Community Bulletin Board - Page 1 - InterfaithFamily.com

Page 1

< Previous

Next >

Re: Welcome to our discussions!

Author: InterfaithFamily.com Editors (---.reonbroadband.com)
Date: 03-27-02 11:59

We're pleased to tell you that we've changed our online discussions--and we invite you to join them! When you submit a message, it will be reviewed by our moderators before it is posted. While we will accept messages that are realistic about the challenges posed by interfaith relationships, we won't allow people to vent their opposition to intermarriage, as has happened in the past. Our goal is to make our discussions a welcoming and safe place for people dealing with interfaith relationships to turn for helpful information and support. So please--join our discussions!

^ top

Re: Gentile Women in the Jewish Family

Author: Chris Benvenuto (---.inter.net.il)
Date: 04-08-02 02:52

For a book on the history and experiences of gentile women in Judaism, I am very eager to interview gentile women who are/have been involved with a Jewish partner; Jewish men involved with gentile women; the Jewish in-laws of gentile women; and adult children of gentile mothers and Jewish fathers. All conversations will be strictly private, and material from them will be used anonymously. Please share your stories and help other families! Thanks so much.

^ top

Re: Gentile Women in the Jewish Family

Author: Karina Trulla (---.tnt35.mia5.da.uu.net)
Date: 05-31-02 00:19

i am willing to help

^ top

Re: Jewish Dad/Gentile mom

Author: terry globman (---.gv.shawcable.net)
Date: 06-25-02 01:20

I'm aware that Orthodox Jews do not consider babies created with Jewish fathers and gentile mothers to be Jewish. Is this view changing amongst Conservative or Reform rabbis and folk?

I look forward to your response!~

^ top

Re: Jewish fathers

Author: BobP (---.phoenix-06-07rs.az.dial-access.att.net)
Date: 06-25-02 09:53

The Reform movement considers a child to be Jewish if either parent is Jewish, provided that the child is raised EXCLUSIVELY as a Jew.
Reconstructionists have similar beliefs I think.

In Conservative and Orthodox movements, the child of Jewish father and non Jewish mother would need to be converted at (or shortly after) birth for the child to be Jewish. These movements do not recognize these children as Jews unless this is done.

I believe that at the age of Jewish adulthood (Bar or Bat Mitzvah), the child can reject this conversion as he/she had no choice at the time.

^ top

Re:

Author: mpfreed (---.proxy.aol.com)
Date: 06-26-02 05:17

To Bob,

You set out the position about Jewish status and the various movements correctly. I comment only on your last point. A child converted will be recognised and treated as a Jew (plus, if converted Orthodox, the conversion will be recognised universally in the Jewish world). If he/she later rejects that conversion he/she is acting no differently than a born Jew rejecting his/her background and religion. However, he/she can never lose the status of being a Jew and leaving open the possibility of a return -which can (and not too infrequently does) happen.

^ top

Re: MPFreed's message

Author: BobP (159.53.32.---)
Date: 06-26-02 14:14

You said <<If he/she later rejects that conversion he/she is acting no differently than a born Jew...>>

I don't know if it's "authoritative", but I got the the paragraphs below from the web at "www.convert.org/infant.htm" and I copied it exactly.

Jewish parents in all movements need to convert adopted Gentile minors for the minors to be considered Jewish. The adoption itself, or even the raising of the children as Jewish, does not make the child Jewish.

The conversion of an infant or child has Jewish legal sanction. According to the Talmud (Ketubot 11a), it is permissible for a religious court (a bet din) to convert a gentile infant. The basis in Jewish law is that it is a privilege to be Jewish (Shulchan Aruch, Yoreh Deah, 268:7). Therefore, a minor can be converted even though not mature enough to understand the act because making the minor Jewish is performing a favor for that infant or child.

Jewish law also allows those people converted as an infant or child to renounce the conversion when they reach maturity. After girls reach 12 or boys 13, converted infants and children can legally reject the conversion and go back to their previous religion. If they accept Judaism or are silent, they are deemed to be considered adult converts.

