NCEJ grantees are exploring creative ways to publicize their conversion programs. Highlights from some of the programs we have recently funded are featured below. Read advice and lessons from the program coordinators for helpful tips if you are trying to reach potential conversion candidates.

Innovative Outreach – Using Public Radio

“Welcome to Judaism” – Jewish Community Alliance of Southern Maine

Jewish Community Alliance of Southern Maine (JCA) offered an introductory course in Spring 2023 called Welcome to Judaism. It was an overview of Jewish life, culture, holidays, foodways, and history. JCA used a variety of curriculum resources to supplement the textbook (Arthur Green’s “Judaism’s Ten Best Ideas”). Additionally, particular attention was paid to the interests, questions, and concerns of attendees, which included learning about Jewish life in Portland and in Maine, interest in mysticism/Kabbalah, and navigating interfaith family issues.

The course began and ended with sessions at the JCA, with intermediate sessions held out in the community and at local synagogues in order to familiarize participants with all of the local Jewish institutions.

“I really enjoyed that we spent time going to different synagogues and talking with people from outside the course. That helped make those spaces feel a lot more open and it was wonderful to get to ask questions of a range of different rabbis.”
– student participant

Marketing: The program was marketed via social media, the JCA website and newsletter, local synagogue newsletters, and the local public radio station, MPBN.

For more information contact Molly Curren Rowles, Executive Director.

Innovative Outreach – Serving Small Communities Without Clergy

“Seeking Judaism” – Institute of Southern Jewish Life, Jackson, MS

The Goldring/Woldenberg Institute of Southern Jewish Life (ISJL) is dedicated to serving even the smallest Jewish communities in the South, and welcoming individuals into Jewish life and culture. ISJL employs a staff rabbi who spends much of her time on the road, visiting places too small to have their own local Jewish clergy. NCEJ gave a grant in 2022 to help ISJL expand outreach to potential conversion students.

In 2022 there were 8 completed conversions, significantly more than in prior years. One participant, featured in the photos below, explained she reached out to Rabbi Caroline Sim from ISJL, who guided her through the conversion process.

“One of the most important aspects of our outreach is the ongoing nature of it, how deeply we connect with our interfaith and conversion partners to continue Jewish journeys with them.”
– Beth Kander-Dauphin

For more information contact Beth Kander-Dauphin, Chief Strategy Officer.

Innovative Outreach – Advertise on Streaming Platforms

“Living Judaism” – Sutton Place Synagogue, New York City

Sutton Place Synagogue, located on Manhattan’s Upper East Side, recently established the Block Center for Jewish Exploration and Education. The Block Center’s 23-session Living Judaism course will start in Fall 2023 and use American Jewish University’s Miller Intro to Judaism curriculum.

Marketing: The congregation plans to publicize the course across all of its existing channels. In addition, the course will be advertised on social media, Hulu, and other digital platforms.

“We aim to grow our Jewish and congregational community and give participants the tools to feel at home as Jews wherever they find themselves.”
– Abby Johnson

For more information contact Abby Johnson, Director of Membership and Development.

Have an idea for a program but not sure if it’s something we will fund?

We welcome inquiries about our grants process. Reach out to us at 301-802-4254, or contact Ellen Gerecht, Executive Director.

Please tell your colleagues about NCEJ and let them know we accept applications throughout the year.

Top photo courtesy of Jewish Community Alliance of Southern Maine. Participants of their “Welcome to Judaism” class.

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Rabbi Alona Lisitsa

Rabbi Lisitsa began teaching her conversion course in May of 2014. The course has rolling admissions to allow candidates to join when they are able and then continue until they have covered all of the curriculum necessary to prepare them for conversion to Judaism. The enrollment of the classes varies between 15 and 40 students. At the moment, there are 20 adults and 4 children currently enrolled. Rabbi Lisitsa also offers separate lessons for children which are customized for their age.

