Outreach Committee
Reform Judaism has survived and grown because of its ability to adapt to its surroundings and the realities of modern life in America. Taking that principle to heart, the Outreach Committee at Congregation Kol Haverim seeks to address the interests of current and prospective temple members who are part of this modern day family or household. The Outreach Committee has its goal to provide informative and enjoyable programming to welcome, engage, and educate those in interfaith families, unaffiliated Jews, and others.
Description of Activities
Outreach at Congregation Kol Haverim offers a wide variety of opportunities for families to easily be involved in temple life depending upon their needs or interests. In recent years our programs and activities have included speakers such as Ed Case, the founder of InterfaithFamily.com, a non-profit organization that provides "information, connections, support and advocacy" for interfaith families on “Trends in Interfaith Families;” Kathy Bloomfield, Outreach Ambassador of the Northeast Council of the Union for Reform Judaism on “Dealing with Extended Family;” and Rabbi Lev Ba’esh, the Director of The Resource Center for Jewish Clergy of InterfaithFamily.com on“Planning Jewish Life Events that Honor the Whole Family.” Panel discussions led by the Rabbi and invited moderators such as Janice Rothstein, Clinical Director of the Greater Hartford Jewish Family Services, have been offered on a regular basis to discuss such compelling topics as The “December Dilemma” and “Raising Children in Interfaith Families.” Collaborative efforts with the Lifelong Learning Committee, The Sisterhood Committee, and other Kol Haverim units have been especially fruitful.
