Teruah Blast #009

FJMC Inclusion Initiative:  Are we as welcoming as we think we are?

Are you always talking about increasing your Club’s membership and engagement?  Here’s your chance to do that AND be more welcoming to those who may feel less than fully welcomed.

The Federation of Jewish Men’s Clubs (FJMC) and the Women’s League for Conservative Judaism (WLCJ) worked together on an Inclusion Initiative to create an environment that makes all of us, no matter our unique identities and needs, feel welcomed and embraced in our Jewish Community.

We defined Inclusion as:

the process, practice or policy of providing equal access to opportunities and resources for people who might otherwise be excluded or marginalized; a commitment to welcoming, respecting, accepting, institutionally supporting and valuing diverse identities and communities of people.

While recognizing there are more underserved communities than the ones we focused on, our work was produced especially with these communities in mind:

1. Individuals with neurological and/or physical health challenges
2. Jews of Color
3. LGBTQIA+ individuals
4. Families of all types

Most of us think we’re doing everything we can to make everyone feel welcomed – until we really talk to some of our members who consider themselves marginalized.  The truth is we can do better. Click here for instant access to materials that can help you.

After looking through the resources, let us know what we can do to support your efforts.

Questions?  Comments?  Want a speaker from FJMC to present the initiative in-person or virtually to your Club/Region?  Contact Jerry Brodsky ()

Final Thought

Our goal is to change the culture of our synagogues to create an environment that makes all of us, no matter our unique identities and needs, feel welcomed and embraced in our Jewish Community. 

(FJMC/WLCJ Inclusion Resource Guidebook, p. 33)