AJOP Update: Who Are American Jews?

November 10, 2011 - 13 Cheshvan 5772

AJOP Convention January 15-17, 2012 Save the Date!

AJOP Convention 2012: Full Day Fundraising Seminar by Rabbi Yitz Greenman

Dr. David Pelcovitz to Reveal Survey Results at 2012 AJOP Convention

Aish Hatorah's 13th Annual Partners Conference

Aishet Kiruv Training Program for Women

OUTREACH

UK Limmud Offers Free Places for European Youth Leaders

PHILANTHROPY/FUNDRAISING

Jim Joseph Invests $1.9M in BBYO for Jewish Education

NORTH AMERICA

ADL Finds Anti-Semitic Attitudes on the Rise in America

Chicago Jews Launch New Branch of Hatzalah

Is Jewish Identity in America Half Full or Half Empty?

Who Are American Jews?

ISRAEL

Religious Services Ministry Restricts Marriage Alternative

Archbishop Tutu Conveys G-d's Disapproval to Israel

Tutu Urges Israelis to Pray For and Forgive Nazis

Mossad: Iran Far From Posing Existential Threat

The Ultra-Orthodox Punching Bag

INTERNATIONAL

EU Jews Fear Anti-Circumcision Law

Dutch Jews and Muslims Fight for Circumcision Right

Oxford Students Resign Conservative Club Over Anti-Semitic Song

Poland Hosts Largest Gathering of Rabbis Since World War II

ARTICLES OF INTEREST

In a World of 7 Billion, Demographers Struggle to Ascertain Number of Jews

Technology in Jewish Schools

New Singles Efforts Aimed at Modern Orthodox Harness Power of Social Networks

To View Our Archives of Past Newsletters

AJOP Board

RABBINIC AUTHORITIES

HaRav Shmuel Kamenetsky

HaRav Yaakov Perlow

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Rabbi Ilan Feldman

Atlanta, GA

Rabbi Yaacov Haber

Jerusalem, Israel

Mr. Richard Horowitz

Los Angeles, CA

Rabbi Yehoshua Karsh

Northbrook, IL

Dr. David Lieberman

Lakewood, NJ

Rabbi Yitzchok Lowenbraun

National Director

Rabbi Shlomo Porter

Baltimore, MD

Mr. Jeff Schachter Esq.

Passaic, NJ

Mr. Frank Storch

Baltimore, MD

HaRav Michel Twerski

Milwaukee, WI

Mr. Jerry Wolasky

Baltimore, MD

ADVISORY BOARD

Mr. Mark Bane

Lawrence, NY

Mr. Jonathan Beren

Denver, CO

Dr. Robert Edelman

Baltimore, MD

Rabbi Avraham Edelstein

Jerusalem, Israel

Dr. Michael J Elman

Baltimore, MD
Rabbi David Felsenthal
New York, NY

Mr. Howard Tzvi Friedman

Baltimore, MD

Mr. Joseph Friedman

Olney, MD
Mr. Harvey Hecker

Toronto, ONT

Mr. Stephen Rosedale

Cincinnatti, OH

Rabbi Simcha Scholar

Brooklyn, NY

Rabbi Dovid Refson

Jerusalem, Israel

Mr Gary Torgow

Detroit, MI

Rabbi Abraham Twerski, MD

Teaneck, NJ

First Study on Baalei Teshuva and Kids at Risk to be Released at AJOP Convention

Yeshiva University's Azrieli Graduate School of Jewish Education in partnership with the Association for Jewish Outreach Programs (AJOP) has conducted a groundbreaking study comparing adolescents who grew up in families whose parents are newly observant to adolescents who were born into families whose parents have been observant from birth. Conducted under the direction of world renowned psychologist, Dr. David Pelcovitz, this study was the first to look at this segment of the Jewish community.

A well conducted scientific survey is one of the best tools to help us know what the problems are and how to respond. Some interesting conclusions point to parenting styles, the best age for outreach to these individuals, and community integration. Conclusions and recommendations will initiate serious discussion about the direction and needs for the future of the Kiruv movement.

Results of this study will be announced for the first time at the upcoming AJOP International Convention on Sunday January 15, 2012 in Stamford, CT by Dr. David Pelcovitz.

Rabbi Yitz Greenman to Deliver Full Day Fundraising Seminar at AJOP Convention

This year's AJOP Convention will feature a full day fundraising seminar delivered by Rabbi Yitz Greenman, Founder and Executive Director of Aish NY. This workshop will include discussion on the Hashkafa of Fundraising and Bitachon, Goal Setting, Dealing with Difficulties, Cold Calling, Setting up Appointments and many other fundamental aspects of raising funds for your non-profit organization.

With over 2 decades of experience in this area and dozens of stories and anecdotes, this is an opportunity for mikarvim and others in the field of fundraising to gain invaluable insights from Rabbi Greenman.

Sunday January 15, 2012 at the Annual International AJOP Convention Stamford Plaza Hotel, Stamford CT.

No Charge for Convention Attendees

$150 for Non-Convention Attendees

Aish HaTorah's 13th Annual Partners Conference

On Dec. 1-4, join over 600 people in Stamford, CT for an unforgettable, content-filled long weekend featuring some of the most dynamic speakers in the Jewish world, including Rabbi Hillel Weinberg, Charlie Harary, Yaakov Salomon, Lori Palatnik, Eric Coopersmith, Yerachmiel Milstein, plus many more! Visit www.partnersconference.com for more information and registration.

Aishet Kiruv Training Program
Aishet

Aishet is offering its 13^th Annual Kiruv Training for seminary girls learning in Israel!

