Temple Isaiah of Lafayette has received $150,000 in grant money from the Rodan Family Foundation in order to continue and expand family outreach programing in Contra Costa County.

“They approached us, hearing that we were doing a lot of innovative work,” said Temple Isaiah’s Rabbi Alissa Miller.

The synagogue’s Kulanu Family Program, which the grant will support, is designed to make it easier for unaffiliated Jewish families with kids in kindergarten through 6th grade to participate in Jewish life in a way that’s both fun and affordable.

“For a lot of families, it’s very expensive to raise an active Jewish child, or be an active Jewish family,” Miller added.

The three-year grant will support the Shabbatarama monthly Friday night services and offer free dinners for families who aren’t Temple Isaiah members. They’ll also help subsidize an annual Family Retreat to make it more affordable allowing more families to participate. Miller said it’s part of a new attempt to make sure there are Jewish experiences and events in the areas east of Oakland and Berkeley.

“It’s exciting that they’re investing in us and they’re investing in Contra Costa,” Miller said. “That’s important.”