An Outreach Committee Blueprint – First Step
April 23, 2008 - י"ח ניסן תשס"חI started working in the area of outreach to interfaith couples and families over a decade ago.During that time, I’ve come to appreciate the possibilities and the pitfalls of outreach. There are a few key principles that especially guide my thinking, which I want to share with you.
Active congregational outreach and welcome to the interfaith and those interested in study about Judaism requires a commitment by clergy and the lay leadership.
The process for creating a welcoming community, however, may require the efforts of a committee charged with the long-term task of assessing the synagogue’s current strengths and areas for improvement and implementing change.
Is your synagogue in need of an outreach, or Keruv, committee? Here is my list of the Top Five issues an outreach committee may need to address.
1. A synagogue outreach committee may address the stigma of interfaith marriage within the community. In the past, an interfaith couple’s commitment to creating an authentic Jewish home was suspect and the ability for a non-Jew to raise and support a Jewish family was questioned. However, the experience of many interfaith families has shown otherwise. A committee may address this stigma as well as the notion that welcome to interfaith families sends a message to young people that interfaith marriage is an acceptable and accepted option.
2. A committee must address the changing demographics of our Jewish community. Policy changes may be needed to provide for greater inclusion and acceptance of current, but often invisible, interfaith families. This includes revisiting longstanding policies such as the right of a non-Jew to hold a board position or teach in the religious school; the decision as to whether a non-Jew is considered a member of the congregation and listed on the membership roster; and whether voting rights should be accorded the non-Jewish spouse.
3. There is a need to find creative and appropriate ways to acknowledge and include non-Jewish family members in worship and ritual events. A committee may serve to distinguish between rituals that have excluded non-Jews based on synagogue tradition and a culture of exclusiveness verses hahachic principles that may or may not have informed past decisions. Meaningful participation can take many forms if there is a will on the part of the leadership to foster inclusiveness.
4. Classes and programs are necessary to provide for the myriad needs of non-Jewish members and those unaffiliated couples approaching the synagogue for support and assistance. In addition, those interested in conversion to Judaism also have special needs as they integrate into Jewish life. A committee, working along with other synagogue committees such as Membership and Adult Education, can identify educational needs and ensure that the proper staff and resources are provided to achieve these goals.
5. A committee may serve to promote the values and principles of interfaith outreach to all departments and committees of the synagogue. In addition, many fine resources are available through national organizations and publishers. It is important to be familiar with and take advantage of the wisdom and creative ideas that have been successful in other parts of the country. A committee may maximize such efforts.
STAR is proud to be at the forefront of such creative programming with Call Synagogue Home: Connecting Interfaith Families through Transformative Lifecycle Events. For more information on becoming part of a Fall 2008 cohort, please contact Karen Sobel, CSH Project Consultant, at ksobel@starsynagogue.org.
Karen Sobel
CSH Project Consultant