If you know girls learning in Israel for the year tell them about this fantastic opportunity to learn the basics in kiruv from world renowned lecturers.

Our goal is to give the girls the basic tools and confidence to reach out and make a difference. The first class is this motzei shabbos, Nov. 5 in Bayit Vegan with Rabbi Yom Tov Glaser and Rabbi Moshe Zeldman.

Classes take place every other motzei shabbos and upon completion of the course they receive certification and classes on MP3. Other lecturers included HaRav Noach Orlowek, HaRav Zev Leff, Rabbis Leib Kelemen, Dov Brezak, Dovid Orlofsky, Dovid Kaplan, Rebbetzens Sima Spetner, Tzipporah Heller, Gila Manolson and others. Limited Spaces are available. The cost of the program is $155. For more information, they can contact us in Israel at 052-761-8796 or email aishet@aish.com.

UK Limmud Offers Free Places for European Youth Leaders

An Article from eJewish Philanthropy

A new initiative sponsored by the Rothschild Foundation (Hanadiv) Europe in partnership with Limmud will be providing approximately 15 places for youth leaders/educators from across Europe at this year's Limmud conference in the UK. Continue Reading

Outreacharticle4

Jim Joseph Invests $1.9M in BBYO for Jewish Education An Article from eJewish Philanthropy Upon the launch of a new strategic plan for BBYO, Inc., the Jim Joseph Foundation of San Francisco announced that it will grant $1.9 million over three years to fund three new Jewish enrichment positions for the organization that currently reaches more than 31,000 teens annually. Continue Reading

ADL Finds Anti-Semitic Attitudes on the Rise in America
An Article from The Anti Defamation League

A nationwide survey of the American people released today by the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) found that anti-Semitic attitudes have risen slightly in America, demonstrating once again that "anti-Semitic beliefs continue to hold a vicegrip" on a small but not insubstantial segment of America.

Chicago Jews Launch New Branch of Hatzalah
An Article from WBEZ

Starting later this month, residents of Chicago's far North Side, Skokie, and Lincolnwood will be able to get help in addition to 911 for medical emergencies.

Is Jewish Identity in America Half Full or Half Empty?
An Article from eJewish Philanthropy

A recent study by the Cohen Center for Modern Jewish Studies at Brandeis University found that there are over 6 million people who self identify as Jews in the United States. Continue Reading

Who Are American Jews?
An Article from eJewish Philanthropy

As Jewish traditions go, conducting a decennial National Jewish Population Study under the auspices of the federation movement has a very short history, and it was broken when the Jewish Federations of North America decided not to support a 2010 study. Continue Reading

Religious Services Ministry Restricts Marriage Alternative
An Article from The Jerusalem Post

The rabbinical group Tzohar announced on Tuesday that it has been forced to shut down its flagship wedding project - in which it provides marriage services free of charge - due to what it calls the Religious Services Ministry's "discriminatory enforcement" of regulations against the organization.

Archbishop Tutu Conveys G-d's Disapproval to Israel
An Article from Times Live

The cleric was speaking yesterday at the Third International Session of the Russell Tribunal on Palestine, which is investigating whether Israel's practices can be classified as apartheid under international law. Continue Reading

Tutu Urges Israelis to Pray For and Forgive Nazis
An Article from The New York Times

Archbishop Desmond M. Tutu of Cape Town, the Anglican Primate of Southern Africa, urged Israelis today to pray for and forgive those responsible for the Nazi genocide. Continue Reading

Mossad: Iran Far From Posing Existential Threat
An Article from Ynet News

Former Mossad Chief Ephraim Halevy warned against an Israeli strike on Iran, saying that the results of a confrontation could be devastating for the Mideast. Continue Reading

The Ultra-Orthodox Punching Bag
An Article from Israel Hayom

Last week, former Mossad chief Efraim Halevy expressed harsh sentiments against the ultra-Orthodox. Continue Reading

EU Jews Fear Anti-Circumcision Law
An Article from Ynet News

European rabbis and senior Jewish officials have been acting in recent months against an initiative to ban circumcision in three countries.

Dutch Jews and Muslims Fight for Circumcision Right
An Article from BBC

Male circumcision is legal in the Netherlands but the body representing the country's doctors wants to end the practice.
Continue Reading

Oxford Students Resign Conservative Club Over Anti-Semitic Song
An Article from The Mirror

Tory students at Oxford are being investigated over accusations that they sang Nazi anti-Jewish songs at their weekly meetings. Continue Reading

Poland Hosts Largest Gathering of Rabbis Since World War II
An Article from Haaretz

Dozens of rabbis from across Europe have gathered in Warsaw for the largest meeting of Jewish religious leaders in Poland since the community was virtually wiped out during World War II. Continue Reading


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In a World of 7 Billion, Demographers Struggle to Ascertain Number of Jews
An Article from JTA

Could the 7 billionth person on the planet be Jewish? According to the United Nations Population Fund, the Earth welcomed its 7 billionth resident on Oct. 31. Continue Reading

Technology in Jewish Schools
An Article from Aish

I still remember the time in 1st grade when my father brought our Apple II Plus into the classroom in an effort to show my classmates the wonders of Turtle Graphics. Continue Reading

New Singles Efforts Aimed at Modern Orthodox Harness Power of Social Networks
An Article from The Jewish Week

'Jessica" is young, frum and fun to be around. But she's playing the dating game with a handicap: divorced parents, which make her less of a catch in the eyes of traditional matchmakers. Continue Reading

Please note: The views expressed in the articles featured in this newsletter reflect the views of their authors and do not necessarily reflect the thinking of the Association for Jewish Outreach Professionals. AJOP serves to disseminate pertinent news to its subscribers.

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