Mothers Circle
Mothers Circle is a free program for mothers of backgrounds other than Judaism who are raising Jewish children. The program is funded and facilitated by the Lappin Foundation in partnership with Temple Emanu-El in Marblehead and the JCC of the North Shore in Marblehead. The program includes two monthly classes, meeting Monday mornings. Classes will meet at the JCC in Marblehead on Oct. 6, 27, Nov. 10, 24, Dec. 8, 22, Jan. 12, 26, Feb. 9, 23, March 9, 23, April 6 and 27.

For more information, contact Debbie Coltin, 978-740-4428 or email dcoltin@rilcf.org.

Registration Open for Introduction to Judaism
"After we converted, two other members of the class and I had aliyot at Melissa's (another classmate's) bat-mitzvah. I had a really wonderful experience in the class and that day in June was so special. We had all gone through this life transition together. It was so worth the time."
- Gretchen Putman, Gloucester

Registration is open for Introduction to Judaism, a free 25-week course designed for individuals in interfaith relationships wishing to explore Judaism as well as those considering conversion to Judaism. The course is provided free by the Robert I. Lappin Charitable Foundation in collaboration with the North Shore Rabbinic Association.

Introduction to Judaism is designed to provide a venue for people to study and learn within the comfort of their own community. "We make it free and accessible to all.  The fact that we are entering the seventh year of the program on the North Shore is a testament to its need and its value in our community,” said Deborah Coltin, executive director of the Robert I. Lappin Charitable Foundation, which sponsors programs that are helping to keep our children Jewish. Introduction to Judaism covers topics such as history, Torah, lifecycle, holidays, prayer and synagogue skills. To date, almost 140 people have taken the course.

Andrea Linn took Introduction to Judaism this past year with her husband Rick, who is Jewish. “I recommend this class to anyone who has any questions. It is so informative, a full picture. It was a good beginning for me. It was good for our relationship to get out together and to be Jewish together,” said Linn, of Newburyport. “It was a great way to make friends with people wearing the same shoes.”

All classes are Tuesday from 7 to 9 p.m. beginning September 9. Hebrew will be taught at the beginning of each session by Sandy Hoffman. The schedule and instructors for Introduction to Judaism are:

Session 1: Theology, taught by Rabbi David Abramson, Temple Sinai, 1 Community Road, Marblehead, September 9, 16, 23, October 7, 28.

Session 2: Holidays, taught by Rabbi Baruch HaLevi, Congregation Shirat Hayam, 55 Atlantic Ave., Swampscott, November 4, 11, 18, 25, December 2.

Session 3: History, taught by Rabbi David Klatzker, Temple Ner Tamid, 368 Lowell St., Peabody, on December 9, 16, 23, January 6, 13.

Session 4: Life Cycle, taught by Rabbi David Meyer, Temple Emanu-El, 393 Atlantic Ave., Marblehead, January 20, 27, February 3, 10, 17.

Session 5: Torah, taught by Rabbi Steven Rubenstein, Temple B'nai Abraham, 200 East Lothrop St., Beverly, February 24, March 3, 17, 24, 31.

At a cost to the Foundation of $10,000 for the entire class, it is provided free to those living in the Foundation service area, but there is a $100 book fee. Tuition for those outside the Foundation service area is $425 plus the $100 for books.

To register or for more information, call Andrea Katz, program manager, 978-740-4404 or email akatz@rilcf.org.

Jews by Choice Visit Israel on Special Trip

By Amy Sessler Powell

Lois Levine and Beverly McKean describe their recent trip to Israel as “life changing,” as they took in history, religion, culture, education and fun.

“It was the first time we were away that long and did not feel ready to come home,” said Levine. “We came home and put the map of Israel up on the refrigerator.”

Levine was raised in a traditional Jewish home, has been a practicing Jew all her life, but she never had a burning urge to go to Israel until her spouse, McKean, who recently converted to Judaism, pushed the issue.

Since both women were alumni of the Introduction to Judaism course, sponsored by the Robert I. Lappin Charitable Foundation and taught by the North Shore Rabbinical Association, they were eligible for a subsidized trip offered through the Robert I. Lappin 1992 Supporting Foundation.

“Without that opportunity, we would not have taken the plunge and gone to Israel and it has changed our lives forever. I would highly encourage anyone who has the opportunity to take advantage and go,” said Levine, of Gloucester.

The trip that recently returned was one that combined a group of alumni from Introduction to Judaism from the North Shore and a similar group from Atlanta. Though conversion was not a prerequisite, the three North Shore couples all had started their Jewish journey as interfaith couples and ultimately became Jewish families.

As a Jew by choice, Beverly McKean felt overwhelmed in Israel by the history before them. “To physically see where all this history took place and all the Jewish culture. This is what attracted me to Judaism in the first place, but to experience it so fully really made me want to learn Hebrew and go back to Israel and to become more knowledgeable about the Torah.”

