Outreach
	You too must love the stranger, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt. Deuteronomy 10:19 Let your house be open wide. Pirke Avot 1:5 WHAT is Outreach Outreach is the name for the Temple Adat Elohim's and the Reform community's commitment to actively welcoming all who are new to Judaism, returning to Judaism, those in interfaith relationships, and those simply interested in Judaism. Outreach activities center on the mitzvah of ahavat ger, loving the stranger-anyone who feels distanced from God, Torah and Israel. Outreach provides resources to help welcome and integrate a diversity of Jews and their families-interfaith and inter-racial couples, new Jews and seekers, Jews of color, gay and lesbian individuals and families, single adults and blended families, rich and poor, young and old and in between, women and men.  Outreach assures that every stranger's voice is heard. For Information about below Programs Call the Temple Office Interfaith Couples         Introduction to Judaism           Parents of Interfaith Couples A Taste of Judaism: Are You Curious               Let’s Do Something Jewish Internet Resources       Recommended Reading Interfaith Couples Groups (also known as "Yours, Mine and Ours," "Times and Seasons," "Let's Talk," or "Opening Doors") offer a place for couples to meet one another and, under the guidance of a trained facilitator, to explore common issues. In an 8 week series, couples discuss such questions as how to raise children, how to negotiate holidays and family life-cycle events, and even what role they want religion to play in their lives. Introduction to Judaism A hands-on course that introduces beginners to the basics of Jewish thought and practice. The class runs 18 and presents a mix of study, discussion and practical experiences designed for all interested in exploring a Jewish life for themselves-interfaith couples, non-Jews considering conversion, and Jews looking for adult-level basics. Topics include Jewish holidays and life cycle events, theology and prayer, Israel, history and Hebrew. Temple Adat Elohim offers enrichment activities including a tour of the local mikveh, a tour at the Skirball Cultural Center, a tour of Mt Sinai in Simi Valley, a cooking activity, and attendance at 3 Shabbat Services as a group with a trained Outreach Fellow. Parents of Interfaith Couples Groups Is your child intermarrying? Discussion programs for Jewish parents with intermarried children are available. With the guidance of trained facilitators, participants explore common concerns, including approaches to communication and grandparenting in an interfaith family. A Taste of Judaism: Are You Curious? A Taste of Judaism: Are You Curious? is a free, 3-session class for beginners -- Jewish or not -- that explores the topics of Jewish spirituality, ethics and community designed for unaffiliated Jews, non-Jews, intermarried couples and all searching for an entry into Jewish life. Let’s Do Something Jewish Celebrations! Let's Learn Together is a class for anyone who wants to learn how to do Jewish celebrations in the home. The class uses Celebrations! A Parent's Guide to the Holidays as the course guide, and covers the holidays of Shabbat, Rosh Hashana, Yom Kippur, Sukkot, Simcha Torah, Hanukkah, TuB'Shevat, Purim, Passover, and Shavuot. The class provides a comfortable, safe atmosphere to learn new skills for at home celebrations of the Jewish holidays. Internet Resources: Temple Adat Elohim High Holy Days Brochure Creative Outreach Service clickonJudaism.org SynagogueMatch.org URJ Outreach Web site RECOMMENDED READING: OUTREACH BIBLIOGRAPHY Dealing with interfaith issues can be difficult at times. And, finding relevant information and resources to help you through the matter can also be a challenge. Therefore, we have compiled the following list of resources that may help you begin the journey for answers. Topics include: Conversion / Choosing Judaism Berkowitz, Rabbi Allan L., and Moskovitz, Patti. Embracing the Covenant. Jewish Lights Publishing, 1996. Diamant, Anita. Choosing a Jewish Life. Schocken Books Inc., 1998. Dubner, Stephen J. Turbulent Souls. William Morrow & Co., 1999. Epstein, Lawrence J. Questions and Answers on Conversion to Judaism. Jason Aronson, Inc., 1998. Epstein, Lawrence J. Readings on Conversion to Judaism. Jason Aronson, Inc., 1995. Homolka, Walter; Jacob, Walter and Seidel, Esther. Not By Birth Alone- Conversion to Judaism. Cassell, 1997. Kessel, Barbara. Suddenly Jewish. University Press, 2000. Kling, Simcha, revised by Carl M. Perkins. Embracing Judaism. The Rabbinical Assembly, 1999. Kukoff, Lydia. Choosing Judaism. UAHC Press, 1981. Lamm, Maurice. Becoming a Jew. Jonathan David Publishers, Inc., 1991. Lester, Julius. Lovesong: Becoming a Jew. Henry Holt & Company, 1995. McClain, Ellen Jaffe. Embracing the Stranger. Basic Books Inc.,1995. Myrowitz, Catherine Hall. Finding a Home for the Soul. Jason Aronson, Inc., 1995. Romanoff, Lena, with Hostein, Lisa. Your People, My People: Finding Acceptance and Fulfillment as a Jew by Choice. The Jewish Publication Society, 1990.   