(Courtesy of YU) The OU Women’s Initiative is challenging synagogues and communities to create innovative women’s programming in 2022. Grant awards are up to $3,600 per program, for the 10 organizations/programs receiving funding.

“As we continue to embrace a new, ever-changing reality, the OU seeks to encourage thought and imagination to involve women in areas of chesed, learning and engagement at all stages of their lives (teens, singles, young couples, working mothers and the elderly),” said Rebbetzin Dr. Adina Shmidman, director of the OU Women’s Initiative.

In the past two years the Covid-19 pandemic has forced Jewish communities to change the way they daven, learn and inspire one another.

Adeena Mayerfeld, program and operations manager of the OU Women’s Initiative, explains the application process: “We are asking shuls to (1) Reflect on how the pandemic impacted women’s engagement in Jewish communal life, (2) Reimagine women’s programing and community engagement and (3) Reconnect and re-engage women through creative initiatives.”

The grant is a paradigmatic example of the OU’s mission, explained Executive Vice President Rabbi Moshe Hauer: “By encouraging women to think creatively about how to re-energize their communities, the OU Women’s Initiative continues to support and engage women and communities across North America.”

Moishe Bane, president of the OU, highlights the timeliness of the program: “The Challenge Grant is a vital next step in creating communal cohesiveness and shared vision in our ever-changing world. With much faith and confidence, we are asking women to actively search for and create programs that foster spiritual growth and enthusiastic community involvement.”

Applications are online at https://www.ou.org/women/grant22-application/ and are due by February 25. Grant recipients will be announced March 31.

For more information, visit https://www.ou.org/women/grant22/ or send an email to [email protected].