JRF NY/NJ Awarded Keruv Grant to Support Congregational Outreach and Growth

The Jewish Reconstructionist Federation is delighted to announce that the JRF of Metropolitan New York has been awarded a two-year grant from the UJA Federation of New York and its Synagogue Task Force, to work closely with New York area Reconstructionist congregations and support them to do outreach and to grow.

With this initiative, the Reconstructionist movement’s best qualities – a path-breaking emphasis on inclusivity, values-based decision making, community that embraces both tradition and responsiveness to the present – come together to reaffirm that keruv (to bring closer) means every voice does indeed matter.

The two-year systemic initiative will work with teams of outreach leaders from Reconstructionist congregations to chart a course and best practices in outreach, membership retention, and growth. Synagogue teams will include membership chairs, rabbis, executive directors, members of the executive committee, education directors, and others whom the congregation identifies.

The initiative will include:

• A kick-off event in February 2008
• Ongoing consultation and work with the outreach teams
• Regional programs for all JRF NY/NJ congregations on key aspects of marketing and outreach
• Consultants who will work closely with target congregations
• The development of electronic resources and networking
• Funding for joint publicity and greater visibility for Reconstructionist congregations

Currently, four pilot congregations are slated to participate in the targeted aspect of the work: Bet Am Shalom Synagogue in White Plains, Reconstructionist Synagogue of the North Shore in Plandome; the Society for the Advancement of Judaism in Manhattan, and West End Synagogue in Manhattan.

The Jewish Reconstructionist Federation is the first of the four movements in Jewish life to receive a UJA Federation of New York Keruv Grant. JRF has begun conversations with NJ Federations to invite their formal participation in the initiative.

JRF NY/NJ is presently searching for a project coordinator. All queries should be forwarded to Melanie Schneider, Director, JRF NY/NJ at jrfny@aol.com.

Susan Leon, Chair, Kehillah Kedoshah Initiative
Murry Brochin, President, JRF NY/NJ
Fran Heyman, Vice President, JRF NY/NJ
Janet Rosenberg, Vice President, JRF NY/NJ
Melanie Schneider, Director, JRF NY/NJ