^ top

Re:

Author: mpfreed (---.proxy.aol.com)
Date: 06-26-02 17:46

To Bob,

You are writing about a special case only; the conversion of adopted gentile children.

^ top

Re:

Author: BobP (---.phoenix-16-17rs.az.dial-access.att.net)
Date: 06-27-02 10:08

Yes - And if the father is Jewish and the mother is not, the child is considered a gentile to the conservative and orthodox movements. If the child's mother was Jewish, no conversion would be needed.

^ top

Re: Interfaith Married Couples in Southern California Needed for Study

Author: Gladys Matta, M.A. (---.sd.sd.cox.net)
Date: 08-13-02 15:29

My name is Gladys Matta and I am a Doctoral student at the California School of Professional Psychology in San Diego. My dissertation focuses on the experience of Jewish-Christian couples in satisfied marriages. I am currently looking for couples who live in Southern California and would be interested in participating in my dissertation study. It consists of a 1 to 1 1/2 hour interview related to topics such as how the couple has dealt with key issues in interfaith relationships (such as the religious identity of the children, dealing with family-of-origin issues, and cultural/traditional differences). Participants who are eligible will receive compensation.

I would appreciate any response and also suggestions on where I could find subjects.

Please respond to me via e-mail at VMatta@aol.com and I will contact you and further discuss the study and process of interviewing.

Thank you for your time,
Gladys Matta, M.A.

^ top

Question: Interfaith in S. FL?

Author: Jennifer (---.bankofamerica.com)
Date: 08-15-02 13:11

Board:

Does anyone know of an interfaith group in the South Florida / West Palm Beach area? There is a large Jewish popluation here, but I haven't found an interfaith discussion and/or group. Many synagogues offer offer outreach programs, but I am haven't seen anything beyond 'introduction to Judaism'.

Thanks!
Jennifer

^ top

Re: Welcome to our discussions!

Author: Dan Sing (---.na.21stcentury.net)
Date: 08-16-02 15:30

As an interfaith couple for almost 25 years, we have been observing an interesting trend. We see more and more young couples where one partner is Jewish and the other is of Oriental background; Indo-Pak, Chinese, Korean, Japanese. etc. The Oriental aspect of the other partner usually means non-Judeo-Christian religious background. So there are now Hindu/Muslim/Sikh/Taoist/Shinto-Jewish couples, which adds another dimension to the whole interfaith movement. Any comments?

^ top

Re: Welcome to our discussions!

Author: Sue Grant (---.usfilter.com)
Date: 10-31-02 15:58

Hello. I stumbled across this IFF site while shopping for dreidles.

I am Christian and my husband is Jewish. We've been married four years and both have two children from our previous marriages. Only my high school son is at home.

Our marriage is not about conversion. It is about loving and enriching each other. We respect each other's faith, share each other's customs. We look for the commonalities in our faiths and educated each other about the differences. We are always on the lookout for a good Jew/Gentile joke. I bake hallah from scratch, light the Shabbat candles and say the prayer in Hebrew. My husband hangs the Christmas lights, and we lead my church congregation in the Passover seder.

While our marriage has been quite successful, the relationship has not been without its disheartening moments. However, the dark clouds have always come from outside of the marriage. Rabbis we enjoyed would not participate in our wedding, yet my pastor was delighted to. I felt unwelcomed at my husband's temple (even though we were members of an interfaith support group), yet my husband has been embraced by my congregation. He loves attending and even goes when I do not. No one in my family has ever suggested that my husband be other than what he is or deny his faith, yet members of his family think I should not wear my cross or should conceal it.

We both feel strongly that the unacceptance of interfaith marriages in Judiasm is NOT discouraging these marriages -- it is only driving interfaith couples away from Judiasm. When my husband compares the reception I received at his temple with the reception he received at my church -- guess where we'll worship! A closed religion cannot grow. Only a faith that opens wide its arms and welcomes all will grow and flourish.

