Statewide Outreach Initiative

The application process is closed for 2009.

If you have questions or need more information, please contact us.

First Time Jewish Experience Initiative

Jewish summer camp can be the pivotal Jewish experience in a child's life. Children have the opportunity to learn more about Judaism, interact with other Jewish children and just have fun. In 2008, the Initiative subsidized 42 children from 12 different communities.

Children who have never been to summer camp are eligible for a partial scholarship to attend Camp Tamarack – one of North America’s premier non-denominational Jewish camps based right here in Michigan!*

For information about Camp Tamarack, click here.

Students who have never been to Israel are eligible for a partial scholarship to participate in an approved summer Israel program.
Scholarships may be considered for repeat campers based on demonstration of considerable need.*

Subsidies for Jewish Camps other than Camp Tamarack may be considered in certain circumstances.

Lansing's Young Jewish Leadership Training Seminar

Andrew Echt With an eye toward the future, the Lansing Jewish community is utilizing a grant from the Ravitz Initiative to launch an exciting pilot program to train new community leaders. About fifteen participants - all of whom were nominated by area rabbis - will use the four session seminar to:

gain practical skills; learning about advocating Jewish issues from an experienced lobbyist and Jewish legislators,
acquire deeper knowledge of important and relevant Jewish topics; i.e., the current situation in Israel and America, and
help unite their local community by meeting, discussing and planning with other young Jewish leaders from other parts of the community.

The first session kicked off January 25 with guest speaker Andrew Echt, a Lansing native and the chief financial resource development officer for the Jewish Federation of Metro Detroit.

Andrew discussed how he became inspired to take a lead position working for one of North America's premier Jewish not-for-profit organizations. A lively discussion followed that centered on how to successfully grow the community and raise Jewish kids in a largely non-Jewish environment. With so much passion and excitement in the room, the sky's the limit for what this group of future leaders will accomplish for their community.

Stay tuned...

Jewish Stimulus Package

There's quite a bit in the news about the Stimulus Package. It's the perfect time to announce that the 2009 Community Grant cycle is now open and you can start bringing a Jewish stimulus into your community. Seventeen communities throughout Michigan received grants to run dozens of Jewish programs in 2008. Already many communities have applied for 2009 grants. Don't delay, download the grant application here to bring Jewish programs to your community this year.

If you're interested in going above and beyond for your community and bringing even more Jewish programming, you should check out the Jewish Women's Foundation grant. The Petoskey community put together a great proposal last year and was awarded a $12,000 grant to run their impressive program, Growing Jewish Families. The program aims to develop a stronger Jewish community in Northern Michigan by offering Jewish programming for "tots", teens and women. The goal is to enable Jewish families in the broader Petoskey area to raise their children Jewishly, enjoy Jewish learning and experience life cycle and social activities in a Jewish context.

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