Ruth Budelmann has been deeply immersed in Jewish culture on the North Shore. The immediate past president of Temple Ahavat Achim in Gloucester, Budelmann has also been on the Youth to Israel committee for many years. Though married for many years and raising children Jewish, her husband Ed recently converted to Judaism and neither had visited Israel.

“The trip was amazing and life-changing in so many ways,” said Ruth Budelmann. “It is amazing to be in a country where being a Jew is a majority and celebrating Shabbat is so special and everything about being a Jew is so special. I felt like I belonged there.”

The trip was led by Deborah Coltin, executive director of the Robert I. Lappin Charitable Foundation, whose mission is helping to keep our children Jewish.

"This trip was truly unique and amazing.  Everything they learned about in class was alive and right before their eyes.  To see their Jewish pride swell as it did, was so rewarding.  Each and everyone one of them truly got it about Israel and her right to exist in peace," said Coltin. 

They enjoyed being in a group of other Jews by choice and discussing their journey. “There was a nice commonality to the group as we talked and heard how people got to the point where they are.”

The Budelmanns returned with a passion to spread the word to other people about Israel’s safety and the need to support Israel. “Israel needs our support. We could go on vacation there,” Ruth said.

Lene and Michael Demeule of Peabody, had been married in a civil ceremony several years ago before Michael converted, but they got married again in a Jewish ceremony on the beach in Tel Aviv. “It was great to share this with special time with the group,” said Michael.

Levine added, “People on the beach stopped by and watched. They clapped with us and sang.”

While getting married was certainly a highlight of the trip, the Demeules enjoyed so many parts of this trip. “It was so overwhelming that I cannot tell you the best part,” said Michael. “You can learn about things like the Golan Heights, but when you are there, you really understand their importance.”

Since their return, everyone is keeping up with Israeli news throught he online Israeli papers and thinking ahead to their next visit. Levine summed it p, “I never really got it until I was there. But having been there, I am totally committed, supportive and could absolutely live there.”

Conversions to Judaism, Subsidies for Related Costs
“I went to the mikvah and I had the ritual circumcision which was really less painful than taking a drop of blood from a fingertip, yet very meaningful. I said the blessings and it was a real growth experience, a real point in my life that I never will forget.”
-Ed Budelmann of Beverly

Under the supervision of a sponsoring rabbi, costs related to conversions to Judaism are fully subsidized for men (non-surgical), women and children. For more information on subsidized conversions, call Deborah Coltin at 978-740-4428 or email dcoltin@rilcf.org. or contact your rabbi.

Welcome to the Community Gift
“I felt like the gifts were really important and valuable because they made me feel so welcome. I felt like the Jewish community was really happy I had joined them.”
- Charlotte Gordon, Gloucester

New converts to Judaism are welcomed into the Jewish community with a gift basket, consisting of religious items of their choice, up to $150 in value. Individuals may choose from such items as a mezuzah, candlesticks, seder plate, tefillin, tallit and other items. For more information on a Welcome to the Community Gift, call Deborah Coltin at 978-740-4428 or email dcoltin@rilcf.org.

Grants to Agencies for Interfaith Outreach
“Our grant from the Lappin Foundation has allowed us to train a member of
the congregation to do outreach to intermarried couples, in cooperation
with the Conservative Federation of Jewish Men's Clubs. Our keruv
coordinator has planned a number of events to bring these couples together and get them thinking about the value of affiliation with the Jewish community.
Our working assumption is that "belonging comes before believing."
- Rabbi David Klatzker

North Shore Jewish agencies are invited to apply for grants to develop their own interfaith outreach programs, such as holiday workshops and Jewish parenting for interfaith families. Click here to download an application, or for more information call Deborah Coltin at 978-740-4428 or email dcoltin@rilcf.org.

Journey of Faith: On Becoming a Jewish Family

Journey of Faith is an engaging 10-minute trigger film, available free of charge, which discusses the importance of conversion to Judaism of a non-Jewish spouse in an interfaith family. It tells the true story of Douglas and Jodi Smith’s conversion from an interfaith family to a Jewish family. Parents of two young children, Douglas converted to Judaism in 2005 and later that year, Douglas and Jodi were married in the Jewish tradition by a rabbi on their 10 th wedding anniversary.

This short film is appropriate for teens and adults and can be used in a variety of settings including conversion classes; interfaith outreach programs; Introduction to Judaism classes; teen dialogue about dating, marriage and family; premarital counseling and training for clergy and Jewish communal workers.

Topics addressed in the film include:

• Upbringing in their respective faiths
• Expectations before and during marriage
• Raising children
• Challenges faced as an interfaith couple
• Parents’ reaction to conversion
• Factors in Douglas’ decision to convert

Journey of Faith comes with a free User’s Guide, which has a list of discussion questions to trigger conversation. It is produced and distributed by the Robert I. Lappin Charitable Foundation.

Click here to receive your free copy of Journey of Faith and the User’s Guide.