Transformimg Jewish Lives
Interfaith and Outreach
Al Ha-Derekh: On the Path
This article, published by the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism, provides a roadmap of approaches, suggestions, and expectations offering a sincere concern for and encouragement of non-Jews to become part of Conservative Judaism.
Allah is the Light: Prayer in Ramadan and Elul
A reflection by Rabbinical student Rachel Barenblat on the first Retreat for Emerging Jewish and Muslim Religious Leaders, organized by the office of multifaith initiatives at the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College.
- Articles
- Journals
Are American Youth Alienated From Organized Religion?
One of the most widespread and persistent stereotypes about U.S. teenagers is that they are alienated from “established” or “organized” religion and that this alienation is increasing. Much popular writing about adolescents assumes this view; however, empirical data suggest that this stereotype has little basis in fact. Correcting misinformed stereotypes about youth alienation toward religion might help to inform community and religious institutions how they might better serve young people.
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- Research Reports and Studies
Association for Jewish Outreach Programs
The Association for Jewish Outreach Professionals is an independent network which supports the men and women who have dedicated their lives to guiding Jews to a life enriched by traditional Torah values.
- Organizations - Professional Organizations
Family Religious Involvement and the Quality of Family Relationships for Early Adolescents
Religiously involved families of early adolescents, those ages 12 to14, living in the United States appear more likely to have significantly stronger family relationships than do families that are not religiously active. This report examines associations between three dimensions of family religious involvement (the number of days per week the family does something religious, parental worship service attendance and parental prayer) and the quality of family relationships. A Research Report of the National Study of Youth and Religion, Number 4.
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Family Religious Involvement and the Quality of Family Relationships for Early Adol ...
- Research Reports and Studies
Family Religious Involvement and the Quality of Parental Relationships for Families With Early Adolescents
Religiously involved families of early adolescents, ages 12 to14, living in the United States appear to have significantly stronger relationships between mothers and fathers than families that are not religiously active. This report examines associations between three dimensions of family religious involvement (the number of days per week the family does something religious, parental worship service attendance and parental prayer) and the quality of the relationship between teens’ mothers and fathers. A Research Report of the National Study of Youth and Religion, Number 5.
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Family Religious Involvement and the Quality of Parental Relationships for ...
- Research Reports and Studies
George Washington Institute for Religious Freedom
The George Washington Institute for Religious Freedom offers free online curricular resources based on primary historical documents, most notably George Washington's letter to the Hebrew Congregation of Newport, RI in 1790. The educators kit and ancillary classroom materials cover topics from US civics and the constitution to religious freedom and the separation of church & state. These curricular materials are appropriate for grades 7-12.
- Organizations - National and International Organizations
- Databases and Resource Centers - Curriculum Banks
Interfaith Families in Modern Jewish Life
The Reform Movement has been at the forefront of efforts to address the needs of interfaith and conversionary families. The present study was conducted to understand how such families function as members of Reform congregations and how congregations welcome them. A team of researchers from the Cohen Center for Modern Jewish Studies at Brandeis University systematically selected and then visited six Reform congregations. Three of the congregations were located in the Northeast and three in the Southeast. Within each region, small, medium, and large congregations were visited. At each synagogue, interviews were conducted with rabbis, staff, and congregants. All synagogue staff or congregational leaders, whose work relates to the participation and integration of interfaith and conversionary families, were included. In addition, focus groups were conducted at each synagogue with groups of in ...
- Research Reports and Studies
Interfaith Outreach Projects of the Robert I. Lappin Charitable Foundation
The Robert I. Lappin Charitable Foundation (along with several partners) sponsors various interfaith outreach programs. These include "Mothers Circle", a free program for mothers of backgrounds other than Judaism who are raising Jewish children; a free 25-week course called "Introduction to Judaism," designed for individuals in interfaith relationships wishing to explore Judaism as well as those considering conversion to Judaism; a Community Gift Basket for newly converted Jews, consisting of religious items of their choice, up to $150 in value; among others.
The Lappin Foundation also provides grant money to agencies to be used for interfaith outreach programs.
- Organizations - Foundations
InterfaithFamily.com
InterfaithFamily.com is an independent non-profit whose mission is to encourage interfaith families to make Jewish choices and to encourage the Jewish community to be welcoming of interfaith families.
- Databases and Resource Centers - Resource Centers
- Interactive Resources - Blogs
- Interactive Resources - Forums and Discussion Boards
Jewish Family & Life! (JFL)
Jewish Family & Life! (JFL), a fast-growing pluralistic entrepreneurial non-profit organization, is the world's leading publisher of original Jewish content online. Founded in 1996 by Yosef I. Abramowitz, JFL has expanded to include over 25 award-winning multimedia projects and relationships. JFL's home offices are in Newton, MA, with regional offices in Maryland.
