Proposal for intermarriage among Jews, undated

PROPOSAL - PROJECT ON INTERMARRIAGE CO-SPONSORED BY JEWISH FAMILY SERVICE AGENCY & CONGREGATION NER TAMID Intermarriage is an important issue facing the American Jewish Community. This proposal responds to the following phenomena recognized by area congregations and national Jewish organizat ions: a. the high rate of intermarriage among Jews - according to the American Jewish Committee, the current rate is approximately 35%: b. the declining rate of conversion to Judaism; c. the lack of religious identification among intermarried fami lies. The basic goal of the project is to encourage and strengthen Jewish identification and involvement of intermarried families and their children through educating and sensitizing affected families and the Las Vegas Jewish Community as a whole to the facts, consequences and social/religious implications of intermarriage and conversion to Judaism. The project on intermarriage offers the Las Vegas Jewish Community the first-comprehensive community and family education which is specifically designed to strengthen Jewish identity and commitment among intermarried families and Jews by Choice. The project includes the following innovative features: 1. it acknowledges the fact that intermarriage among Jews and conversion to Judaism are realities and challenges to American Jewish life that necessitates a programmatic response by the Jewish Community. 2. its educational focus for dealing with the issues bjnt by intermarriage and conversion fills a gap in the program of Jewish education in Las Vegas. 3. the collaboration of JFSA with Congregation Ner Tamid to develop and provide an educational program on the effects of intermarriage assures that the socio-emotiona1 and religious issues are addressed in a well-balanced integrated manner. The target population for this project are Jews who are unfamiliar and/or unaffiliated with the organized Jewish Community (including both born Jews and Jews by Choice), interfaith couples and their families. Staff: Rabbi Sanford D. Akselrad William Feldman - JFSA Place Ner Tamid Budget $2, ,000 Jewish Family Service Agency will provide funding through vendor payments. All activities will be mutually decided on by the staff. Evaluation - Project will be re-evaluated after one (1) year with results reported to the Board.