Welcome to the Rockland Jewish Initiative
The Rockland Jewish Initiative (RJI) was created in 2012 by philanthropist Lisa Green, in conjunction with the Jewish Federation & Foundation of Rockland County. Its mission is to energize synagogue life in Rockland through partnerships in synagogue transformation. The Rockland Jewish Initiative works collaboratively with the Rockland County Board of Rabbis and its synagogues to engage new members and leadership, foster new organizational models, promote a vibrant Jewish community and move that community forward.
Learn more about the Rockland County Board of Rabbis' synagogues: download the brochure
New Member Grants
RJI's New Member Grant is available to new member families at synagogues on the Rockland County Board of Rabbis (see list below). The grant is a one-time gift towards synagogue membership or Hebrew school tuition. Eligible families must have no synagogue affiliation within the past 3 years in Rockland County.
Rockland County Board of Rabbis Synagogues
Beth Am Temple in Pearl River, Congregation Shaarey Israel in Montebello, Congregation Sons of Israel in Upper Nyack, Congregation Sons of Jacob in Haverstraw, Montebello Jewish Center in Suffern, Nanuet Hebrew Center in New City, New City Jewish Center in New City, Orangetown Jewish Center in Orangeburg, Reform Temple of Rockland in Nyack, Temple Beth Sholom in New City and West Clarkstown Jewish Center in New City.
Contact Us
We are part of the Jewish Federation of Rockland County. Our office is in the Federation suite, in the Rockland Jewish Community Campus, 450 West Nyack Road, West Nyack, NY 10994.
To reach us by phone or email, please contact:
Cantor Barry Kanarek, Director
845 362-4200 ext. 170 | 845 635-4282 fax | bkanarek@jewishrockland.org
Jewish Rockland 2015 Study: The Landscape of Rockland County
Nov. 12 2014 Presentation (PDF)
Feb. 5 2015 Presentation (PDF)
RECOMMENDED READING
Connected Congregations: From Dues and Membership to Sustaining Communities of Purpose download this report
The Spirituality of Welcoming: How to Transform Your Congregation Into a Sacred Community by Dr. Ron Wolfson. Jewish Lights Publishing
Relational Judaism: Using the Power of Relationships to Transform the Jewish Community by Ron Wolfson. Jewish Lights Publishing
Tomorrow's Synagogue Today: Creating Vibrant Centers of Jewish Life by Rabbi Hayim Herring. The Alban Institute
Sacred Strategies: Transforming Synagogues From Functional to Visionary by Isa Aron, Steven M. Cohen, Lawrence A. Hoffman and Ari Y. Kelman. The Alban Institute
Generations & Regeneration: Engagement and Fidelity in 21st Century American Jewish Life by David Elcott & Stuart Himmelfarb download this report
Share Your Story
Do you have a Jewish connection, story, or emotion you can share? We want to hear about it! The Facebook page Rockland & Jewish is a place where Rockland’s Jewish story is being shared with the world. It’s easy to participate – just contact us. We will schedule a short telephone interview. Then send us a picture, and share your story with your Facebook friends. E-mail Barry Kanarek, Director, RJI to get started!
