NOW MORE THAN EVER WE NEED INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS TO MEET THE CHALLENGES THREATENING THE JEWISH COMMUNITY

Transcription

1 NOW MORE THAN EVER WE NEED INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS TO MEET THE CHALLENGES THREATENING THE JEWISH COMMUNITY

2 NOW MORE THAN EVER! The Solution is in Your Hands Jews for Judaism was founded 32 years ago in response to cults and missionaries who entice thousands of Jews annually to abandon their heritage and families. While these groups remain active, the Jewish community is confronted today by more varied challenges. Religious coercion, peer pressure, anti-semitism, anti-israel propaganda and intermarriage top the list of challenges confronting our community. The entire spectrum of the Jewish community is struggling with these issues as they proliferate on campus and online. Jews for Judaism remains in the forefront of the battle for Jewish survival. Hundreds of thousands of Jews from all denominations, as well as non-jews, receive help from Jews for Judaism s innovative and successful services.

3 Jews for Judaism provides specialized intervention counseling and education programs that counteract religious coercion and promote Jewish pride. We offer video lectures and free downloadable literature on everything from Torah classes to Jewish spirituality to responding to missionaries. Because of a non-jewish girlfriend, I began a spiritual journey, searching between Jewish and Christian sources. Then, I discovered Jews for Judaism s online videos, and it became clear how beautiful and true Judaism is. Daniel H. SMART CHOICES provides resources and support to Jewish educators and teens. Driven by Jewish insights, Smart Choices builds Jewish identity and empowers students to apply critical thinking skills to today s real world challenges. Our high school students enjoyed and benefited from the SMART CHOICES critical thinking program. They were amazed to see how the five tools to critical thinking are based on Jewish insights. Rachel D. FOUR INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS # SMARTalks challenges and inspires Jewish Millennials to make positive choices through critical thinking and community engagement that relates to their Jewish identity. After college, I was looking for a way to keep connected to the Jewish community. I joined SMARTalks because it gives me the opportunity to start conversations with other Jewish Millennials about issues that are relevant to us. Jessica G. TheXchange is the Jews for Judaism Center, and a co-workspace for Jewish nonprofits, where it fosters a community of synergy, innovation, brainstorming and problem solving. Jews for Judaism s exchange is a valuable addition the Los Angeles Jewish community... I have seen over and over again how our conversations lead to better outcomes for all of our projects. Julie Gruenbaum Fax

4 2016 ACTIVITY REPORT Direct Client Services...4,982 (requests for help, information or referrals) Counseling Sessions Jewish Life Experiences (Shabbat and holiday program participants) Print Literature... 12,546 Lecture Participants...2,682 Unique Web Users...167,248 Web Pageviews ,233 Social Media Reach ,040 I appreciate the assistance you gave me to reevaluate my decision to leave Judaism for another religion. I respect how you responded to my often challenging questions in a non-judgmental way. I am now comfortable and growing in my Jewish faith. Robert C.

5 The Solution is in Your Hands JEWISH COMMUNITY BY THE NUMBERS 2 /3 1 /3 of Jews do not belong to a synagogue of Jews had a Christmas tree in their home last year 1 /3 1 /4 of Jews said religion is important to them, compared with 1/2 of the general American population of Jews do not believe in God RELIGIOUS COERCION TEEN DISCONNECT INTERMARRIAGE 85% 80% 65% 85% of Jewish students report that someone tried to convert them to another religion. - Jews for Judaism Survey More then 80% of Jewish teens fade from Jewish life following Bar or Bat Mitzvah. Boys leave at twice the rate as girls! Pew Research Center survey found that the Jewish intermarriage rate in the United States is 65%. We need to educate the net generation differently not so much because they are different, but because the world is different. Dr. Eric Brunsell, University of Wisconsin

6 JEWS FOR JUDAISM CENTER Rabbi Bentzion Kravitz, Founder Rabbi Zalman Kravitz, Director BOARD OF GOVERNORS Julie Bram Steve Bram Rae Finegood Thomas Smotrich Hon. Henry A. Waxman Ruth Ziegler BOARD OF DIRECTORS David Rifkind, Chairman Sara Cannon Bruce M. Friedman, Esq. Joey Goldstein Dr. Emanuel Gottlieb Daniel Shainberg Bennet Simon Alan Teichman Aric J. Zamel 2515 South Robertson Boulevard, Los Angeles, California

7 Jews for Judaism invites you to CELEBRATE 32 YEARS OF Keeping Jews Jewish Whoever saves a Jewish life is as if he saved an entire world HONORING YOU Our Superstar Supporter We request your participation in our 2016 No-Show Gala Extravaganza No need to show up or rent a tux or buy a gown Save on valet parking Avoid the Los Angeles traffic Save money on a babysitter Receive a chance to win valuable prizes including an $800 dinner package for your own private Gala RSVP now because the No-Show Gala maximizes the return on your investment in our life-saving services by minimizing expenses. Participate online at

8 DRAWING Donors of $100 or more will be entered to WIN! Dinner by Pat s & Two Cases of Wine Herzog Winery Package Shilo s Restaurant Gift Certificate Amram Ebgi Lithograph Abacasis Artwork Designer Sunglasses & Sports Watch Getaway at the Luxe Hotel, Bel Air LaGandola Chef Tasting $800 (value) $500 (value) $500 (value) $450 (value) $375 (value) $350 (value) $300 (value) $250 (value) Drawing will take place on Monday, January 9, 2017 Participate online at

9 YES! Now more than ever I want to help Jews for Judaism s innovative projects that keep Jews Jewish. Please accept my contribution. Please acknowledge my gift at the following level: q Benefactor... Sponsor thexchange Center... $25,000 q Chai Guardian... Sponsor Smart Choices... $18,000 q Guardian... Sponsor a SMARTalk Event... $10,000 q Patron... Sponsor Experience Jewish Life... $5,000 q Partner... Sponsor a Scholar-in-Residence... $2,500 q Chai Sponsor... Sponsor a Lecture... $1,800 q Aleph Club *... Sponsor a Day... $1,000 q Advocate... Sponsor a Counseling Session... $500 q Friend... Sponsor a Social Media Video... $250 q Associate... Enter our Drawing to Win... $100 q Supporter... $50 q Other... $ * Donors of $1,000 or more become members of our prestigious ALEPH Club and receive an invitation to a special recognition event at the new Jews for Judaism center. q Check here if you would like to find out more about the ALEPH Club. Donors of $100 or more will be entered in a drawing. See invite card or go online for prize details.

10 PLEASE PRINT YOUR CONTACT AND PAYMENT INFORMATION. Name Address City State Zip Phone Fax Cell Phone r Enclosed is my tax-deductible check for $ r Please charge my credit card in the amount of $ Acct # CVC Exp Date / Signature Date r I would like to help Jews for Judaism with year-round support. Please charge $ /month to the above card for the next months. Participate online at Respond ASAP to be entered in our drawing and receive a 2016 tax deduction. Make checks out to Jews for Judaism. Jews for Judaism P.O. Box Los Angeles, CA Phone info@jewsforjudaism.org Fax Your donation is tax-deductible as prescribed by law. 501(c)(3) organization #