- Organizations - National and International Organizations
- Databases and Resource Centers - Resource Centers
- Interactive Resources - Blogs
Jewish Outreach Institute (JOI)
The Jewish Outreach Institute seeks to empower and help the Jewish community welcome and fully embrace all members of interfaith families into Jewish life. They connect interfaith families with the Jewish community through the development of programs such as referral networks, community-based affinity groups and the Internet, as well as through models of direct service. They seek to be a resource and advocate, dedicated to raising awareness in the Jewish community of opportunities inherent in welcoming individuals, couples and families impacted on by interfaith marriage. They provide material, intellectual and moral support to Jewish communal institutions and professionals seeking to welcome interfaith couples.
- Organizations - National and International Organizations
Making Connections: The Los Angeles Bureau of Jewish Education's Concierge for Jewish Education Program
A working paper from JESNA's Lippman Kanfer Institute and The Berman Center for Research and Evaluation that presents a detailed portrait of one of the country's most innovative educational initiatives, the Los Angeles Bureau of Jewish Education's Concierge for Jewish Education program. The program is presented as an ambitious example of a range of activities that central agencies are undertaking to link educational silos in their communities. Making Connections: A Case Study in Linking Silos (3.13 MB)
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- Research Reports and Studies - Lippman Kanfer Institute Publications - Working Papers
Methodological Issues and Challenges in the Study of American Youth and Religion
Research on the religious and spiritual lives of American youth can involve methodological issues and challenges different from those encountered when studying adults, or when not exploring religious factors in the lives of youth. This report provides an introductory overview of some of those issues and challenges. It is written for interested researchers who are less experienced in studying youth and religion, as well as for consumers of research who are interested in improving their ability to assess the value of research findings. This is not a comprehensive, technical manual or textbook in research methods, but rather a general survey of some of the more important problems, questions, and choices that arise in the study of American youth and religion.
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National Jewish Outreach Program
The National Jewish Outreach Program was founded in 1987, by Rabbi Ephraim Buchwald, in response to the urgent need to address the issues of Jewish assimilation and intermarriage. Since its founding, NJOP has become one of the largest outreach organizations in the world. NJOP reaches out to unaffiliated Jews by offering them positive, joyous, Jewish educational opportunities and experiences.
- Organizations - National and International Organizations
- Programs and Initiatives - Non-Degree Programs
Religion and American Adolescent Delinquency, Risk Behaviors and Constructive Social Activities
This report demonstrates that religion among U.S. adolescents is positively related to participation in constructive youth activities. In addition, those who participate in religious activities seem to be less likely to participate in many delinquent and risk behaviors, as seen in the following areas: Substance Abuse, Safety and Danger, Crime and Violence, School Problems, and Constructive Activities and Supervision. A Research Report of the National Study of Youth and Religion, Number 1.
Download the report here: Religion and American Adolescent Delinquency, Risk Behaviors and Constructive Social Activities (1.17 MB)
- Research Reports and Studies
Religion and Spirituality On the Path Through Adolescence: A Research Report
- Research Reports and Studies
Religion and the Life Attitudes and Self Images of American Adolescents
This report, based on nationally representative survey data, shows that religious U.S. 12th graders have significantly higher self-esteem and hold more positive attitudes about life in general than their less religious peers. Of the 13 attitudinal variables this report examines, only one was not significantly related to some dimension of religion when controlling for the effects of nine other variables such as age, race, sex and family structure. A Research Report of the National Study of Youth and Religion, Number 2.
Download the report here: Religion and the Life Attitudes and Self-Images of American Adolescents (1.33 MB ...
- Research Reports and Studies
Robert I. Lappin Youth to Israel (Y2I) Adventure and Y2I Community Partnerships
The Robert I. Lappin Youth to Israel (Y2I) Adventure provides a free Community Trip to Israel offered in the summer of 2009. North Shore Jewish teenagers currently in their sophomore or junior year who live in the Foundation service area will have the opportunity to connect with their own Jewish identity and ignite the spark that helps keep them Jewish.
Y2I Community Partnerships:
The Robert I. Lappin Charitable Foundation is offering national matching grants for the fourth year in a row, for the summer of 2009, encouraging partnerships with communities across the U.S. to promote free summer Israel trips for Jewish teens. Jewish communities, which had 20 teens or less, who traveled to Israel in 2008, are invited to apply for matching grants for fully subsidized teen trips to Israel.
- Organizations - Foundations
- Events
Stepping Stones
Started in 1984, Stepping Stones is the only agency in the Denver/Boulder area that is specifically dedicated to welcoming, supporting and educating unaffiliated interfaith couples and families. Our goal is to offer a fun, interactive and educational opportunity for intermarried families to explore the world of Jewish life. We present Judaism in a rich spectrum incorporating music, cooking, and dancing with history, theology, and ritual.
- Programs and Initiatives