At JOI, we believe one of the best ways to entice unaffiliated Jewish families to take their first step towards engagement is by offering free samples (it’s even one of the principles of our Big Tent Judaism Coalition). That can mean a one time event (like our Public Space Judaism programs), free tickets on the Jewish High Holidays, or even a year of free membership. Lowering these barriers can encourage people to walk through our doors and give us the opportunity to show them how the Jewish community can serve them and what we have to offer. This is the same thinking behind an initiative currently underway at Temple Solel in Cardiff, CA. Called “Taste of Solel,” the six-month project “offers newcomers a chance to try out – or ‘taste’ – all of the temple’s different programs and classes without formally joining.”

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