Sue Grant

^ top

Canadian Website?

Author: Laura (---.cpe.net.cable.rogers.com)
Date: 11-05-02 21:21

I was wondering if anyone knew of a similar program to IFF in Canada. I've only seen US states, but nothing about Canadian provinces. Is there somewhere, or someone I can contact for Canadian information and information about upcoming discussions? Please help,..Thanks, Laura

^ top

Re: Welcome to our discussions!

Author: melissa (---.proxy.aol.com)
Date: 11-30-02 10:25

Hello, I am interested in seeing if my boyfriend (christain) and I (Jewish) can get married and raise children in a happy household. We are looking for information and support to figure out how we can grow together as an interfaith couple. We both want it to work, but have tons of questions.....We need advice on raising kids, how to get involved in eachother's religion, etc.
We are leaning towards engagement, but what should we know before we make the commitment. We are living in Dallas, Texas, however my boyfriend may get a job in another state within this year, so we are now feeling pressure to make decisions! Please help
Sincerely,
Melissa

^ top

Chanukah craft

Author: Sandra Mort (---.owngsm01.md.comcast.net)
Date: 12-10-02 13:40

Hi! I found this site today because I was looking for something (I'll explain in a minute) but will be coming back because I'm in an interfaith relationship myself. ANyway, in the meantime, I'm hoping that someone here has some ideas for me. I need to bring an arts and crafts project to my daughter's Campfire group on Thursday, something Chanukah themed. The group is only about half Jewish, so I'd like to emphasize the religious freedom part over the miracle of oil part. We'll also be reading The Christmas Menorahs, if I can get my hands on a copy. What sort of things would you guys do? The group ranges from 3 to 9.

Thank you!!!!!
Sandra

^ top

Re: Jewish fathers

Author: Tony (---.ded.ameritech.net)
Date: 12-17-02 11:26

I recently discovered that I was born of a Jewish father. My mother's gentile husband had very few viable sperm, and shortly after her only born son died of a birth defect, she decided that her only chance to have a natural child was to find "the best gene pool" that she could and be artificially inseminated. A male Jewish friend agreed to do it secretly, so as not to upset my mother's marriage and disrupt the lives of two other adopted children already in my family.

I was raised a Catholic, but I have always felt that the Jews were the "chosen" people, and I would like to explore my options about becoming a Jew.

Would I ever be accepted in the Jewish community? I'm not sure of what Rabbi to seek out to talk this over with, but I have the inclination to work with the Reformists (reading other posts on this site).

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

^ top

Re: Jewish Education

Author: Randy Farb (207.74.108.---)
Date: 04-03-03 16:34

Hi. I came across your site while reading Publishers Weekly. I am a librarian and also co-creator of "4 Corners", the website dedicated to educating people about Judaism. Our url is www.geocities.com/fourcorners48502

Our website explores Judaism from the four main branches: Orthodox, Conservative, Reform, and Secular. Our main purpose is to explain that every branch of Judaism has something to offer, and that Jews and non-Jews alike can learn more, and hopefully have a laugh or too.

I really admire your mission. Keep up the good work, and happy holidays to all.

Randy Farb
rhfarb@yahoo.com

^ top

Zell Schulman's recipes

Author: Abbe (---.209.113.174.conversent.net)
Date: 04-17-03 12:25

Yum. Among other things, we served Zell Schulman's Passover "macaroni" and cheese at our seder, and it's definitely something I'll be cooking each year, seder or no seder. (well,as long as I avoid the heart attack that all that butter, sour cream, eggs, and cheese offers, anyway!)

Just wanted to thank Zell for sharing the recipes in her article (editors,
can you pass that on, if she doesn't read the website!) and tell everyone else who might be cooking more food this Passover to try it out.

It tastes totally like the real thing! We followed the recipe, except
for one change - we noticed that it hadn't blended so well when we uncovered it partway through baking as instructed. There were still dollops of cream, pats of butter, and blobs of melted cheese. So we stirred at that point, and then added some grated cheddar and some matzo meal on top.
I'm glad we doubled the recipe and have leftovers.

