Multiple Recipient of the Belin Award

Temple Jeremiah's Outreach programs have received the Belin Award four times.

The Belin Award recognizes superior programs "from around North America that demonstrate a high level of creativity, originality and replicability."

Temple Jeremiah's Outreach submissions are listed in the URJ's Idea Book as a resource for congregations throughout the United States and Canada. Congratulations to our Outreach Committee for receiving these coveted awards.

Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions or would like to get involved in Outreach.

Anne and Greg Richards
Outreach Chairpersons

Latest Outreach article

Outreach Archive (for past Outreach events and past Outreach articles)

Outreach brochure

What Is Outreach?

The Outreach Committee provides programs, resources and support that address the unique needs of interfaith families, Jews-by-Choice, conversion candidates and those who feel disconnected or under-informed regarding Jewish life and practice in the home or in the synagogue.

Our Outreach Committee:

• Welcomes interfaith families to take part in synagogue life, to learn more about Judaism and to raise their children as Jews.
• Welcomes and educates new Jews-by-Choice as well as those investigating Judaism.
• Inspires Jews to engage more fully in the synagogue community, especially those who feel disconnected or distant.
• Invites non-Jewish partners to explore study and understand Judaism, thereby providing an atmosphere of support in which a comfortable relationship with Judaism can be fostered.
• Assists young adults in strengthening their Jewish connection and identity.
• Educates and sensitizes the congregational community to be accepting of all who seek a place at Temple Jeremiah.

- Adopted by the 2004/05 Outreach Committee, August 30, 2004  

A Little History . . .

Reform Jewish Outreach was created in 1979 by the Union of American Hebrew Congregations (UAHC), now called the Union for Reform Judaism (URJ), as a positive means to respond to the rising rate of intermarriage and the increasing numbers of people choosing Judaism. The concept and programs have evolved to include parents and children of interfaith couples, as well as the couples themselves.

Who Is It For?

Our Outreach program originally focused solely on the needs of those in interfaith families. We soon learned that questions of identity, ritual, choices and practice appeal to a much larger group.

Outreach is very much about Jewish choices, about making them and understanding them. For choice is the essence of Judaism, especially Reform Judaism. The ideal Reform Jewish choice is an educated choice. To accomplish that, we must gain knowledge and insight, ask questions and seek answers. The Outreach calendar of workshops and discussions provides opportunities to learn and ask, share input and implement ideas in a friendly and comfortable environment.

Learning Opportunities

• "Almond Tree Discussions". Our book discussion in 2002 focused on noted author and attorney Alan Dershowitz’s book, The Genesis of Justice. Joel Greenburg and Michael Kamen returned September 21, 2003 to lead the discussion on Mr. Dershowitz’s latest bestseller, The Case for Israel, an ardent defense of Israel.

• "A Taste of Judaism", a three-part series on the basics of Judaism. Geared specifically for unaffiliated Jews, this program has been offered at Temple Jeremiah and numerous other sites throughout Chicagoland.

• Shabbat Across America, where Temple Jeremiah joins with synagogues across North America annually to describe the fundamentals of the Shabbat worship service.

• Passover University, an educational program for all ages that offered classes (and diplomas) on such topics as the Seder service, Passover cooking and the Haggadah. See the brochure.

• "Ask the Rabbi", designed for non-Jewish and Jewish families who have questions about Judaism.

There are also many other learning opportunities at Temple Jeremiah, including Adult Hebrew, Adult Education classes and Torah Study on Shabbat morning. And don't forget adult, family, and children's services on Shabbat and holidays! Refer to the Outreach brochure for more information.

For details on past Outreach events and Outreach articles, click on Outreach Archives.

Sign Up to Receive Free Jewish-Content Books and Music

The PJ Library

Click here to subscribe to an exciting new program for your child, age six months to eight years of age.

The PJ Library can serve as an outreach tool to engage families with young children. This program helps snure that all Jews feel a part of the Jewish community and are inspired to raise their children with Judaism in the home.

Join the Grandparents Circle National Listserve

The Jewish Outreach Institute has launched the Grandparents Circle National Listserve, an educational program for Jewish grandparents whose adult children have intermarried. The Grandparents Circle piloted in 2007 in Los Angeles, and is now in the process of expanding to new communities. The Listserve will allow Jewish grandparents from across North America who seek to nurture Jewish identity in their interfaith grandchildren to share their experiences with others in the same circumstances.

Susan Ardell Appointed to URJ-CCAR Commission on Outreach and Synagogue Community

Susan Ardell has been appointed to the National Outreach Committee of the URJ-CCAR. Susan served as Chair of Outreach at Temple Jeremiah for ten years and achieved recognition for numerous Outreach programs which resulted in Temple Jeremiah receiving the prestigious Berlin Award. For the past four years she has also served on the Regional Outreach Committee of URJ and has now accepted a position of national leadership.

The new URJ-CCAR Commission on Outreach and Synagogue Community will bring together rabbis, lay leaders and Jewish professionals from Reform congregations and institutions across North America to guide policy and develop resources in fulfillment of its mandate. Regional Outreach and Synagogue Community Committees will create and support local programs and contribute leadership to the North American Commission. The Union's regional Outreach and Synagogue Community professionals will help to develop regional efforts and work with us as we build a sacred community in our congregation and practice ahavat ger.

Susan's intelligence and wit endear her to all who work with her. Her commitment and dedication to Outreach are an inspiration to us all.