Judaism is an exemplary way of being human. -Rabbi Mordecai Kaplan

It means:

At its root, Judaism is not principally about being Jewish but the Jewish people’s responses to the eternal human questions.

In short, Judaism is not just for Jews.

It’s for anyone who might be engaged by the Jewish conversations about being human.

It means that everything in Judaism is potentially available to any human being,

And therefore Judaism needs to be languaged in a way that is fully accessible to any person.

There are as many ways of being human as there are human beings.

Judaism includes many of these ways.

What’s your way?

Let’s explore it together.

If you missed it, here’s the Expanding Faith article on Rabbi Brian Field, 5280 Magazine, April 2012 or you can read it online!

Dear Friends,

We know it’s a busy time, but this won’t take long!  You can help JYW tremendously by taking less than 10 minutes to fill out our online survey about JYW’s impact on your Jewish engagement and attitudes, and your interest in a new program possibility. Your input will help JYW open more opportunities for Jews and their loved ones with programs you’ve asked for. The deadline for your response is Monday December 19th, so Please Click Here to Begin!

Gratefully,
Judaism Your Way

You’ll find copies of the High Holy Day Machzor Prayer Book and text of Rabbi Brian’s talks, along with resources from past holidays.

Download JYW’s page in Slingshot pdf

See article at the Boulder Jewish News

By Staff on ‍‍October 18, 2011 – 20 Tishre 5772

DENVER – Oct. 18, 2011 –Judaism Your Way (JYW), a Denver-based outreach organization, has been named one of the 50 most innovative Jewish nonprofits in North America by Slingshot ’11-‘12, a resource guide for Jewish innovation. JYW was selected because of its pioneering work in offering education, rabbinic services, and holiday celebrations for all Jews and their loved ones in a wholly inclusive and pluralistic manner. JYW’s goal is to be responsive to people “wherever they are on their Jewish journeys.”

The Slingshot guide is used by philanthropists, volunteers, not-for-profit executives, and program participants to identify trailblazing organizations grappling with concerns in Jewish life such as identity, community, and tradition.

Lolly Gold, JYW’s executive director said: “Our inclusion in Slingshot ’11-’12 is a tremendous honor and a strong validation of our approach to outreach. We believe that what’s needed is a Judaism that goes beyond welcoming, and opens a gateway for all Jews and their loved ones. They may be interfaith, LGBT, single, too young, too old, too free-spirited, too poor, or too something to fit into or feel welcomed by other Jewish institutions.”

Judaism Your Way offers low barrier, innovative opportunities for unaffiliated, disengaged or disaffected Jews and their loved ones of all identities looking for opportunities to explore and expand their experience of Judaism in personally relevant and meaningful ways.

If the Jewish people are going to grow, then inviting the richness offered by all Jews and those who love and support them can only make the soil more fertile,” said JYW’s Rabbi Brian Field. “JYW’s outreach not only seeks to gather people from multiple constituencies, but in fact successfully attracts them.”

JYW was chosen for inclusion in Slingshot ’11-’12 for the first time by a panel of 36 foundation professionals from across North America. Finalists are chosen based on their strength in four areas: innovation, impact, leadership, and organizational efficiency.

According to Will Schneider, executive director of Slingshot: “Slingshot highlights those organizations that work to ensure that Jewish life isn’t left behind as the world moves forward. We had more applications than ever this year, with a wider variety of missions. In order to be selected by our evaluators, innovations and their impact had to resonate more than ever.”

The Slingshot guide contains information about each organization’s origin, mission, strategy, impact and budget, as well as details about its unique character. The book, published annually, is available in hard copy and as a free download at www.judaismyourway.org and www.slingshotfund.org.

Inspired five years ago by Slingshot, a group of next-generation philanthropists launched the Slingshot Fund, a collective giving mechanism to support innovative Jewish life. In just five cycles, 55 members of the Slingshot Fund have contributed more than $1.8 million to innovative Jewish not-for-profits.