Among the highlights from this year’s class is the story of Miriam, a descendant of conversos, one of an estimated 100 million descendants of Spanish and Portuguese Jews who were compelled to become Roman Catholic more than 500 years ago. Living in the Azores, Miriam owned a Torah scroll and other Judaica which she kept at her home. After a Jewish museum opened at the reconstructed synagogue at Ponte Delgada, Portugal, Miriam chose to donate the objects to the museum. As a member of the conversion class, Miriam was able to return to Judaism and become an active participant in the Jewish community.

New Projects Planned

The Jewish Progressive Federation of Spain has just been approved as a registered religious organization by the Spanish Ministry of Internal Affairs, which will allow Rabbi Lisitsa to plan numerous new projects. Among those is to create a series of Shabbatonim for empowering and educating lay leadership and prayer leaders.

Featured photo above: Rabbi Alona Lisitsa, Ph.D. (standing, second from left), a sponsoring rabbi for the conversion process for Iberia in the European Beit Din — featured in this Hebrew Union College article.  NCEJ is increasing its international presence with a grant to the World Union for Progressive Judaism to support conversion efforts in the Iberian Peninsula.  Photo of Rabbi Lisitsa, featured in The Times of Israel.

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• A post-conversion program
• Introduction to Judaism for Spanish speakers
• Interfaith outreach initiatives
• PJ Library subscriber get-togethers
• Expand the Circle discussion groups
• Family to family connections

* For grants up to $5,000, NCEJ will award a 20% additional bonus on applications received before December 31, 2018, once approved by the foundation.

Apply today for an NCEJ Grant — tell your friends in the field, too. Simply fill out our short two-page grant application: Download Application. See a special mention of our funding bonus in eJewish Philanthropy.

Sign up for grant news to get ideas for how you can promote Judaism in your community and learn more about all the innovative programs NCEJ supports.

Recent Grant Highlights & Updates:

Jewish Federation of Greater Indianapolis

The Indianapolis Federation recently advertised its innovative programming, supported by NCEJ. Each program was featured in the latest JFGI Connections magazine resulting in strong community interest and registrations. View a digital copy of the magazine here, where you can find the feature about Taste of Hebrew on page 13 and Finding Your Place in B’nai Mitzvah on page 15. Program descriptions can also be found below:

Program: “A Taste of Hebrew”

A Taste of Hebrew is designed to teach Hebrew decoding skills to both Jews and non-Jews who cannot read Hebrew, with a focus on parents of children who are in the process of learning Hebrew. The class is intentionally designed only as a very basic introduction to Hebrew in order to make it easily accessible and open to everyone. Learn More

View Program Flyer

Program: “Finding Your Place in B’nai Mitzvah”

Finding Your Place in B’nai Mitzvah, aims to create a place for non-Jewish parents to deepen their understanding of b’nai mitzvah and feel supported as their children go through this important life-cycle event. Special outreach to interfaith families who are currently synagogue members along with unaffiliated interfaith families who may be seeking b’nai mitzvah outside the organized Jewish community will be made to identify participants for this seminar. Learn More

View Program Flyer

Grant News

Many other groups throughout the country are developing new approaches to welcome individuals, couples, and families who want to become part of the Jewish community. Here are a few examples:

Congregation Bnai Amoona, St Louis was awarded a marketing grant for its Introduction to Judaism class. Last year Bnai Amoona received a NCEJ advertising grant through the Rabbinic Assembly. It has offered a wide range of courses for newcomers to Judaism for many years.

The Rabbinical Association of Greater Kansas City just received a grant for a post-conversion program that will provide support to new Jews by choice. This is in addition to the grant they receive every year to promote their introduction to Judaism class.

JCC of Pittsburgh received another grant to promote a series of family holiday camps, following up on the success of last year’s Chanukah and Passover programs which attracted over 200 participants.

