“Start Here: Rosh Hoshanah” – Hillel Ukraine

The program was primarily geared to those with little or no prior Jewish experience, including interfaith families and those with Jewish roots who have never felt connected to Jewish life. It took place in 5 cities throughout Ukraine, including Kyiv, Odessa, and Kharkiv.

“We want curiosity about Judaism to become a meaningful first connection.” – Hillel Ukraine

Tetania Smotkin, Deputy Director, eloquently expressed the goals for the program:

As Ukraine continues to live through extraordinarily difficult times, people need places where they can come together, find warmth in one another, and feel that they are genuinely welcome. We want our Hillel centers to become such places — open Jewish homes where no previous knowledge, experience, or Jewish identity is required to walk through the door.

Rosh Hashanah, with its message of hope, renewal, and new beginnings, gives us a unique opportunity to create a first encounter with Judaism that feels warm, accessible, and personal. After 30 years in Ukraine, we want to celebrate by welcoming new people around our table and giving them the opportunity not simply to learn about Jewish tradition, but to experience what it feels like to be welcomed into Jewish life.

For us, this is what “Your First Rosh Hashanah” is ultimately about: opening a Jewish door, creating a sense of home, and making room for a new beginning.

The program was promoted through targeted social media, partner organizations, local community platforms, and the “Bring Someone to the Table” campaign, specifically designed to reach new people.

Hillel CASE

The Kharkiv JCC Helps Newcomers to Judaism Celebrate Holidays at Home

“Learn and Connect” – JCC Beit Dan, Kharkiv, Ukraine

The Kharkiv JCC will be sponsoring a 5-month “Learn and Connect” program for families with children age 10-17, primarily engaging participants who do not identify as Jewish or are not connected to Jewish life. At each weekly session participants will be introduced to Jewish traditions, holidays, and local Jewish history. The program provides an entry point for new people, fostering connection, curiosity, and continued engagement with Jewish culture and community life.

By creating positive first experiences and engaging both parents and children, the program encourages continued involvement and supports the development of a Jewish home connection. – Artem Okun, JCC Director

The program will be promoted through targeted social media, local online groups, printed materials in schools and community spaces, and partnerships with local organizations to reach new participants. The JCC also plans to produce a short-form video to promote the program.

Our program serves as a warm and welcoming gateway — an opportunity for people to connect with Jewish culture, values, and community, sometimes for the very first time. – Artem Okun, JCC Director

The NCEJ grant will enable the JCC to develop printed educational materials and brochures, supplies for each session, and interactive family learning kits that families can use to celebrate Jewish holidays at home.

NCEJ Gives Grants to Jewish Groups Worldwide for Programs that Welcome New People to Judaism

For over 45 years NCEJ has given grants for programs that educate, engage, and connect new people to Judaism, including interfaith families, people interested in conversion, Jewish-adjacent individuals, and others who want to explore becoming part of the Jewish community.

What We Fund:

NCEJ provides grants to established Jewish organizations, including synagogues, JCCs/federations, and regional and national groups.
We fund a mix of programs, from traditional classes to experiential learning; in-person, hybrid, and online; family programming and adult-only. Programs can be any length, from single-session workshops to multiple-month classes. All programs must have an educational component.
We reimburse for marketing, security, program materials, room rental, and related expenses. We place a priority on promoting to a wider audience.
Our program profile pages are full of examples of recently funded projects, along with advice gleaned from grantees. Visit our Program Profile page.

---

Help interested individuals in your community develop a Jewish identity – Apply for an NCEJ grant today!

NCEJ accepts applications throughout the year — apply anytime! Grantees may receive more than one grant per year. Apply now and hear back within 30 days. For more details see our Grant Process page.
Have an idea for a program but not sure it meets our guidelines? Reach out to us at 301-802-4254, contact Ellen Gerecht, Executive Director, or complete our Proposal Form.

---

Apply Now!

---

---

---

---

Sign Up For Our Grants Letter Today

Keep abreast of new funding opportunities by signing up for our newsletter: sign up for our newsletter.

Interested in Applying for Funding?

Have a question about what we might fund? Drop us a note. We welcome inquiries and offer a variety of ways to get in touch with us:

Complete our application
Fill out the proposal form

Send us an email
Reach out or call us at 301-802-4254

---

---

---

---

---

---

Top photo – Hillel CASE

The post NCEJ Grants to Hillels | JCCs in Ukraine Help Individuals Build a Jewish Identity appeared first on National Center to Encourage Judaism.

]]>

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.

The post NCEJ Grant-Giving is Growing appeared first on National Center to Encourage Judaism.