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Return to JOI Newsletter homepage
The Newsletter of the Jewish Outreach Institute
May/June 2010
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| Dear Reader, |
In this issue of Inside JOI, we are thrilled to highlight the many ways you can partner with the Jewish Outreach Institute (JOI) to become an agent of change in your local Jewish community. First is our new Ambassadors Program, for those who have a passion for inclusion and are already involved in the organized community, to share outreach best-practices and excite others about bringing less involved individuals and families into deeper Jewish engagement. By serving as a JOI Ambassador, you become an advocate for inclusion and help make our community more welcoming for all.
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| The Ambassadors Program |
What is it?
JOI’s newest advocacy initiative, the Ambassadors Program, is  designed for leaders in the Jewish community who want to become agents of change. Ambassadors can utilize the free resources, programs and innovative outreach methodology of JOI to reach out to intermarried families and unaffiliated Jews. The Ambassadors Program will help spread the word of inclusion, change attitudes, provide awareness of those on the periphery, and bring more programming to their community.
What is the need for JOI Ambassadors?
The Jewish community is increasingly diverse. Families with a mixed religious heritage now constitute a significant percentage of our population, and we have grown to include more children of intermarriage/interpartnerships, GLBT, multiracial Jews, and Jews-by-Choice. Too often these traditionally underserved populations are left on the outside, wondering how to gain entrance.
That’s why we want to transform the Jewish community into a more welcoming and inclusive space. To achieve this goal, we created a program where individual community members can become the catalysts for change. We have been working to create a Jewish community where everyone – regardless of background or level of observance – can experience the value and meaning of Judaism. JOI Ambassadors have an opportunity to bring this message home and help us secure a vibrant and enduring Jewish future.
Who is an Ambassador?
A JOI Ambassador is someone who believes in the work of the Jewish Outreach Institute and is willing to dedicate time and leadership to advocate for JOI’s programs within his or her local community. JOI Ambassadors will transform their organizations and communities by understanding how to provide programs to serve the underserved, meet people where they are and join with other like-minded organizations to mobilize for welcoming. Ambassadors can also help spread the ideals of JOI by writing op-eds or letters to the editor of local Jewish publications advocating for inclusion, hosting in-home “salons” where JOI guest-speakers could present directly to the decision-makers in local communities, and encouraging their communities or Jewish organizations to open doors and welcome in those who may be on the outside.
How do I become an Ambassador?
If you are already an active participant or volunteer leader in your community, JOI will provide you with talking-points and materials to help you succeed as an Ambassador. For more information and to receive our FREE brochure, please contact JOI Project Manager Harriet Lewis at HLewis@joi.org or 212-760-1440.
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Getting Involved with JOI's Work |
Listserves: Join One of JOI’s Online Email Discussion Groups
If you are a mom of another religious background raising Jewish kids, or a Jewish grandparent with interfaith grandchildren, or a Jew-by-choice – we have a FREE online discussion board for you! All are safe spaces to ask question, get practical answers, and share experiences:
Outreach Professionals Network
JOI sponsors a FREE network designed to improve and increase communication among Jewish outreach professionals. JOPLIN: The Jewish Outreach Professional Log-in Network brings together Jewish communal professionals from across denominational and institutional lines to improve the way the entire North American Jewish community reaches out to those on the periphery. It provides on-line training, support, research, best-practices, and exchange of ideas toward the goal of further "professionalizing" the field of Jewish outreach.
The JOPLIN website and listserve are open to all who engage in or supervise the varied forms of outreach and inclusion, including Jewish educators, social workers, federated and communal professionals, clergy, volunteers, and lay leaders.
Big Tent Judaism Coalition
JOI is the managing organization of Big Tent Judaism, a coalition of Jewish communal institutions who strive to create a more inclusive and welcoming Jewish community. Membership is FREE and the website includes a directory of welcoming organizations for those who are looking for a local Jewish community.
Big Tent Judaism is an approach to Jewish community that takes its lead from the values and vision of our Biblical forbearers Abraham and Sarah's tent, which was open on four sides to welcome all who approach. Individuals and organizations that practice a Big Tent Judaism seek to engage, support and advocate for all those who would cast their lot with the Jewish people, regardless of prior knowledge or background.