Temple Aliyah, a Conservative synagogue in Needham, MA is a first-time NCEJ grantee for a program entitled “Exploring the Joys of Shabbat, Purim, and Pesach through Jewish Food”.

Have an idea?

Give us a call or send us an email, contact Ellen Gerecht, Executive Director or call 301-802-4254.

The post NCEJ Announces Bonus for Applications Received by December 31 appeared first on National Center to Encourage Judaism.

To apply for a grant, simply fill out our short two-page application which can be downloaded here. Submit your application at any time throughout the year. Notification is made within 45 days.

Anyone who applies by November 15 is eligible for an additional funding bonus. See a special mention of our funding bonus in eJewish Philanthropy.

Apply today for an NCEJ Grant—and tell your friends in the field, too.

Here’s what one of our grantees said about the NCEJ grant her organization received:

“It is clear that our sisterhood leaders accepted the (NCEJ) grants with a clear vision. These programs are able to be easily replicated and will serve as models for sisterhoods in the future as well. Your gift is truly one that keeps on giving.”

We welcome ideas for innovative programs, as well as proposals for events that can be replicated by others.

An NCEJ grant can help you attract more people to Judaism from all walks of life and backgrounds.

• Temple Beth Israel, Broward County, FL offers conversion classes for Spanish speakers. Two of the students who went through the conversion class are currently members of the synagogue board.
• West Suburban Temple Har Zion River Forest, IL just received a grant for an Introductory Judaism class for Spanish speakers.
• Women of Temple Sinai, Pittsburgh, PA hosted a “Pride Seder” program which reached women in the congregation who were studying for their conversion, as well as others, including many from outside the synagogue.
• Jewish Federation of Greater Orange County / New York – Interfaith Family Engagement Project. This initiative will offer monthly two-hour conversations for parents (with children welcome) focused on building a Jewish home.

Have an idea? Give us a call or send us an email, contact Ellen Gerecht, Executive Director or call 301-802-4254.

Here are a few of our recent grants:

• Welcome to Judaism Course (Jewish Community Alliance of Southern Maine/Portland): Working collaboratively with all clergy in the community, the JCA will offer five sessions over six weeks.
• Finding Your Place in B’nai Mitzvah: The Jewish Federation of Greater Indianapolis will hold a four-series seminar for Jewish/non-Jewish families in the bar/bat mitzvah stage to help them navigate some of the issues they may face.
• 2nd Nite Learners Seder for Conversion Students (Congregation Beth Tikvah, Toronto): This provided families an opportunity to celebrate Passover with others going through the same process.

Programs such as these can start participants on a Jewish journey. Here’s just one example:

“Our Taste of Judaism classes are a great way to introduce inactive and non-Jews to Judaism in a friendly, non-proselytizing atmosphere.”

Many students have continued on to other adult education classes. One Jewish retiree who had been unaffiliated took the Taste of Judaism® class a few years ago, got involved in the synagogue, and volunteered as an adult education chairman the past year. Additionally, a couple who attended the Taste of Judaism® class joined the weekly Torah study group.

In Other Grant News…

The NCEJ grant to the Union of Reform Judaism (URJ) was recently renewed. URJ will use the grant for marketing Introduction to Judaism and A Taste of Judaism® classes. The funds will be used to support classes held by individual synagogues and for social media and other advertising for URJ-sponsored classes.

The Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA) received an additional grant for 2018-19. This will enable more small- to medium-sized communities to receive sub grants for programming geared to interfaith families, including PJ library participants.

Want to Learn More?

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

Have a program idea that needs funding?

Give us a call or send us an email, contact Ellen Gerecht, Executive Director or call 301-802-4254.

The post Start the New Year With New Programming—Apply for a Grant Today appeared first on National Center to Encourage Judaism.

