Appendix
NIF's Program for Promoting Jewish Pluralism
Grantees
Bina: Center for Jewish Identity and Hebrew Culture -- $70,000
Implements a “secular yeshiva” and other educational and community activities that promote pluralistic Jewish culture among the secular public, with an emphasis on young people.
Center for Women's Justice -- $30,000
Litigation and advocacy to advance the status of Jewish women whose rights have been violated as a result of the legal system’s adoption of religious laws.
Esh David -- $30,000
An independent Jewish pluralistic congregation established and led by immigrants from the former Soviet Union in Ashdod.
Eternal Rest (Menuha Nekhona) - $19,000
Pioneering efforts to establish secular cemeteries that allow alternatives to Orthodox burials in Israel.
Gvanim Olim - Shiluv -- $20,000
Developing young leadership that will implement pluralistic Jewish-identity community projects among immigrants from the former Soviet Union.
Havaya - $50,000
Promoting secular Jewish identity with a focus on developing alternative ceremonies for secular Jewish weddings in Israel.
Forum for Freedom of Choice in Marriage -- $30,000
A coalition striving for freedom of choice in marriage in Israel, with special activities aimed at university students and the Russian-speaking population.
International Coalition for Agunah Rights (ICAR) -- $20,000
A coalition of women's organizations campaigning for the rights of women whose husbands either cannot or will not grant them a writ of divorce as required by the Rabbinic courts that control family law in Israel.
Israel Religious Action Center of the Movement for Progressive Judaism in Israel (Reform) -- $65,000
Policy analysis, litigation and public campaigns on issues of religious freedom, civil rights and government accountability.
Kolech - Religious Women’s Forum -- $35,000
Improving the status of Orthodox women through major reforms by a consensual process within the Orthodox community.
The Masorti (Conservative) Movement- $39,000
To widen the exposure of the Masorti movement in Israel as a non-Orthodox Jewish alternative, by reaching out to new target audiences, developing congregations and cultivating leadership.
Meitar – Judaism as a Culture- $25,000
Engaging non-observant Israeli Jews in learning and experiencing Judaism in a cultural and secular framework, while raising their awareness to pluralistic Jewish values.
The Midrasha at Oranim - $24,000
Hamidrasha provides the secular population with opportunities for meaningful, modern Jewish education, relating to Judaism as a living, dynamic culture.
Midreshet Kama -- $30,000
A progressive, pluralistic religious girls' school in Yeroham, an adaptation of the Pelech model for Mizrahi girls, which encourages excellence in learning and community involvement.
Mimizrach Shemesh - The Jewish Social Leadership Center (at Kiah) -- $30,000
Promoting social justice based on Jewish sources, emphasizing the heritage of Mizrahi Judaism in the general Jewish discourse.
Ne'emanei Torah Ve'avodah -- $50,000
To promote a modern, moderate voice for Orthodox Jews and to change the priorities of Religious Zionism.
Panim for Jewish Renewal in Israel --$60,000
Placing Jewish renewal high on the public agenda by furthering the development of existing renewal organizations and achieving government recognition and funding for them.
Shaked High School in the Beit Shean Valley - $24,000
Restoring a modern moderate Orthodox ethos both educationally and ideologically for the state Religious schools.
Shitim – The Kibbutz Institute for Festivals and Holidays - $25,000
A secular Jewish educational center that develops materials and courses around Jewish festivals and life-cycle rituals, with a focus on developing secular rituals for alumni of youth movements.
The Yaacov Herzog Center for Jewish Studies - $20,000
Creating a tolerant and pluralistic dialogue among diverse groups in Jewish society and working to enhance the status of Orthodox women.
12th of Heshvan – Promoting Tolerance in an Orthodox Context - $60,000
Assisting parents groups to establish alternative liberal Orthodox schools and other educational programs for the National Religious community; d promoting openness, pluralism and tolerance in the State religious school system.
SHATIL – Religious Pluralism Project -- $127,000
Established in 1998 to encourage diverse expressions of Jewish identity, strengthen liberal elements within Orthodox Judaism, facilitate religious freedom through policy change and promote freedom of choice in marriage. The project provides capacity building services to organizations, identifies and develops new leaders, and helps diverse organizations coordinate activities for maximum impact. Special efforts target progressive Orthodox women’s groups, cultivating alternative expression of Jewish rituals and establishing joint initiatives with organizations active in other issue areas, such as immigrants from the former Soviet Union.
