SYNAGOGUE STRENGTHENING PROGRAMS


RESHET: The Network for Synagogue Communication and Renewal

Reshet is a network to strengthen synagogues. Reshet creates opportunities for synagogue leaders to work on institutional change at their synagogue’s level of readiness. Reshet workshops and facilitation blend the study of traditional Jewish text with contemporary organizational practice. In the next two years Reshet offer Regional Reshet Workshops to explore and assess synagogue strength, will create Reshet Networks around the issues of Membership Engagement and Leadership Development and facilitate Reshet Teams to implement changes in individual synagogues.


Synaplex™ Philadelphia

Through Synaplex™ Philadelphia, JOP offers an enhanced form of the Synaplex™ initiative, initially launched by STAR: Synagogues, Transformation and Renewal, which focuses on strengthening synagogues by creating changes related to Shabbat participation. Synaplex ™ Philadelphia provides communal training, support, and coordination of this successful program that by 2009 will involve up to 26 local synagogues.


Synagogue Mentorship Program

Synagogue leaders can build on the exploration they began in the 21st Century Seminar to make systemic changes in their own synagogues. The 18-month Synagogue Mentorship Program has two phases: Leadership workshops are included to create a shared vision of synagogue renewal. All meetings and workshops include Jewish text study to frame discussions.


SYNAGOGUE STRENGTHENING & OUTREACH PROGRAMS


Making Connections Home Study Kits

Making Connections Home Study Kits are designed for families to explore Jewish topics and holidays at home. Each Kit combines thought-provoking articles by local and national authors, hands-on family activities, practical suggestions and coupons for products, events or services in the local Jewish Community. In addition to serving as educational materials for young adults, parents and the community-at-large, Making Connections coupons are a means of outreach, connecting people to the Jewish community.


Let's Celebrate!

Let's Celebrate! is a family education program centered around holiday celebration designed to help unaffiliated, or under-affiliated Jewish families with young children to take new Jewish steps toward connection and affiliation, particularly with synagogues throughout the Greater Philadelphia Region. Let's Celebrate! is truly a collaboration between JOP, the Kehillot and synagogues of each region.


One Book, One Jewish Community

One Book, One Jewish Community (OBOJC) is a project designed to bring the Greater Philadelphia Jewish Community together through shared conversations, discussions and events stimulated by a selected book and related themes. (OBOJC will have its kickoff in the Fall 2007.) Synagogues, agencies and other Jewish institutions will adopt the selected book as a vehicle for conversation, sharing and celebrating not only the book itself, but also the values and issues raised in the story. The OBOJC project will also serve as a means for highlighting gateway institutions and enhancing Adult Jewish learning in the Greater Philadelphia Jewish Community.
http://www.jewishphilly.org/onebook