Synagogue Programming >> Schechter Awards >> Keruv
Keruv-Edud: Welcoming Interfaith Couples to Conservative Judaism
21st century Jewry faces challenges of our very existence as a people. Interfaith couples face significant challenges when considering religious life of the family. Their children may live in a home with two faiths or with no religious tradition at all. Synagogues must, proactively and creatively, offer guidance, direction, inspiration, opportunities and solutions for interfaith couples. This category recognizes creative efforts of congregations in reaching out to interfaith couples.
Describe, with support documents, your synagogue’s Keruv-Edud program since May 2009.
- Describe activities/programs of keruv-edud to non-Jews engaged or married to Jews.
- Does the synagogue host/sponsor a specific conversion class for engaged or married couples?
- How does the synagogue encourage involvement of the couple in synagogue life?
- Are adult education classes, beyond conversion classes, open to potential Jews by choice?
- Decribe the rabbinic counseling available to an engaged interfaith couple.
- What is the synagogue outreach policy to an engaged interfaith couple and to a married interfaith couple?
- Describe synagogue program for parents whose children are intermarried.
- Describe synagogue programs encouraging marrying within the Jewish faith.
- Describe if and how USCJ’s document Al HaDerekh: On the Path has been used in these efforts.
- Describe how the synagogue used material published by other arms of Conservative Judaism.
- Describe innovative programs initiated by the synagogue or affiliates which reach out to interfaith couples.
- What evidence indicates that congregational keruv-edud efforts are successful?
- Describe the follow-up support given a person who chooses to become Jewish to be sure there is a welcome into the synagogue community.
