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Return to JOI Newsletter homepage
The Newsletter of the Jewish Outreach Institute
June/July 2009
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| Dear Reader, |
Welcome and thank you for reading the inaugural electronic edition of Inside JOI, the Jewish Outreach Institute's bi-monthly newsletter. Here you will find updates on selected JOI programs and events, and news on the latest innovative outreach methodology. We hope you enjoy our "greener" newsletter, and we look forward to continuing to provide you with information on how you can get involved and help create a more welcoming and inclusive North American Jewish community.
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| JOI North American Conference |
 In the expanding diversity of today’s Jewish community, the notions of “who is in” and “who is out” must change. There are more intermarried families, adult children of intermarriage, multiracial, and GLBT (gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender) Jews than at any point in history, and unfortunately many feel they are on the periphery of the community. For this reason, the Jewish Outreach Institute (JOI) brought together some of the leading thinkers and communal professionals for a conference called “All Are Welcome: Transforming the Jewish Community through Outreach.”
If you weren’t there, here is your chance to read a couple of articles in the Jewish Exponent highlighting what took place and the provocative conversations that emerged, especially during Rabbi Irwin Kula’s Town Hall meeting. He explained that there is no reason to fight intermarriage as it “poses no intrinsic threat to Jewish life,” and challenged everyone to completely rethink their notion of Jewish community.
Click here to read the articles and see pictures of the event!
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| JOI Women's Summit |
 On January 29, 2009, JOI hosted the Women's Summit for a More Welcoming Jewish Community. We had hoped to draw in 75 women volunteer leaders and Jewish communal professionals to discuss the critical need of serving unengaged Jewish populations, including those from intermarried households. We reached our goal of 75 women and then some - we had over 100 women in attendance!
Our hope is this kind of conference is not a one-time event. Whether it's Jewish communal women professionals, youth leaders, or anyone else who sees themselves as vital to the growth of the Jewish community, we would love to work with you. Contact Kerry Olitzky at KOlitzky@JOI.org to learn how we can work together to engage more of the unaffiliated in your community.
Click Here to take a virtual tour of the Women's Summit! |
| Big Tent Judaism |
 Big Tent Judaism is an advocacy coalition for professionals and volunteer leaders from across the country. But it also serves newcomers and those on the periphery of the Jewish community by providing community connections and education. For example, if you are new to the Jewish community and you aren't sure where to begin, we host a Directory of Welcoming Organizations which includes nearly 300 organizations from across the continent that work actively to embrace the diversity of the Jewish community and welcome all.
Click here to find specific program information and smiling faces at an organization near you!
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| Listserves |
 JOI hosts numerous listserves, electronic mailing lists where subscribers can post messages and engage people from around the world in online discussions. All of our listserves are free and open to anyone who feels they could benefit from being part of the conversation.
From women of another religious background who are raising Jewish children to men who have chosen Judaism, click Here to find out which group is right for you. We invite you to join the discussion!
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| We Welcome Your Participation! |
Would you like to see yourself in the next Inside JOI? Please send us information about events in your community or articles of interest that relate to creating a more welcoming and inclusive Jewish community. E-mail newsletter submissions to Levi Fishman at LFishman@JOI.org. Submissions are subject to editing for content, clarity and style.
Thank you,
Jewish Outreach Institute
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| You Can Help! |
We believe "outreach" is about the organized community giving, not asking, so all JOI programming is free to participants. However, these programs still require resources. If you are already engaged in the Jewish community and consider it important to reach those on the periphery, we ask that you please support our work by making a financial contribution. Thank you for your generosity and commitment.
Check: Please make your check payable to the Jewish Outreach Institute and mail to:
1270 Broadway, Suite 609, New York, NY 10001.
Online: Please give with a credit card online at our website, www.JOI.org/help.
Questions? Please contact, Kerry Olitzky, Executive Director, at: KOlitzky@JOI.org or call 212.760.1440.
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© 2009 Jewish Outreach Institute (JOI.org). JOI is a national, independent, nondenominational organization dedicated to creating a more inclusive Jewish community toward all who would join us, especially intermarried families and disengaged Jews, by working to transform existing institutions and by creating new programs when necessary.
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