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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JHUB was launched in 2014 to provide a way for interfaith couples and families to explore the meaning of Jewish culture and values in their lives, and strengthen their connections to Jewish communal life in Greater Cleveland. JHUB is a central resource for interfaith families to connect to each other and to Jewish Cleveland through social gatherings, holiday experiences, and Jewish learning. JHUB is a joint program of the Jewish Federation of Cleveland and the Jewish Education Center of Cleveland. It is also an affiliate of Interfaith Family.

NCEJ Funds Enable JHUB to Widen Audience

Program: “Interfaith Outreach in Cleveland”

The NCEJ grant will be used to support marketing and advertising for programs designed for interfaith families including Family Jewish learning, Young Adult programming, and innovative Shabbat experiences. This will enable JHUB to reach out to a larger audience and increase participation in JHUB programs, with the goal of engaging more individuals and families in the Jewish community.

For more information about this program contact Rabbi Melinda M. Mersack, Director of JHUB, via email here.

The post NCEJ Gives Out Grant to Support Cleveland Federation’s Interfaith Initiative appeared first on National Center to Encourage Judaism.

The grants were publicized via email in the RA’s newsletter and other avenues as well as announced at conferences. Below is a summary of the key elements and special features of each grant awarded.

About the RA Subgrants

Program: “Spanish Language Conversion Services”

Temple Beth Israel: Broward County, Florida – Rabbi Hector Eppelbaum

Temple Bath Israel offers Jewish adult education and conversion courses to Spanish speakers. They are the sole providers of Spanish language conversion services in Broward County. The curriculum is based on the curricula of the Conversion Institute of the Rabbinical Assembly of America Southeast Region. They run two 20 session courses each year. As students progress through the program they become active participants in the congregation and the Jewish community. Two of the students who went through the conversion class are currently members of the synagogue Board.

Program: “Introduction to Judaism, With a Mentoring Rabbi” 

RA of Philadelphia: Goodblatt Academy – Rabbi Neil Cooper

The Goodblatt Academy offers an Introduction to Judaism program that runs for 30 sessions. In addition to attending formal classes, students are paired with a mentoring rabbi who they meet with monthly. As part of the program, the Academy sponsors a catered Shabbat dinner and encourages students to bring their families. Traditionally the Academy has relied on local rabbis to refer prospective students to them. Increasingly though, prospective students are finding information online, which leads them to the Academy’s website. NCEJ grant funds have been used to advertise the program with a more sophisticated website and place ads in the Philadelphia Inquirer, community newspapers and on social media and to defray the costs of the Shabbat dinner and childcare.

Program: “Introduction to Judaism, With Program Alumni”

Temple B’nai Amoona: St Louis, MO – Rabbi Carnie Rose

The centerpiece of B’nai Amoona’s efforts to encourage interest in Judaism is the Introduction to Judaism course. This year B’nai Amoona has begun to match students in this course with other B’nai Amoona members who have gone through the conversion process and can serve as guides and mentors. Regular meetings also occur with the Senior Rabbi and the teacher. Marketing for the class includes information in the monthly congregational newsletter and the weekly Shabbat Bulletin sent via email along with the regular ads in the Jewish in St Louis website; the NCEJ grant also covered the cost of materials for the course.

Program: “Keeping the Faith”

Toronto RA Region: Rabbi Adam Cutler

Keeping the Faith is an initiative designed to maintain and deepen the connection between recent converts (their Jewish partners) and the Jewish community. There is a weekly Mommy and Me program for recent converts and partners with babies; a convert and mother-in-law cooking class is currently being planned; and a bi-monthly learning is also about to start. Under discussion is a Shabbat morning ‘increase your prayer fluency’ course targeted to recent converts but open to all (which is better for the converts’ ultimate integration into the community). The Toronto RA Region will soon be launching a website.