^ top

Re: Canadian Website?

Author: Eva (---.sympatico.ca)
Date: 05-28-03 14:39

Hi Laura,

I would have the same question as Laura. I am a Canadian as well, living in Toronto with an interest to learn more about any possible support groups or synagogues that would welcome interfaith couples. I am Catholic and my boyfriend is Jewish and I think it would be very beneficial for us to deal with what life has to offer in the most constructive way.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

^ top

Re: Interfaith Married Couples in Southern California Needed for Study

Author: Tasneem (---.washdc3.dsl-verizon.net)
Date: 05-29-03 16:34

Have you, per chance, any statistics on jewish-muslim couples?

^ top

Re: Welcome to our discussions!

Author: Tasneem (---.washdc3.dsl-verizon.net)
Date: 05-29-03 17:00

I am glad to see that you point this out. I am a Muslim woman from the Indian subcontinent. While I am not an orthodox or fundamentalist Muslim, I would also hesitate to label myself as non-practising. I find myself increasingly drawn to Jewish men. I have given this much thought and realized the following: I appreciate our shared religious background
( Muslims believe in all the Judeo Christian prophets and have as much respect , fondness and love for Moses or "Musa" as for our last prophet Muhammad) and shared values ( sense of duty towards family, friends and community, high ethical and moral standards, the importance of education and profession etc.) . Jewish men are also very good looking - at least not any less good looking than Arab and Indian men . However, the icing on the cake is that they tend to be more liberal than Muslim and Indian men. For a liberal, educated and yet somewhat traditional Asian woman who also happens to be a Muslim, this discovery is like a breath of fresh air. However, I don't know how to find a Jewish man who would be secure enough to want a long term loving relationship with an attractive and intelligent Asian Muslim woman. Any help here?

^ top

interfaith couples with "observant" Christians

Author: Dana Netherton (---.st-louis-108-109rs.mo.dial-access.att.net)
Date: 05-30-03 11:13

I'm the Christian husband in an interfaith marriage that will begin its 13th year in July. My wife and I are each committed to our own faith, and so far (knock on wood) we have been able to maintain a strong and healthy marriage despite our religious differences.

For many years now, my wife and I have noticed that most organized programs about interfaith marriages between Jews and "others" focus on Jewish-"Christian" couples whose Jewish member is focused on/aware of their Judaism, but whose "Christian" member is basically non-observant.

Why is this a problem?

Because many intermarriages with problems (here in the US at least) seem to have a religiously "observant" Christian member. So programs that ignore those marriages are ignoring many of the marriages that probably have the strongest need for help.

(By the way, I put "observant" in quotes because the Christian is likely to call himself/herself a "committed" Christian. "Observant" is a Jewish term; it's not usually a Christian term. In my previous paragraph, I put "Christian" in quotes, because many "observant"/committed US Christians regard Christianity as a faith, period, not as a point of family/ethnic identity. These US Christians would say that a person is not a Christian (at all) if he/she is not "observant"/committed. Two points of terminology where the Jewish community and the Christian community often differ.)

The spouse might have entered the marriage as a committed Christian, or might have developed that commitment after some time in the marriage. Either way, when the two members of the marriage are committed to two different faiths ... there is a potential for problems. Probably a greater potential than in marriages where one member is committed and the other is indifferent.

Yet too much of the formal Jewish "outreach" to intermarriages seems oblivious to this situation. Oh, there will be some articles about it, maybe a chapter in a book. But when it comes to the practical programs being conducted face-to-face to strengthen specific interfaith marriages ... all too often the planners are unaware of the special needs of the people who are living in this setting.

For example, "interfaith" programs at my wife's (Reform) temple are routinely scheduled for mid/late Sunday morning. Great for Jewish parents who are dropping their kids off at Sunday School. Great for non-observant non-Jewish parents who are willing to go along for the ride.

