Keruv

Keruv means “Bringing Closer.” Another word from the same Hebrew root (krv) is kerovim, family.

The Temple Beth El Keruv Committee was formed in the fall of 2005 with Henry Luftman as Chair. The Committee had a two part mission.

The first goal was to gauge how well the culture and programming within Temple Beth El (TBE) currently serves our interfaith families. The second goal was to recommend specific programming that would complement any current outreach efforts in place. The Committee concluded that our interfaith families are in need of additional support from their Temple family and presented their recommendations to the TBE Board in August, 2006.
Some of the top priority recommendations and current steps taken to meet those recommendations are:

1. The TBE Board should clarify and publish TBE policies in regard to interfaith families.
   • President Michael Prokup has called for the creation of an Interfaith Policy Committee to oversee the clarification and publication of TBE’s interfaith policies.
2. TBE should contract the services of a Keruv consultant through the Federation of Jewish Men’s Clubs. (FJMC)
3. • Pat and Henry Luftman were asked by TBE to attend a Keruv consultant training seminar held by the FJMC in October 2006. They met with other trainees and brought outreach information back to TBE.
4. Create educational programming for interfaith families and facilitated discussion programs for parents and grandparents of interfaith couples.
   • As we go to press, Henry and Pat are coordinating the invitation of interfaih couples to volunteer in preparing the Model Seder for our TBE students as a means of connecting with each other and participating in a temple activity as a group.
   • The Luftmans recently hosted a facilitated discussion group for TBE parents of interfaith couples. The attendees shared their stories and, based upon their feedback, additional sessions of a similar nature are in the works.

The Keruv Committee warmly welcomes new members, programming suggestions and feedback on its efforts. We invite you to contact Henry or Pat Luftman (610-966-0167) or luftman@ptd.net to become involved in this program.