Program: “Learners Seder”

Congregation Beth Tikvah: Toronto – Rabbi Louis Sachs

The local RA region runs an Introduction to Judaism class, to which all the RA rabbis in Toronto send potential conversion students. Many current students, and some past students, do not have a place to go for a Seder. A learners Seder was hosted on the second night of Pesach for individuals going through the conversion process or recently having completed it. Even for those partnered, many of their families do not do a Seder on the second night, again leaving them without a place to go and celebrate. Some find these Seder “hosts” experiences can be intimidating and leave students feeling negative about the experience. Therefore, subsidizing the cost of meals for students looking for a “learners” Seder with other individuals going through the same process helps. The grant covered the cost of haggadot, food, and staff, making it affordable for them to attend.

Program: “Second Night Adult Seder”

Congregation Beth Israel: Vancouver – Rabbi Adam Stein

Congregation Beth Israel runs a conversion program from September to June each year which is being marketing on Facebook and in local media (Jewish and mainstream). The Congregation also hosts three Shabbat dinners a year for the conversion class, as well as a second night adult Seder to encourage conversion students (and their partners for those who have) to attend. Scholarships are also provided for those who request them for the Shabbat dinners and the Seder.

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Grant Highlights:

Increasing Publicity and Expanding Programs

Some of the grant money will be used to fund three CCJ open-house breakfasts so that rabbis, Hillel directors, representatives from JCC’s and the Y’s can become familiar with the CCJ program and recommend it to interested individuals. Other money will be used for a printed brochure and additional programming.

The director of the program, Rabbi Bronwen Mullin, reached out to us to find out more about the types of programs that NCEJ funds. NCEJ is delighted to provide some of the funds that will help her promote CCJ to a wider audience. Email here for more information.

Got A Program Idea? Contact Us Today

We’d Love to Hear from You

If you have an idea for a program that you think NCEJ might fund please contact Ellen Gerecht, via email here, or call: 301-802-4254.

The post New NCEJ Grant to Support the Center for Conversion to Judaism in NYC appeared first on National Center to Encourage Judaism.

Innovative Outreach Program Highlights:

Program: “A Taste of Hebrew”

A Taste of Hebrew is designed to teach Hebrew decoding skills to both Jews and non-Jews who cannot read Hebrew, with a focus on parents of children who are in the process of learning Hebrew. JFGI will promote and sponsor a series of 6-week Taste of Hebrew classes throughout the community. The class is intentionally designed only as a very basic introduction to Hebrew in order to make it easily accessible and open to everyone. JFGI will hire the teacher(s), help design the curriculum, provide materials, and take care of publicity for the Taste of Hebrew programs. It is hoped that these classes will generate additional interest in continued Hebrew learning among parents and others in the community and lead to further adult Hebrew education classes being developed and offered in the years ahead.

Program: “Finding Your Place in B’nai Mitzvah”

Finding Your Place in B’nai Mitzvah, aims to create a place for non-Jewish parents to deepen their understanding of b’nai mitzvah and feel supported as their children go through this important life-cycle event. JFGI will design a 4-session seminar with a focus on the non-Jewish partner, with the Jewish partner invited to the final session. Special outreach to interfaith families who are currently synagogue members along with unaffiliated interfaith families who may be seeking b’nai mitzvah outside the organized Jewish community will be made to identify participants for this seminar.

These seminars will provide participants with a comfortable place to ask questions and express concerns. Participants will have the opportunity to request a b’nai mitzvah mentor (a volunteer member of an interfaith family who has already experienced a child’s bar/bat mitzvah).  Additional reading materials, resources, and community connections will be provided as well.  While this seminar is focused on b’nai mitzvah, it can also serve as an opening for participants to find out about other ways to learn more about Jewish ritual and potentially explore ways to learn along with their children.

Participants of the program will:

• Hear about other interfaith families’ personal b’nai mitzvah experiences.
• Learn more about b’nai mitzvah ritual and halachic considerations with regard to non-Jewish family members.
• Develop tools for communicating with extended non-Jewish family.

For more details about these programs contact Nina Price, Director of Jewish Education Initiatives, JFGI, via email here, or call: 317-726-5450 (ext.1245).

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