But This Does Not Work for "observant" Christian members. Why? Because a key component to Christian "observance" is attendance at church services *on Sunday morning*.

After watching this happen for several years (and watching me respond by shrugging my shoulders and pitching the invitation in the trash -- it's not *my* problem, in several ways), my wife finally asked the contact person at her temple why they do that. She replied, "Oh gee, I never thought of that. Well, it's really convenient to have it on Sunday morning, so I don't know whether we'll change that."

So much for the problem marriages that are problems *because the Christian spouse is strongly committed to a style of Christianity that does not let him/her share the household or raise children with a non-Christian*.

Believe me, that sort of Christian will *never* play hookey from Sunday-morning church services (for him/her, it will feel like "playing hookey") in order to go to a program being held at the spouse's Jewish congregation. And "never" will harden into "it will be a cold day in Hell before I ...", if the program is a *series* of sessions (if it involves showing up -- in other words, missing church -- several Sundays in a row).

The program my wife's temple uses is sponsored by a national organization (whose name escapes me right now) that aims at helping intermarriages succeed (and also aims at helping Jewish members remain strong in their Judaism, of course). Two thoughts come to my mind:

1. As I noted earlier, the program (as implemented locally at least) is missing a lot of the marriages that need the most help.

2. If the people in that organization knew about this issue, they clearly didn't get the point across to the relevant people at my wife's temple when they sent the materials and/or conducted whatever training might have been involved.

I don't really know who in the "interfaith marriage" crowd I should approach, to get this point across.

This "forum" message is my first attempt to do that.

Yours,

(Mr) Dana Netherton

^ top

The Wedding Ceremony

Author: David (---.sympatico.ca)
Date: 06-20-03 15:02

Hello,

I am Jewish and my fiancee is Roman Catholic. We are getting married relatively soon in Toronto. I have just begun to search for a Rabbi that will perform our ceremony in conjunction with a Catholic Priest.

From the experience of those within this interesting discussion board--Am I going to have a hard time finding a Rabbi willing to do this? Particularily since the wedding is not only interfaith, but will have both faiths represented.

I appreciate any answers/experiences with the above situation as well as any tips in accomplishing a non-problematic ceremony. I have plenty of time to go nuts later and would rather not lose it on or near our special day.

Its great to find such a site that considers the special circumstances we share. Thanks again!

^ top

Re: Jewish fathers

Author: sara (---.client.attbi.com)
Date: 07-09-03 13:01

to summarize: I am answering the question as to the halachic status of a man born of a genitle woman and a Jewish sperm-coner, raised catholic. "Will the Jewsih community ever accept him as Jewish?"

The Jewish community acepts converts as Jewish. However, by Jewsih law you are not Jewish. I fyou wish to be, you should perhaps look into conversion. However, I do not thinnk you should convert. In fact, I am required to discourage you from conversion. The only acceptable reason to convert is becasue you cannot possibly imagine living the rest of your life as anything but a Jew.

Without conversion, the Jewsih community will not accept you as Jewish. However, most rabbis and Jews in general will be happy to help you learn more about Judaism as a genitle, if that is what you wish. Look up any shul inthe phone book, and make an ppointment to speak with the rabbi. I'm sure he will be happy to speak with you and lend books to help you leanr more about your father's people.

sara

^ top

Re: marriage

Author: Robin (57.68.33.---)
Date: 07-13-03 16:35

I have just been engaged. He is a persian muslim man and I am eastern european Jew. He has always respected me, my family and my religion. My father has said that he could not ask for a better son-in-law, however there is one issue - he is not Jewish. We are currently talking about decisions regarding the weeding and family due to our different religions. We honestly feel that we can make this work and we would like for those in our lives to understand and believe in the possiblility of happiness for us.
I was wondering if anyone could share their experiences pertaining to a wedding ceremony and raising children - how did you do it all?? What were some of the decisions you have agreed upon?

Thank you for any guidance that anyone may share

Robin

^ top

Re: Welcome to our discussions!