Intermarriage Cowan, Paul with Cowan, Rachel. Mixed Blessings: Overcoming the Stumbling Blocks in an Interfaith Marriage. Penguin Books, Inc., 1989. Friedland, Ronnie, and Case, Edmund, editors. The Guide to Jewish Interfaith Family Life: An InterfaithFamily.com Handbook. Jewish Lights Publishing, 2001. Glaser, Gabrielle. Strangers to the Tribe. Houghton Mifflin Co., 1997. Hyman, Meryl. "Who Is a Jew?" Jewish Lights Publishing, Woodstock, VT, 1998. Jacobs, Rabbi Sidney J. and Betty J. 122 Clues for Jews Whose Children Intermarry. Jacobs Ladder Publications, Culver City, CA, 1988. King, Andrea. If I'm Jewish and You're Christian, What Are the Kids? UAHC Press, 1993. Petsonk, Judy, and Remsen, Jim. The Intermarriage Handbook: A Guide for Jews and Christians. Arbor House Publishing Co., William Morrow Co. Inc., 1991. Schneider, Susan Weidman. Intermarriage: The Challenge of Living With Differences Between Christians and Jews. The Free Press, Macmillan Publishing Co., Inc., 1989.   Introduction to Judaism and Jewish Living Catalano, Rosann; Sandmel, David; and Leighton, Christopher, editors. Irreconcilable Differences? A Learning Resource for Jews and Christians. Westview Press, 2001. Cohen, Henry. What's Special about Judaism? Ex Libris, 2001. Diamant, Anita, and Cooper, Howard. Living a Jewish Life. HarperPerennial, 1996. Einstein, Rabbi Stephen J. and Kukoff, Lydia. Every Person's Guide to Judaism. UAHC Press, 1989. Hertzberg, Arthur, and Hirt-Manheimer, Aron. Jews: The Essence and Character of a People. HarperSanFrancisco, 1998. Heschel, Abraham. The Sabbath. Farrar, Straus & Giroux, 1996. Jacobs, Rabbi Sidney and Betty J. Clues About Jews For People Who Aren't. Jacobs Ladder Publications, 1985. Kertzer, Rabbi Morris. Revised by Rabbi Lawrence Hoffman. What Is a Jew? Collier Books, 1997. Knobel, Rabbi Peter (ed.) Gates of the Seasons: A Guide to the Jewish Year. CCAR Press, 1992. Kushner, Rabbi Harold. To Life! A Celebration of Jewish Being and Thinking. Little, Brown, & Co., 1994. Magida, Arthur J. How to be a Perfect Stranger, Vol. 2: A Guide to Etiquette in Other People's Religious Ceremonies. Jewish Lights Publishing, 1999. Maslin, Rabbi Simeon, ed. Gates of Mitzvah: A Guide to the Jewish Life Cycle. CCAR Press, 1979. Perelson, Ruth. Invitation to Shabbat. UAHC Press, 1997. Prager, Dennis, and Telushkin, Rabbi Joseph. Nine Questions People Ask About Judaism. Simon & Schuster Inc, 1986. Schulman, Zell. Let My People Eat! Passover Seders Made Simple. Macmillan, 1998. Shapiro, Rabbi Mark Dov. Gates of Shabbat: A Guide for Observing Shabbat. CCAR Press, 1991. Sonsino, Rabbi Rifat and Syme, Daniel B. Finding God: Ten Jewish Responses. UAHC Press, 1986. Steinberg, Rabbi Milton. Basic Judaism. Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, Inc., 1986. Syme, Rabbi Daniel B. The Jewish Home: A Guide for Jewish Living. UAHC Press, 1988. Telushkin, Rabbi Joseph. Jewish Literacy. William Morrow & Co. Inc., 1991. Washofsky, Mark. Jewish Living: A Guide to Contemporary Reform Practice. UAHC Press, 2001. Zerin, Rabbi Edward, Ph.D. How to Explain Judaism to Your Non-Jewish Neighbor. Isaac Nathan Publishing Co., Inc., Los Angeles, 1997.   Jewish Parenting / Grandparenting Abraham, Michelle Shapiro. Good Morning, Boker Tov and Good Night, Lilah Tov. UAHC Press, 2002. Abramowitz, Yosef I., and Silverman, Rabbi Susan. Jewish Family and Life: Traditions, Holidays, and Values for Today's Parents and Children. Golden Books,1997. Brichto, Mira Pollack. The God Around Us: Unending Wonder. UAHC Press, 2001. Danan, Julie Hilton. The Jewish Parents' Almanac. Jason Aronson, Inc, 1997. Diamant, Anita. The New Jewish Baby Book: Summit Books, 1994. Diamant, Anita, and Kushner, Karen. How to Be a Jewish Parent Schocken Books, Inc., 2000. Freedman, Rabbi B.; Greenberg, Jan; and Katz, Karen. What Does Being Jewish Mean? Read-Aloud Responses to Questions Jewish Children Ask About History, Culture and Religion. Prentice-Hall, Inc., 1991. Gellman, Marc, and Hartman, Thomas. How Do You Spell God? William Morrow & Co., 1995. Grishaver, Joel Lurie. Ten Attitudes of Highly Effective Jewish Grandparents: Patterns for Enhancing & Sustaining Your Grandchildren's Jewishness. (16-page booklet) Torah Aura Productions, 4423 Fruitland Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90058, 1995. Tel: (800) BETORAH (213) 585-7312. Kurshan, Neil. Raising Your Child To Be a Mensch. Ivy Books, 1987. Kushner, Rabbi Harold. When Children Ask About God. Schocken Books Inc., 1995. Kushner, Lawrence, and Kushner, Karen. Because Nothing Looks Like God Skylight Paths, 2001. Mogel, Wendy. The Blessing of a Skinned Knee: Using Jewish Teachings to Raise Self-Reliant Children Scribner Publishing, 2001. Olitzky, Rabbi Kerry M.; Rosman, Rabbi Steven M.; and Kasakove, David P.. When Your Jewish Child Asks Why: Answers for Tough Questions. KTAV Publishing House, Inc., 1993. Sasso, Rabbi Sandy. God's Paintbrush. Jewish Lights Publishing, 1992. Wolpe, Rabbi David. Teaching Your Children About God: A Modern Jewish Approach. Henry Holt & Co., 1995  .