Alliance awards grants to six innovators

What do a STEAM-based school program, a retreat for clergy and an education renewal project have in common?

These are just some of the proposals received by the Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island after it announced in November that funds were being allocated to finance innovative ideas from the community for projects that serve the Jewish community of Greater Rhode Island.

The Alliance focused on funding “fresh and creative projects, programs and services aiming to benefit an otherwise underserved population and to illustrate short-term success for long-term sustainability,” according to a letter issued to community partners.

Now, six community groups are being given seed money totaling about $63,500 to develop innovative, collaborative programming aimed at unmet needs in the community.

“This is a great first round,” said Marc Gertsacov, vice chair of community development for the Alliance and a member of the Innovation Funding Committee. “We are pleased with the number of applicants for these grants.” The committee received 19 proposals from 15 agencies and synagogues.

This is a one-time program, but the hope is that it can be renewed if more funding can be obtained. 

Grants went to programs that stress collaboration across the entire Jewish community. The programs also have to start in the first two quarters of this year.

“This initiative grows out of a broader thought process,” Gertsacov said. “How do we grow and fund other programs that we don’t usually fund to engage more of the community?

“Communities today are so much more spread out than they were years ago.”

In his Shabbat message on Jan. 27, Jeffrey Savit, president and CEO of the Alliance, said, “I was inspired by the many applicants and the scope of ideas proposed. They elucidated trends, emerging needs and a strong desire for collaboration.”

Grant recipients

Chabad of West Bay:

The Grow Program.

Innovative complementary STEAM-based school curriculum, integrating Jewish heritage with hands-on learning and focusing on global impact.

Congregation Beth Sholom: Mean What You Pray: Theater Techniques for Inspired Prayer.

Professionally-trained acting instructors and coaches teach inspirational approaches – including meditation, yoga and dance – to deepen and understand prayer.

Jewish Family Service/Thrive: Retreat for Clergy.

The project will empower clergy with a space to connect with other local religious and interfaith leaders and provide the skills and tools to balance the psychological demands in their ever-evolving roles. The connections should enable ongoing dialogue on the challenges of a world with multiple claims to religious truths.

Temple Emanu-El: Delve Deeper Jewish Adult Learning Program.

Educators will teach dynamic, in-depth, Jewish university-level courses for adult learners. Participant directed.

Temple Sinai: 

Education Renewal Project.

Establishes a technology-enhanced Hebrew curriculum classroom for multi-generational impact that will serve as a community model. 

Temple Torat Yisrael: 

Youth and Teen Program.

Volunteer parent network engages tweens and teens with religious content intertwined with social engagement, leadership skills and community involvement.

FRAN OSTENDORF is the editor of The Jewish Voice.