Big Tent Judaism

A Call for Hope in the Jewish Community

As a community leader and as a major philanthropist who “puts his money where his mouth is,” Edgar Bronfman is able to say and do things that others may not be willing to do, or able to do. But that is also what allows him to stand above the rest. That is why we at JOI are such big fans of his work, particularly his book Hope, Not Fear: A Path to Jewish Renaissance, which is being released today in paperback.

The book, written with Beth Zasloff, overflows with optimism for a bright Jewish future—providing individuals and communal institutions are willing to open their gates to those on the periphery and provide meaningful Jewish experiences for everyone who cares to enter.

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Advancing the Cause of Inclusion for Jews with Special Needs

JOI established the Big Tent Judaism Coalition as a way to bring together organizations across the globe that all shared a common goal: to create an inclusive and welcoming Jewish community. Specifically, this means doing more to welcome in folks who have traditionally experienced barriers to participation, including intermarried families, children of intermarriage, Jews-by-Choice, and LGBT Jews. While much is being done to help better integrate these folks in the Jewish community, one segment of the population is all too often overlooked, except by a dedicated few – Jews with special needs.

Writing in eJewishPhilanthropy.com, Rabbi Mitch Cohen, Director of the National Ramah Commission, believes this is something of a travesty. “Despite all of the 21st century political correctness in our discourse, public accommodations in our infrastructure and spirit of inclusiveness in our society, those with special needs… are still locked out of so many moments of meaningful involvement and growth.”

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What You Need to Know about Converting to Judaism

[The following article originally appeared in the Examiner.com. We invite you to Click Here and sign up to receive email alerts when new Examiner articles are published by Rabbi Kerry M. Olitzky]

While there are those who believe that the process of conversion should be as simple as a public statement of commitment (or as one rabbi noted “those who are Jewish are those identified by others as Jews”), there are others in the Jewish community who make it extremely difficult—if not impossible—for those who do want to convert to Judaism. This notion was made famous in a well-known episode of “Sex and the City,” when Charlotte made her initial overtures to convert. She was refused three times, reflecting the hide-behind excuse of unresponsive rabbis to refuse any approach by potential converts. When a recent convert to Judaism was asked why she worked with a particular New York City rabbi for her own conversion, she replied, “He was the only one who took my call.”

Converting to Judaism—or any religion into which one is not born—is not a simple decision. But it does not mean that the process to do so has to be encumbered. Instead, the Jewish community should do all it can to lower barriers to conversion and make it accessible to all. Ironically, the barriers—especially as anti-conversion pronouncement become more or less a weekly occurrence in Israel—are getting higher.

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JOI Recognized for Innovation and Impact in the Jewish Community

Every year, a list of the 50 most innovative professionals and organizations in the North America Jewish community is released in a directory called Slingshot, a Guide to Jewish Innovation. First published in 2005, we are proud to announce that JOI was chosen to be included in this year’s edition, which marks the fourth time we’ve been featured in Slingshot.

JOI was once again chosen to be a part of the directory for our innovation, impact, leadership and organizational effectiveness. This is a great honor, as it is a continuing recognition and confirmation of the steps we are taking to help grow and strengthen the Jewish community, particularly amongst unaffiliated Jews and intermarried families who are looking for community and meaning.

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Last Chance to Take JOI’s Survey

A few months ago, JOI developed an important and ground-breaking survey in order to assess the needs and preferences of American Jews. If you haven’t yet had a chance to take the survey or forward it to someone you know who might be interested, please click this link now.

We know that Jews come from a variety of different backgrounds, may have one Jewish parent or two Jewish parents, may participate in Jewish community activities, may practice Judaism at home or may not engage in any way with Judaism and the Jewish community. That is why we want to hear from all people who identify as being Jewish or having a Jewish background.

The survey is confidential and will take about five minutes to complete. At the end of the survey, you will have the opportunity to enter a raffle for a $100 gift card to Amazon.com. If you have questions before taking the survey or would like to receive the results of the study, please feel welcome to contact me at LOffenbach@JOI.org.

Don’t miss out on your chance to participate! The survey will close on October 31. Thank you!

JOI Director of Training Eva Stern Honored with Prestigious Award

We are thrilled to announce that JOI Director of Training Eva Stern has been named, along with David Cygielman of Moishe House, as the winner of the Young Professional Award of the Jewish Communal Service Association (JCSA) - the most prestigious honor for young professionals in the Jewish community. Eva and David were chosen for the award due to their “innovative leadership that stretched boundaries and challenged colleagues to further excellence,” said Howard Charish, co-chair of the JCSA Awards Committee.

Nominated by colleagues and recognized for their integrity, commitment and creativity, we can say with extreme assurance that few people work harder to ensure a dynamic and vibrant Jewish community than Eva Stern.

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