Jewish Outreach Institute

Programs: The jewish outreach institute, now doing business as big tent judaism, equips key change-makers such as jewish communal professionals and volunteer leaders with the relevant skills, innovative strategies, and meaningful programs to better find and serve unengaged jews, unaffiliated intermarried families, and other traditionally-marginalized populations. Working with a big tent judaism concierge, these local leaders and professionals have the opportunity to meet and engage thousands of jews not currently participating in the organized jewish community. In 2014, in our three concierge communities, we facilitated nearly 150 programs and reached over 14,000 individuals with 30% of those considered to be in the target population. That means 4,200 jews who were not participating in the jewish community have now been identified and are being guided into participation through the big tent judaism concierge. Adding to the three communities from 2014 (chicago, il; houston, tx; and middlesex county, nj), in 2015 we will have concierges in dallas, tx; palm beach, florida; rutland, vt; san francisco, ca; and sonoma county, ca. In addition, big tent judaism staff members help communities throughout the united states and canada to create meaningful and relevant outreach activities through offering free programs and training in facilitation and best practices of engagement. The experts in the organization are frequently asked to speak at national conferences and often consult with individuals and institutions throughout north america. Big tent judaism is internationally recognized as one of the leading organizations working with unengaged populations within the jewish community.