Identity
Founded in 1893, the Jewish Chautauqua Society (JCS) is the interfaith
educational arm of the North American Federation of Temple Brotherhoods
(MRJ). MRJ is an affiliate of the Union of American Hebrew Congregations
(UAHC), the umbrella organization of the Reform movement, which is the
oldest Jewish religious organization in the United States. JCS is the
oldest and largest interfaith educational program within the Reform movement.
Rational
The
Jewish Chautauqua Society was created to disseminate knowledge about Judaism
and its interrelationship with the traditions of other faiths. Based on
the belief that prejudice breeds on ignorance born of stereotype, the
Jewish Chautauqua Society seeks to reduce anti- Semitism by providing
non-Jews with opportunities to understand the culture, beliefs and practices
of the Jewish people. The Society pursues this mission by sponsoring rabbinically-taught
college level courses and secondary school programs, and by supporting
programs dedicated to interfaith cooperation and mutual respect. The goal
of the Jewish Chautauqua Society is "Understanding Through Education."
JCS believes that most of today's intergroup tensions are rooted in ignorance.
First-hand information about Jewish religious practices and beliefs helps
non-Jews gain respect for Jews as valuable members of America's multi-cultural
society. JCS sponsors accredited courses on Judaic topics on college campuses,
conducts interfaith institutes, supports field trips to sites of religious
interest, provides book grants and produces educational videos.
Programs
The Jewish Chautauqua Society accomplishes its objectives through the
following programs:
College Lectureships - Over 130 accredited college courses on Judaism at colleges, seminaries and theological institutes across the US and Canada will be sponsored this year by JCS, including 30 minority colleges and 19 seminaries.
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Stephen
K. Breslauer, joins the NFTY leadership in the chanting of the Birkat
Hamazon at the JCS Luncheon.
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One Day Lectures - More than 50 presentations, on topics ranging from the Jewish holidays to Modern Israel, will be made by JCS rabbis at educational institutions throughout the country.
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Spreading
knowledge about Jews and Judaism is the main goal of JCS' Scholar
in Residence Program. Rabbi Mark Shook, of Temple Israel in St.Louis
has served as a lecturer at St.Louis University.
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Book Grants - Institutions hosting JCS programs are provided shelves of books on Jewish topics. JCS has donated 120,000 books of Judaica to libraries to date.
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David
A. and Patty Ann Long of Philadelphia generously donated a shelf
of Jewish books through the Jewish Chautauqua Society to the library
of St. Charles Borromeo Seminary in Wynnewood, Pa. Pictured are,
left to right, Monsignor Michael F. Burbridge, Rector of St. Charles;
Thomas E. Wiener, National Board member; and Cait Kokolus, Director
of library services for St. Charles
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The
JCS book grant program makes it possible for local brotherhoods
to donate books of Judaica to vaious local libraries and insitutions.
The Brotherhood of Temple Emanuel of Kensington, MD recently made
a donation of 15 books on Jewish culture and tradition to St.Andrews
Episcopal School in Potamac, MD
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Uniting
the Jewish and Muslim communities of Hampton, VA through education,
Dr. and Mrs. Mayer Levy recently presented books of Judaica to the
Hampton Mosque and Islamic Center on behalf of the Brotherhood of
Temple Sinai of Newport News. Pictured are, left to right, Dr. and
Mrs. Ahmed Noor of the Islamic Center and Dr. and Mrs. Mayer Levy.
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Interfaith Institutes - JCS supported interfaith institutes held on the local level provide rabbis, priests, imams and lay leaders with opportunities to learn about the commonalities and differences amongst the different faiths. Over 25 interfaith institutes will be held this year.
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A
Clergy Institute of over 100 participants was a resounding success
this year at Temple Israel in Tulsa Oklahoma. Along with the members
of the clerical professionals, students from nearby Oral Roberts
University were also in attendance. Pictured below is, from left
to right, Rev. Glen Evans; Rev. William Christ; Rabbi Peter Knobel;
Mr. Robert Cohen; Rabbis Charles P. Sherman of Temple Israel; and
Terry Rosenthal of Temple Israel.
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Secondary School - Museum Visitation Program - Initiated in 1996, in cooperation with major Jewish museums around the country, JCS makes it possible for tens of thousands of secondary school age children to visit these important cultural and educational institutions. Over two million students have participated in JCS programs.