Author: Kiki Iannazzo (---.newt1.ct.charter.com)
Date: 09-11-03 15:15

I have to say that reading your message ( by the way this is my 1st time here and my 1st time replying to a message) I have recieved quite the oposite. My husband is Catholic and I am Jewish. We have known each other for 18 years and have been married for 13 years. We went to speak to his priest before our marriage and we both got the feeling that all he cared about was that we raise our children catholic and did not want to hear anything else. However my Temple at the time where I also taught accepted him with open arms. When we moved and again I was not only looking for a Temple but a teachers possition, they again accepted him and my stepson with open arms and have always been very open and caring to both of them and us as a family. I am sorry that that was not the case with you and it truly hurts me to think that in the year 2003 we still have a problem with accepting people for who they are. I wish you and your husband many years of love, happiness, and health.

^ top

Re: Jewish daughter-Catholic Stepson

Author: Kiki Iannazzo (---.newt1.ct.charter.com)
Date: 09-11-03 17:41

My stepson whom lives with us and I call my own is Catholic, he is 16 years old. My daughter who is 8 is being raised Jewish. My husband is Catholic and I am Jewish. I have to say that we practice more Jewish customs in the house than Catholic customs but I don't want my son (stepson) to feel unconnected. We have in the past done all the holidays but as my daughter is getting older she is asking more and more questions and getting more and more confused. Any suggestions from anyone on how to celebrate all holidays without getting her confused would be greatly appreciated. You should also know that some of her friends at school have said that she is half Jewish and half Catholic. We don't believe in that. We are raising her Jewish and thats all she is. We don't believe that anyone can be half this and half that.

Thanks to all,
Kiki

^ top

Re: marriage

Author: Kiki Iannazzo (---.newt1.ct.charter.com)
Date: 09-11-03 17:58

Robin,

All I can say is it takes a lot of very hard work. My husband and I have been married for 13 year. Everything was fine with both of our families until I became pregnant with our daughter. Everything changed because we (both of us) chose to raise our child(ren) Jewish. His parents stoped talking to us and they do not have a relationship with our daughter at all. It is very sad because one of the reasons I fell in love with my husband was because he has such a large family and I am an only child. Not only that but my whole family with the exception of my mother live in Israel. Needles to say I was so excited to find such a large family with uncles and aunts and cousins. It was bliss! Until we told them what we decided. No, it hasn't ruined our marriage but it has hurt both of us very badly. I realy think that you both need to discuss this not only within yourselves but the extended family because you will all hopefully be involved in your childs life. That was our biggest mistake, we just asumed everyone would just go along with what we wanted and love would concur all. Unfortunatly, that was far from what happened. I am not suggesting that this will happen to you but just please talk it over with everyone. You will alleviate any heart ache later on. I wish I had it all over to do again because it is very hard to watch your child not be accepted and loved just because of a religioun. I wish you both all the luck and love in the world.

^ top

A question of community

Author: seeking to belong (---.delv.east.verizon.net)
Date: 09-28-03 05:38

The culmination of my interfaith family life has led to a rude awakening and a very sad outcome for my children. My husband and I are happily married. I was raised Christian; he, Jewish. I agreed to raise our children Jewish, and while I have not formally converted, I play the role of a Jewish mother. We celebrate shabbat, all the Jewish holidays, I drive the kids back and forth to Hebrew school, etc. Even though, you would think in 2003 that there is a lot of crossover between Jews and Christians, I have found the communities to be totally divided. While I do not announce my background to anyone, I have an obviously Christian name, and it does take much to figure out that I am not inherently Jewish. Because of my Christian roots, I have not been accepted by any of the other Jewish mothers, and my kids have not been accepted in turn. People don't really want to have anything to do with us. On the other hand, because my husband and children are Jewish, the Chrisitian people in our neighborhood don't accept us either. I don't think it is really at a conscious level; I am sure that these people would never readily admit to excluding us or shunning us on the basis of our religion, but that is what in reality is happening.
In reality, it is usually the mother who develops the social circle, and despite how hard I have tried, Jewish women just aren't interested in being friends with me (it is not an issue of conversion, because I know that many assume that I have converted because only Judiasm is part of my life and Christianity really isn't). Therefore, their kids can't be friends with my kids. The Jewish families feel uncomfortable because I am not Jewish, and the Chrisitian families feel uncomfortable because they think we are Jewish. Consequently, both my husband and I and our children have very few friends. I never realized it would be this bad. I would be interested in anyone else who feels this way.

