An educational program called Nativ is offered to Israeli soldiers and officers who are not Jewish according to Halacha (Orthodox Jewish law) during their military service. The program commences with a seven or eleven-week intensive course in Judaism to prepare them for conversion. After completing the course and being sent back to their bases, soldiers interested in proceeding with the conversion process are then invited to two two-week seminars, with a month off between them, before undergoing the official conversion by three rabbis of the IDF Chaplaincy.

Over 3,000 federation lay and professional leaders from North America gathered in mid November, 2008 at the Binyanei HaUma international convention center in Jerusalem to attend the annual General Assembly (GA) of the United Jewish Communities (UJC). During the four days of deliberations, study tours, exhibitions, entertainment and formal and informal contact the cloud of global economic uncertainty and its effect on Jewish fundraising and philanthropy was the constant topic of conversation. The JTA has given the GA comprehensive coverage on its website.

Hiddur: The Center for Aging and Judaism is a transdenominational effort to transform the culture of later life and foster multi-generational community. Established in 2003 by the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College, Hiddur seeks to empower the growing number of Jews entering the second half of life to connect to lifelong learning and spiritual engagement, and contribute their talents.

Twenty three Jewish community leaders from around the world participated in an intensive three week Israel seminar organized by MOFET JTEC in cooperation with ”Soul Train”, a program of the Bnei Akiva Yeshiva Kfar Haroeh this July. The intensive, experiential seminar program enabled participants to acquire knowledge as well as practice Jewish activities and topics, creating a linkage to Israel, for the benefit of their communities.

This census of Jewish supplementary schools in North America enrollment was the first to be carried out in over a quarter century. A list of schools was drawn up, based on information made available by the larger bodies of synagogues, umbrella agencies and educational organizations. Over 1700 of the approximately 2100 existing schools provided enrollment data and other information.