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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New International Grantees

We recently gave a grant to Project Kesher to help fund its “Global Jewish Women Celebration” in Russian-speaking countries. The program includes updating resources on the holidays and reaching out to Jewish women in Belarus, Ukraine, and neighboring countries.

In addition, we just funded a “Delving into Judaism” course at Finchley Progressive Synagogue in London. As part of the course the “delvers” will hear about the breadth of Jewish life at the synagogue, and have the chance to connect with active members.

Our newest international grantee is Bet Shalom, the Progressive Jewish Community of Barcelona. Our funding will enable them to expand their marketing and develop customized booklets for their Taste of Judaism course.

Looking for Funding for Programs Located Outside of the US?

If you operate internationally and offer programs for those with Jewish roots, or for people interested in conversion, tell us what you’re doing and how you think NCEJ can help you expand your audience. Give us a call or send us an email, contact Ellen Gerecht, Executive Director or call 301-802-4254.

New National and Local Grantees

SooJi Min-Maranda, Executive Director of ALEPH

The ALEPH Alliance for Jewish Renewal will be using an NCEJ grant to give out subgrants to groups in their network for programs geared to interfaith families and others who are interested in exploring what it means to be Jewish. Funds will be used primarily for marketing.

Mount Zion Temple, a new grantee in St Paul, MN, received 2 grants: one for a 3-session course entitled “Building a Jewish Home”, and another for a 15-week class called “Taste of Honey: An Introduction to Judaism”.

The Springfield, MA JCC received a grant for a monthly “Ask-a-Rabbi” booth. The booth will pop up in a public location for 2-3 hours, using a set-up similar to a “Peanuts” booth. The rabbis who staff the booth will vary in their approach to Jewish life in order to provide different perspectives, and the location will change so as to reach a diverse population.

Holiday programming can help you connect interfaith families to Judaism

Here are some programs we’ve recently supported:

Program: “5 Senses of Judaism”

5 Senses of Judaism is a multi-session program for families with very young children that focuses on 1 holiday each session. Each session includes 5 different activity stations. This child-led program allows families to explore Judaism in an experiential setting and learn about Jewish traditions and customs. —Temple of Aaron, St Paul, MN. Jorie Bernhardt, Director of Youth & Family Programming.

Program: “J Celebrates”

J-Celebrates is a series of experiential programs that engage and educate families about Judaism. A Family Passover Seder, hosted before the holiday, offers families the opportunity to learn how to host their own Seder. The goal of the program is to foster a strong sense of Jewish identity, and to facilitate, encourage and support a family’s Jewish journey. The objective is to create a pathway for families to be able to continue celebrations at home. —Westside JCC, Los Angeles. Erin Goldstrom, Development Director.

Program: “Unpacking Passover: Creating and Leading Your Own Passover Seder”

This is a three-part series of workshops about how to create and lead a Passover Seder. The program focuses on using Passover as a doorway into Jewish practice by helping participants customize the Seder, select from the wide variety of hagaddot available, etc., in order to make it their own. Participants will be provided tools, books, support, and encouragement to lead Seders. —Beth Shalom v’Emeth Reform Temple (B’ShERT), Brooklyn, NY. Faye Guskin, Trustee.

NCEJ is now accepting applications for activities starting Fall 2019

NCEJ funds advertising and other expenses for traditional classes such as Judaism 101 as well as less structured programs such as discussion groups, holiday workshops, and other events designed to attract people who are interested in learning more about Judaism.

For details visit our website or contact us: Ellen Gerecht, Executive Director or call 301-802-4254.

Want to Learn More?

To learn more about NCEJ’s activities and what we fund, click here to download our new flyer.

Photo above right, featured in Project Kesher – 30th Anniversary Announcement. Learn more at projectkesher.org.

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NCEJ is helping support The Joint Distribution Committee’s (JDC) programs to reinvigorate Jewish life in Riga and Warsaw. At JCCs in both cities, people who are new to Judaism or have just discovered their Jewish roots start to develop a Jewish identity and intermarried couples and families learn how to incorporate Jewish culture and heritage into their lives.

For more information about this program contact Sandy Katz, Director, Strategic Relations, American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee, via email here.

Conversion Programs in Iberian Peninsula

NCEJ is also increasing its international presence with a grant to The World Union for Progressive Judaism (WUPJ) to support conversion efforts in the Iberian Peninsula. The mission of the WUPJ is to promote a Progressive/Reform approach to Jewish tradition by strengthening Jewish communities throughout the world.

After 500 years in exile, the Jewish communities of Spain and Portugal are coming back to life. Many Spaniards raised as Catholics have discovered that they have Jewish roots—that they are descendants of Christian conversos (Bnei Anussim) who practiced Jewish traditions such as lighting candles on Friday night and abstaining from eating pork. Following several years of study, over 25 candidates have successfully converted to Judaism. With NCEJ’s help WUPJ will be able to expand its infrastructure and reach more people who want to learn more about Judaism.

For more information about this program contact Naomi Smook, Director of Advancement, The World Union for Progressive Judaism, via email here.

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