jewish renewal for interfaith Russian and Ukrainian refugees and immigrants – The Israel Movement for Reform and Progressive Judaism, Israel

NCEJ gave a grant to the Israel Reform Movement in 2023 for a year-long Jewish renewal program for interfaith Russian and Ukrainian refugees and immigrants (who arrived within the past 5 years). The goal was to encourage engagement with Judaism through introductory classes and workshops, online activities, holiday and Shabbat celebrations, lifecycle events, and conversion (for those interested).

Hundreds of people attended Shabbat and holiday prayer services during the year, with a large segment coming from interfaith families. Many families learned about holiday rituals and customs by coming to community-based holiday celebrations.

“What I feel isn’t just about candles, or history; it is about the miracle of belonging, my personal Hanukkah miracle… My deepest and sincerest thanks to NCEJ for making all that happens at Kehillat Shirat HaGan possible, and therefore making my life here so much deeper and richer.” – participant

Thirty young adults in the program recently completed a leadership course, and learned how to lead a Kabbalat Shabbat service and facilitate Jewish life cycle events. The new leaders plan on publicizing the program via social media and other digital methods, to bring in more participants.

“This is a huge step forwards as now these program participants can actually pass on Judaism to others, like ambassadors, and can both practice and lead Jewish ritual independently within this unique community.” – Tamar Roig, Program Coordinator

Watch the video from the Seder that Rabbi Grisha held for his congregation in Ramat Gan and Tel Aviv here.

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

NCEJ helps support JDC’s Jewish renewal efforts in Central and Eastern Europe

Joint Distribution Committee – (JDC), Poland, Latvia, Estonia, Budapest and Hungary

NCEJ has given grants to JDC since 2017, for programs in Poland, Latvia, Estonia, and Hungary. In 2023 we helped engage young people with Judaism at Camp Szarvas, located near Budapest. Many Szarvas campers come from Central and Eastern Europe, and learn about their Judaism for the first time. Some are from communities where their Jewish heritage may have been hidden for generations, or where interfaith relationships are common.

“Camp Szarvas, where so many youngsters have discovered and fallen in love with their Judaism for the very first time.” – Eliza Prince, Director of Global Strategic Partnerships

The camp offers participants an entry to Jewish life, and gives them the tools to be Jewish leaders in their own communities. When they return home they are able to increase the involvement of their friends and families with Judaism.

NCEJ helped fund holiday celebrations at the JCC Budapest and JCC Riga

“With the support of the National Center to Encourage Judaism, this year thousands of people in Hungary and Latvia strengthened their Jewish knowledge and identity and connected to the Jewish community through the JCC Budapest and JCC Riga.”

In Budapest, Ukrainian refugees joined the JCC community for a reading of Megillat Esther and a Purim costume party. In Riga, at Passover families from a variety of Jewish backgrounds learned about the holiday and its traditions, played Passover-themed games, and tried out Israeli dancing.

NCEJ helps fund an Inclusive Outreach Seder at Temple Shalom, Manitoba

Inclusive Outreach Pesach Seder – Temple Shalom Manitoba, Winnipeg Canada

This past year Temple Shalom, Manitoba received an unprecedented number of inquiries from people who wanted to learn more about Judaism. In April the congregation held an “Inclusive Outreach” 2nd night Seder. It was geared towards people attending a Seder for the first time including recent Jews by Choice and those considering journeying into Judaism. Everyone who wanted to come was welcomed. Everything that was sung or said in Hebrew had the accompanying transliteration and translation to make it accessible to all.

For more information contact Sherry Wolfe Elazar, Jewish Learning Coordinator.

Top photo courtesy of Shaare Shalom Synagogue, Jamaica.

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