AMF profile

Tact:  A Family- Intervention Model    2007-2008

Tact was the name chosen for this program because the program’s core value is consideration of the feelings and values of the “other”. The program’s target population will include mixed (intermarried) couples, non-Jews considering conversion and Jews looking for adult-level basics about Judaism.  We expect that most participants will be non-Jewish mothers who are far more willing to consider conversion than non-Jewish fathers. A workshop focused on understanding Israeli culture will be offered to parents and will include study, discussions and hands-on experience for those interested in exploring a Jewish life for themselves. Topics will include Jewish holidays, life cycle events, theology, prayer, Israel, and history.

Currently seeking funding

Soul Impulse Training Course for Jewish Communal Leadership    2007-2008

In 2007, AMF and the Leo Baeck Education Center are planning to jointly operate a new program called Soul Impulse which is a training course for Jewish communal leadership. This course will offer four training and mentoring sessions to be held in conjunction with the Leo Baeck Education Center in both Haifa and Karmiel. Course participants will receive teaching support and assistance under the direction of a lead instructor and will learn how to design and develop teaching materials and ready-to-teach lesson plans. The goals of this program are to train informal educators to serve as change agents, to promote the involvement of mixed families in a pluralistic dialogue with Jewish traditions and culture, and to empower new immigrants by enabling them to acquire the tools of Jewish literacy. In order to gather information and teaching materials to carry out parent workshops, the Leo Baeck Education Center instructors and teachers will meet every two weeks to continue to create program content.

Currently seeking funding

Man, Family and Society    2007

This program is carried out in cooperation with the Midrasha in Oranim college and focuses on promoting Jewish identity and Israeli culture based on Jewish holidays and life cycle events in Israel. Program activities take place at the Spitzer Community Center at the Masorti (Conservative) congregation in Karmiel. This program views Jewish family education as being most effective when it not only teaches rituals for ceremonial occasions, but when it also demonstrates how Jewish values can help families deal with issues which they face in their own lives within Israeli society.

This project is supported by Marvell Semiconductor Israel Ltd.

Preparatory Conversion Courses        2006-2007

Ten intermarried families who are affiliated with AMF are currently attending the national preparatory conversion program for immigrants from the former Soviet Union. This program takes place in Jerusalem and is operated by the Jewish Agency for Israel and the Ministry of Immigrant Absorption. The courses were designed to be one-year conversion courses for immigrants from the FSU who wanted to become Jewish by gaining the skills and knowledge in Judaism. Upon completion, participants will go before a special conversion court, after which they will likely receive a conversion certificate confirming their Jewishness. At the AMF Annual Conference which took place in 2006, Rabbi Moshe Klein, the Assistant Director of the Conversion Administration, stated that he does not anticipate that program participants will encounter difficulties in receiving a conversion certificate.

This project is supported by the Ministry of Immigrant Absorption and the Jewish Agency for Israel.

The "Perach Bar" Children's Theater    2005-2006

This program offers immigrant children the opportunity to experientially learn about Jewish history and tradition by participating in a children’s theater, which performs Jewish holiday narratives. Fifty children from mixed immigrant families have participated in the Perach Bar Children's Theater. These children and their parents report that the program has helped the children increase their self-confidence, enhance their Jewish identification, develop better communication skills and has offered a fun context in which to discover and explore their talents.

This project was supported by the Gimprich Family Foundation and the Haifa Municipality.

Jewish Identity and Culture: Transitions (Ma’avarim)    2004

This project was carried out in collaboration with Oranim Midrasha and the Leo Baeck Reform Congregation and prepares children from mixed immigrant families for a Bar/Bat Mitzvah ceremony. Twenty-five children participated in the Transitions program and four graduates celebrated their bar/bat mitzvahs at reform synagogues this year. Ten meetings devoted to Jewish Identity in Israel took place in Karmiel. This seminar addressed difficulties which arise through the continuous and creative struggle which occurs as a result of the encounter between the world of religious values – the old world - and alternative cultures – the new world. Project partners intend to transform stories, which reflect this complex reality of Jewish identity and culture into films. The initiators of this project would like to find new outlets for participants' stories by utilizing concepts such as non-religious, religious, and observant and by utilizing a unique outlook and a new approach to Jewish identity and culture within the Israeli reality.

This project was supported by the Gimprich Family Foundation and the Haifa Municipality.

A Window into Israeli Society (Chalon La-Chevra Ha-Yisraelit)    2004

This project was carried out in collaboration with Oranim Midrasha and provides workshops and seminars that combine social change efforts, Jewish learning and community building. Project participants include children and adults from mixed immigrant families, and project activities help participants integrate into the mainstream of Israeli Jewish life. Fifteen mixed families participated in this project and reported feeling more positive toward the Jewish State and more strongly identified with the Jewish people.

This project was supported by UJA Federation of NY and Bayit Rishon Bamoledet, a joint cooperation between the Jewish Agency's Department of Immigration and Absorption and the Kibbutz Movement.

A trip to the Stalactite Cave and Herodion - "Hachagim Sheli" (My Holidays) theatre group, Pessach 2008

28.4.08 By Hila Maoz-spitzer, director of AMF’s "Hachagim Sheli" teenage theatre group project.

On Tuesday 22.4.08, on a sunny spring day, AMF led a day-trip to the Judean Mountains. Getting close to the Stalactite Cave (formally known as "Sorek Cave" or "avshalom cave"), we were anxiously looking forward to examine one of Israel's most fascinating natural wonders. Before entering the cave, we saw the film describing the natural process in which the stalactites and stalagmites were created and how the cave was accidentally discovered: Israel is said to be full of hidden treasures!

As we walked into the cave with our guide, we felt amazed by the enchanting beauty and everyone wanted to take photos as a souvenir of this well-preserved national treasure.

Afterwards, we got back on the bus for a short ride to Ya'ar Canada (Canada forest), where we stopped for refreshments. Spared from the many forest fires during the Second Intifada, the well-kept forest served as an ideal place to reflect and to gather strength for our next destination. This is the time to wholeheartedly thank two associations that donated our kosher-for-Passover lunches - "Bet Hachesed" and "Yad Ezer Lechaver", both in Haifa.

While driving to the fortress of Herodion in Gush Etzion, we listened to many interesting stories about the archeological site and the historical period in which King Herod lived. At Herodion we climbed the old narrow path, where we felt transported to a world of fortresses and kings, in which the warriors of the Judean kingdom, such as Bar Kochva, fought heroically against the gigantic and cruel Roman Empire for their freedom and their Faith. Our lovely guide explained about this region in different eras and explained Herod’s considerations in deciding to build his fortress in this specific location, where he was also buried.

Walking back to the bus we were tired, and pleased. We finished this trip with a better knowledge of Israel, its history and our own heritage, and enjoyed the good company and the breathtaking landscapes. No doubt – this was the perfect way to spend the Passover vacation.

AMF wishes to thank the Gimprich Fund, whose support made all of this possible .