^ top

Re: Temple and Synagogue

Author: Kurt (---.midsouth.rr.com)
Date: 01-08-04 22:54

I was reading a JTA article the other day about Howard Dean, and the article mentioned that he knew the difference between a Temple and a Synagogue. What is the modern day difference between a Jewish House of Worship that calls itself a synagogue or a temple. I.E. What is the difference betwwen a temple and a synagogue?

^ top

Re: kurt

Author: scott (12.47.98.---)
Date: 01-27-04 11:48

Essentially, there is only cosmetic diefference between a synaggoue and a temple.
Outside, they both can take on almost any form
Inside, a temple might have an organ or musical instruments. Reform Jews use these when they worship. Conservative and orthodox dont use instruments or organs in their worship.

Reform Jews call their synagoguse 'temples' because they wish to make a compariosn to the temple that stood in Jerusalem. Where as Jews have traditionally prayed for the rebuilding of the ancient Temple in Jerusalem, reform Jews removed such prayers from their liturgy. For reformn judaism, at least offically, there was and is no religious need for the temple to be rebuilt in Jerusalem. When they call their synagougees 'temples' it is a way of saying that jews no longer need that ancient Temple, that their place of woirhsip is their "Temple" figuratively speaking.
This is the origin of the term. Most people dont realize today that this is why the two different terms exist. Conservative retained the traditonal name for Jewish houses of worship., 'synagogue' which is a greek term, and means house of gathering.

^ top

Re: Modern Day Mystical Jewish Encounters

Author: Carla Wills-Brandon, Ph.D. Car (---.0.53.206.conversent.net)
Date: 03-05-04 12:47

Hello,

My name is Carla Wills-Brandon and I'm the author of ten published
books. I'm also a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist specializing
in bereavement, spirituality and trauma resolution. My husband and I
worked with Flight Medicine for NASA when Challenger blew up. In
researching responses to death, dying and trauma, I have also been
investigating the departing visions of the dying for close to 20
years. Reports of visions of a "wisp" of something leaving the body
at the moment of death, reported visitations from relatives who are
deceased either while awake or during dreamtime before dying takes
place, premonitions of a passing minutes, hours, days, weeks or months
before a death, are just a few of the variables I have researched. My
last 2 books have dealt with this in detail.

With the recent resurgence in interest in mysticism within the Jewish
community, I have received numerous requests for information and
modern day accounts, from those who are of the Jewish faith. Being
Jewish, I find this of great interest. The requests have been for
departing visions, near death experiences, after life communications,
premonitions of events to come and other related mystical encounters
experienced by Jewish individuals. If you are Jewish, were raised
Jewish or have Judaic heritage and have had an experience of this
nature, I'd like to hear about them. If you know of other Jewish
individuals who have had such experiences, pass this request on to
them. Such experiences are difficult for the secular world to accept.
Though I believe they cross all religious groups, Jewish individuals
have an extremely difficult time speaking up about such encounters.
This is why I'm investigating this. Privacy will be respected. Email
drsbrandon@msn.com for privacy.

Carla Wills-Brandon, Ph.D.

Carla Wills-Brandon, Ph.D.
Michael Brandon, Ph.D.
www.carlawillsbrandon.com
carlabrandon56@msn.com
Office: (281) 338-2992

^ top

Re: Egon Mayer Memorial Service

Author: Jeff Scheckner (---.proxy.aol.com)
Date: 03-29-04 01:26

Dear Colleagues,

If you did not receive a notice, there is a Memorial Service for our dear friend and colleague Dr. Egon Mayer (zt"l' ) in the Gold Room of the Student Union Building at Brooklyn College.

