Interfaith Families' Programming Preferences

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Edmund Case, edc@interfaithfamily.com, 617-581-6805

Surveys Reveal That Interfaith Families Prefer To Attend Programs Marketed As ?For Interfaith Families?

Attracted To Jewish Organizations That Offer Targeted Programs As Well As Programs For Everyone

(Newton, MA) — October 19, 2011 — Jewish communities and organizations offer very few programs that are designed and explicitly marketed as "for interfaith families." Many Jewish professionals say that interfaith families do not want to be "singled out" and prefer to attend Jewish programs that are for everyone. New surveys by InterfaithFamily.com (IFF) reveal for the first time that in fact, interfaith families are attracted to Jewish organizations and synagogues that offer programs marketed as "for interfaith families" and prefer to attend programs targeted to them as well as general programs for everyone.

Respondents to InterfaithFamily.com?s annual Passover/Easter and December Holidays Surveys starting in December 2009 were asked whether they preferred to attend programs described as "for interfaith families" or programs for everyone, and what attracted them to Jewish organizations and synagogues.

• Out of 498 responses from people who were intermarried and were raising their children Jewish, 13% said they preferred programs "for interfaith families" — and another 64% said that it "depends on the program."
• Fully 88% of respondents said that it was "important" in attracting them to a Jewish organization or synagogue that it offered programs described as "for interfaith families," with almost three-quarters saying it was "a lot" or "somewhat" important.
• In the most recent survey, 61% said that the program title "Raising a Jewish Child in Your Interfaith Family" would be more likely to interest them than the title "Raising a Jewish Child."

"Our survey responses are illustrative of the attitudes and behaviors of interfaith families who are interested in Jewish life: significant percentages of them are interested in programs that are marketed as 'for interfaith families' and are attracted to synagogues and Jewish organizations that offer such programs," said Edmund Case, CEO of InterfaithFamily.com. Respondents explained the reasons behind their preferences:

• they want to be with and share stories with others like them;
• interfaith families have unique issues and some topics are best addressed in interfaith family specific programs;
• programs for interfaith families are more comfortable for partners who are not Jewish.Some pointed out that when interfaith couples start out, they may be more interested in interfaith family specific programs, than when they feel more integrated. And some pointed out that the fact that an organization offers programs for interfaith families is important as a statement that interfaith families are welcome.

The need for explicitly targeted programs at a wide range of Jewish organizations and especially at our gateway portals like Jewish Community Centers has increased and will continue to increase as interfaith relationships continue to grow and the population of adult children of interfaith marriages of the 80's and 90's reaches maturity and considers their religious choices. "This is an opportunity that the Jewish community ignores at its peril," said Karen Kushner, the director of InterfaithFamily.com's Resource Center for Program Providers. "Attracting interfaith couples and families to Jewish programming successfully will determine the Jewish future of the children of today and tomorrow."

About InterfaithFamily.com
InterfaithFamily.com is the premiere web based resource for interfaith couples exploring Jewish life and making Jewish choices, and the leading web based advocate for attitudes, policies and practices that welcome and embrace them. Visit www.InterfaithFamily.com.