The 36-week course is taught on a rotating basis by Reform, Conservative, Reconstructionist, and Orthodox rabbis, giving participants multiple perspectives. The average class size is 20-25 students. Each student is required to secure a rabbinic sponsor from one of the local congregations and meet the conversion requirements developed by his/her sponsor. Students gain an introduction to Judaism and a reading knowledge of Hebrew; participate in Shabbat, holiday, and ritual observances, and make connections with individual congregations and the larger community.

Post-Conversion Program

In 2018-2019, the Rabbinical Association for the first time is offering a post-conversion program to help new Jews-by-choice become more familiar with Jewish traditions and assist them in connecting with local congregations and the larger Jewish community. NCEJ is pleased to be supporting this innovative program.

For more information contact Annette Fish, Administrator/Program Director.

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The Jewish Community Center of Greater Pittsburgh (JCCPGH) came to NCEJ in 2017 proposing a series of family holiday camps to reach families with children from 5-10 years old who weren’t engaged in the Jewish community. The goal was that by learning more about the meaning of the holidays, feeling welcome, and making friends, they would be more likely to embrace Jewish living. With NCEJ funding the JCCPGH was able to increase its advertising and expand its audience. The program was led by Rabbi Ron Symons, Senior Director of Jewish Life.

The Pittsburgh JCC Family Holiday Camps Experience

Program: “Hanukkah at the Carnegie Museum of Science and Snapology”

In November and December 2017, the JCCPGH prepared for Hanukkah at the Carnegie Museum of Science and at Snapology (a franchise that specializes in hands-on STEM projects using Legos and other building tools). At the Museum, families explored the meaning of light as they gazed into the Pittsburgh sky in the planetarium. At Snapology families learned how to make their own hanukiyot out of Legos and then how to light the hanukiyah.

Program: ‘Pirates, Perogies and Plagues’ – Preparing for Passover

In March 2018, families prepared for Passover through a program called ‘Pirates, Perogies and Plagues’. The JCC was the last group to rent the clubhouse of the Pittsburgh Pirates before opening day. One Shabbat morning was filled with explorations of the plagues represented in the Seder and how removing wine from our cups with each plague is equivalent to the ‘mercy rule’ in Little League baseball.

Over 200 people attended the family holiday camps and increased their connection to the Jewish community of Pittsburgh.

For more details about these programs contact Rabbi Symons, Senior Director of Jewish Life, JCC of Greater Pittsburgh, via email here, or call: 412-697-3235.

The post Reaching Out to Families with Young Children: The Pittsburgh JCC Family Holiday Camps Experience appeared first on National Center to Encourage Judaism.

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.