with Deidre Butler (facilitator), Lauren Shaps, and Nikki Shapiro
Engaging Jewish Women through Camel Riding, Challah Baking, and Learning.
“Inspire a woman, you inspire a family. Inspire enough families, you inspire a community. Inspire enough communities, you can change the world.” This framing aphorism introduces prospective participants and donors to the Jewish Women’s Renaissance Project (JWRP). With roots in Aish HaTorah JWRP focuses on outreach to Jewish mothers as the key to Jewish continuity, increasing commitment to Judaism and Israel, and strengthening the Jewish people. The central mechanism for achieving these goals is a carefully designed program that shepherds less observant Jewish women on an eight-day tour to Israel. Popularly known as “birthright for mommies,” the itinerary includes tourism and pilgrimage interspersed with a program led by a team of outreach educators, motivational speakers and activists. Topics include women’s traditional Jewish roles, spirituality, marriage and sexuality, as well as Israeli advocacy. Through interviews with Ottawa Jewish women who have participated in JWRP’s tour, leadership conferences and follow up outreach programming through JET, and against the backdrop of community concerns about Jewish continuity and dramatic growth in the education of women in the Orthodox world, this project explores the gendered strategies of outreach groups.
Deidre Butler is an Assistant Professor at Carleton University, the Director of the Max and Tessie Zelikovitz Centre for Jewish Studies, and Academic Director of the Developing Future Leaders Program. Her research and teaching interests focus on the connections between religion, ethics, and gender with a specialization in modern Judaism, Jewish ethics, and feminist thought.
Lauren Shaps, MSW has been leading JWRP Trips from Canada’s Capital City, Ottawa, since 2009. After many years of working as a school social worker and doing individual and family counseling, Lauren transitioned to full time adult Jewish education and outreach for JET Ottawa where she creates meaningful Jewish experiences and teaches a number of popular classes. Lauren works closely with her husband, Rabbi Zischa Shaps and they are blessed with 5 wonderful children, 4 children-in-law, and a gaggle of grandchildren.
Nikki Shapiro is a Volunteer in the non-profit sector. Studying Business Administration at the University of New Brunswick helped lead to Nikki to her career as an Executive Director of a large Conservative Synagogue. Since stepping down from this role almost 4 years ago she has devoted her time to helping others. A full-time life manager, Nikki not only cares for her family but also the special needs of her physically challenged mother-in law and 101 year old grandmother-in law. Currently actively involved with JET Ottawa (Jewish Education through Torah), Nikki has helped create and establish a new division called, Sarah’s Tent. This is an organized branch for Ottawa JWRP (Jewish Women’s Renaissance Project) trip participants.