The Big Tent Judaism Coalition connects individuals and households not currently engaging with the organized Jewish community to local institutions that will be welcoming toward them through inclusive and meaningful programs. It also provides professionals and volunteer leaders at Jewish institutions a unified voice across organizational and denominational lines to advocate for greater inclusiveness, while disseminating the skills and sensitivities needed to become a more welcoming community.
JOI’s Blog on Intermarriage and Inclusion
Everyone is invited to share their thoughts on JOI’s daily blog. Whether you agree or disagree with our position, the important thing is to keep the conversation going. And if you like what we have to say, we invite you to repost our blog entry on Facebook and Twitter!
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| JOI Boards of Advisors and Directors |
A number of boards help guide JOI in all aspects of our development and growth. Each has specific responsibilities that help us promote a more welcoming and inclusive North American Jewish community that embraces intermarried families and unaffiliated Jews. Board members have been invited to serve after involvement with JOI’s programs and mission.
Tamara Fish, Women's Advisory Board
I believe in boards. I serve on boards, including as Vice-President of Congregation Tehillah in Riverdale, NY. Well-functioning active advisory boards function as a testing ground, a sounding board for ideas and new initiatives, someplace to see if an idea will “fly."
JOI, engaged in some of the most innovative and out-of-the-box programming for interfaith families, generates new program ideas constantly. Dedicated to the principle that there is room enough for all in this "Big Tent Judaism," the JOI team works tirelessly and eagerly to see which initiatives will work, such as virtual conferencing, and how to improve existing programming, such as The Men’s Initiative.
For me, it is an honor to be a part of the Women’s Advisory Board, both to witness firsthand the dynamic JOI initiatives to promote Jewish inclusiveness and engagement, but also to be a part of the process of moving them forward. Adding strength to strength, as it were.
The best part, like the philosophy of JOI itself, is that no one does this work alone or in a vacuum. I am honored to serve together with such an energetic group of like-minded but extraordinarily diverse women on the Advisory Board, bringing our experiences as business professionals, spouses, entrepreneurs, children, African-Americans, siblings and converts to the table. There is strength in diversity. JOI knows that. This board embodies it. And from many voices and passions, a singular vision and direction emerges.
Board of Directors
Individuals who join the Board of Directors will have assumed an obligation to promote JOI, to guide its development, to oversee its management, and to ensure that it has the resources, professional leadership, finances and policies needed to fulfill its mission.
President’s Advisory Board
The President’s Advisory Board works with the President of JOI on issues related to running a non-profit. They offer guidance on issues such as finances, organizational growth, and the programmatic direction of JOI. Board members also monitor, evaluate and strengthen current programs with an ultimate goal of replicating successful pilot programs in numerous communities throughout North America.
Women’s Advisory Board
The Women’s Advisory Board is composed of volunteer leaders who share their thoughts and insights about all JOI programmatic and training activities, particularly in the creation of programs opportunities for women. Board members provide essential feedback about our programs by reviewing curricula, new program models and training opportunities.
Board of Professional Advisors
The primary role of the Board of Professional Advisors is to discuss and advise on new program models, focus on reaching new populations, and to evaluate how to deepen our impact in Jewish communities across North America.
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| Other JOI Highlights |
Save the Date for our 2010 Tribute Evening!
Join us on Monday, November 1 at the Harmonie Club in New York City where we will be honoring Meryl Frank, Ambassador to the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women and the women of The Mothers Circle program.
Cars-4-Causes
Did you know you can now donate your old car to JOI? We recently partnered with Cars-4-Causes, a nationwide charity that helps turn your old car, truck, boat, RV or motorcycle into a tax-deductable donation. Click Here to get started!
New Advocacy Campaign from Big Tent Judaism
The first principle of the Big Tent Judaism Coalition is to "Welcome All Newcomers." In order to help achieve this goal, Big Tent Judaism recently launched the "Full-Staff Welcoming Campaign." Every Jewish organization should make welcoming newcomers a priority, and this campaign helps guide organizations by developing and sharing free advocacy and training materials on welcoming best practices.
The Mothers Circle in the News
A wonderful article in the Baltimore Jewish Times titled, “How interfaith couples establish a Jewish family life,” highlighted the Mothers Circle and featured many Mothers Circle participants in Baltimore.
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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 who are not yet benefiting from all our community has to offer, 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.
The Jewish Outreach Institute is a 501(C)3 non-profit organization and contributions are tax deductible in accordance with the law.
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© 2010 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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