Sinai+Synagogue+(South+Bend,+IN)

A congregation which has already developed a successful family-based Shabbat educational program, Sinai seeks to increase the intensity and meaningfulness of its families’ Shabbat experience and improve the quality of its education program through enhancing the musical aspect of its approach (through Shabbat z’mirot and non-instrumental music during other times on Shabbat); developing more creative modes of teaching Torah; recruiting and training teachers, most of whom are drawn from within the community; and building build upon its success on Shabbat morning by developing similar programming for Shabbat afternoon and motzei Shabbat.
 * __Sinai Synagogue__****, South Bend, IN (Conservative, 170 household units)**
 * “Family Education at Sinai Today (FEAST)”**

1102 East LaSalle Avenue South Bend, IN 46617 574-234-8584 [|website]

Dear haverim/haverot:

I’m attaching the form for applying for additional years of funding from the Legacy Heritage Innovation Project. You are eligible to apply for up to $30,000 per year in funding for up to two additional years beyond the initial year of funding (a maximum of four years of funding in total). The amount of required congregational matching funds ($3,000 for next year) increases by $2,000 per year.

Note that __there is no guarantee of continued funding__ for current grantees. The bar for multi-year funding is set very high; only the most outstanding proposals will receive support. We will favor proposals which will focus funding on “sustainable” or “renewable” congregational resources, and applicant congregations must explain how they will sustain their approach upon cessation of grant funding.

Your proposal must be completed and sent to me by e-mail no later than ****3 p.m. EST Thursday, March 6, 2008.**** To maximize your chances in this process, we offer the following suggestions:


 * Please be as specific as you can regarding how you propose to:****
 * ****Actively engage participants****, as opposed to simply creating and publicizing a new and exciting program – e.g. “if we build it better, they will come.” What is the mechanism by which parents will be engaged on an ongoing basis? Will there be an expectation or requirement to which they will subscribe?
 * ****Link your project to the required educational program**** for children
 * ****Restructure adult and children’s**** ****education**** to embed it in rhythm of Jewish living, as opposed to augmenting a program that takes place during the week
 * ****Build upon your congregation’s current strengths and achievements****
 * ****Sustain funding for the initiative**** after the term of the grant and focus grant funding on “sustainable” resources for the congregation as opposed to one-time expenses (guest speakers, subsidies, etc.)
 * Stress ****incremental approaches with attainable objectives**** (“low hanging fruit”).


 * Please avoid:****
 * ****Wish lists**** of “additive” and/or disconnected programming ideas; instead, explain how your approach would be integrated and systemic – see examples on our website, http://www.legacyheritage.org/ip_funds.html)
 * ****“Hopeful” language**** (“we hope to/we imagine/we envision”), unless it is backed up by tangible evidence that you will succeed at what you propose. If possible, cite support from focus groups, surveys, phone calls, evidence of past successes which are directly linked to proposal. We’re wary about the “if you build it they will come” approach to programming
 * ****Hyperbolic descriptions**** of your programming or congregation
 * Approaches which are favored by one or more professionals but which do not yet enjoy broader support from other staff and lay leadership

Please confirm that you have received this notice and whether your congregation intends to submit a proposal. ////Yasher koach//// on your excellent work, and ////hatzlachah rabbah//// in this process. Please contact me should you have any questions.

Shabbat shalom,

Marc

Rabbi Michael Friedland sinairabbi@sbcglobal.net

Ossie Meisel, Education Director Ossie102@yahoo.com

Terry Feldbaum tfeldbaum@aol.com



The Rosh HaShanah sermon was not about Legacy Heritage per se but wove it into the sermon as a challenge to the congregation. The section about Legacy Heritage is highlighted in the sermon itself