The FJMC Quality Club requirements have been updated to include Inclusion activities. We want to assure you that you shouldn’t feel intimidated by the new requirements for Inclusion. The new criteria require 5 Inclusion items from the INCLUSION RESOURCE GUIDEBOOK out of a possible 27, and you are probably doing many already.
Below is a QUICK START GUIDE to give you some easy ideas to get you started.
1. Review written materials and bylaws of the synagogue, Men’s Club and Women’s League affiliate to ensure inclusionary, gender-neutral verbiage.
2. Place welcoming language on your synagogue website, preferably on the home page and/or Men’s Club pages.
3. Seek support from clergy, the congregation board or Inclusion Committee, if one exists, such as a statement of support, an inclusion themed sermon and/or indicating that Mi Sheberach prayers are for ALL in need of healing, including mental as well as physical healing.
4. Place a “YOU ARE WELCOME” or “ALL ARE WELCOME” sign in your lobby and/or on the lawn.
5. Publicize Inclusion positions and activities in the general and Jewish local media and on social media.
6. Create Inclusionary practices for religious activities.
7. Have large print prayer books available for those who need them and/or magnifying sheets for use.
8. If your sanctuary is not well lit, provide an area of better lighting for the vision impaired.
9. Lower the mezuzot and Kippah boxes to make them more accessible for congregants using wheelchairs.
10. Make sure your sound system is adequate for those with hearing impairments.
11. Communicate your Inclusion activities to your region and FJMC so that they can share your success with other clubs.
There are many more ideas in the INCLUSION RESOURCE GUIDEBOOK.
If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out.
Wishing you every success.
Stephe Sturman, Inclusion Initiative
ssturman@fjmc.org
The Inclusion Initiative was jointly developed by the Federation of Jewish Men’s Clubs (FJMC) and the Women’s League for Conservative Judaism (WLCJ). The goal of the Inclusion Initiative is for Men’s Clubs, Women’s League Affiliates and synagogues to create an environment that makes all underserved communities feel welcomed and embraced in the Jewish Community. Working with several other key Jewish organizations, the joint FJMC/WLCJ Committee on Inclusion has developed an Inclusion Resource Guidebook with a wide range of strategies, activities and programs for local use; the Guidebook can be downloaded here. For more information about the Inclusion Initiative please visit https://fjmc.org/initiatives/inclusion/ or contact FJMC Inclusion Initiative Program Chair Stephe Sturman at ssturman@fjmc.org.
This message is brought to you by the Florida Region of the Federation of Jewish Men’s Clubs (FJMC). We are part of a global confederation of over 200 Jewish Men’s Clubs and Brotherhoods representing over 20,000 members across the United States, Canada, Latin America, and beyond. Learn more about how your Jewish Men’s Club or Brotherhood can affiliate with the FJMC at: https://fjmc.org/for-clubs/affiliating-with-the-fjmc/.
The Florida Region of FJMC serves the needs of affiliated Men’s Clubs and Brotherhoods throughout the State of Florida. Get to know more about the FJMC Florida Region and our growing network of Jewish Men’s Clubs and Brotherhoods at www.floridaregionfjmc.org and please visit and LIKE our Florida Region FJMC Facebook Group at www.facebook.com/FloridaRegionFJMC.
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