Date: Thursday, April 1

Time: 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Location: 2900 Bedford Avenue, Brooklyn

Note: Attendees are encouraged to offer remarks or remembrances.

Sincerely,

Jeff Scheckner

American Jewish League for Israel

www.americanjewishleague.org

^ top

Re: Gentile Women in the Jewish Family

Author: dorothea (---.proxy.aol.com)
Date: 04-14-04 00:53

Hello: I have been dating and been becoming increasingly attached to a Jewish man. What puzzles me is that he says we are not dating, but, yet, everyone thinks we are. He is a professor as I am and is quite comfortable with the students in the class (he is sitting in) to know that we are close. I really care for him, and, I feel we are dating, but why is he hesitant to say it to me?

Thank you.

PS: I am a gentile woman, but have no religious connections. I went to Purim at my guy's temple and enjoyed it.

^ top

Our Jewish Interfaith holiday Cards

Author: Ron Gompertz (---.customer.alter.net)
Date: 10-20-04 15:41

My wife Michelle and I just launched our new Jewish interfaith greeting card web site called www.chrismukkah.com. This site is dedicated to our baby daughter Minna Meadow.... and it will be her college education fund. The site is intended to be whimsical, cultural and not at all religious in nature. However, we are concerned that some might misunderstand, or find the idea of mixing certain holiday rituals offensive. We believe that this common practice among interfaith families actually celebrates our unique heritage, and encourages our children to be more curious about their Jewish identity.

We would enjoy getting feedback and opinions from our fellow memeber of Interfaithfamily.com.

http://www.chrismukkah.com

Cheers,

Ron and Michelle Gompertz
Ron@chrismukkah.com

^ top

Re: Welcome to our discussions!

Author: Gail Simmons (---.proxy.aol.com)
Date: 12-07-04 16:41

I'm trying to get some information about an upcoming interfaith marriage between my son, a Jew, and his fiance, a Catholic. Apparently, her parents, while accepting her choice of our son, still want to have a Catholic priest perform the marriage ceremony. If I'm correct, this can't be done unless my son converts to Catholicism. While he's not an observant Jew, I don't think he's willing to convert. Our family would prefer an interfaith ceremony, as we feel it's disrespectful to us and to our heritage to insist upon a Catholic Church wedding.

Questions:

1. What is involved in converting to Catholicism, if indeed that would be required?

2. How can we convey to our future in-laws our dismay at our religion being totally disregarded, without it turning into a cold-hearted relationship right from the start? (We haven't met them yet, but will all be getting together for dinner at a restaurant next month).

^ top

Re: Gail's post

Author: BobP (---.phndaz91.dynamic.covad.net)
Date: 12-07-04 18:00

Gail - I am a Jewish male married to a Catholic woman (30 years next March). I believe that a "dispensation" is required if a Catholic wants to marry a non-Catholic in the church. As I recall, it is "automatic" - that is it is always granted unless there is a specific reason it should not be. But conversion is definitely NOT required.

As for handling of his future in-laws, that is really up to him. Hopefully he tells them that he is Jewish and intends to remain Jewish (if that's his decision). The wedding ceremony is up to the couple, and while it's sometimes difficult, an interfaith ceremony can be done.

If I may add a personal observation - It seems to me that you and your son do not have good communication <<While he's not an observant Jew, I don't think he's willing to convert.>> Wouldn't you know if wanted to convert? Or maybe he does, but doesn't want to upset you. Either way, a "heart to heart" is a good idea IMHO.

Good Luck

Bob

^ top

Re: Welcome to our discussions!

Author: Taryn Brooks (---.dyn.optonline.net)
Date: 12-31-04 11:44

I am in the same situation. I am Jewish and My boyfriend is Catholic. I am not very religious but do hold tight to my customs and traditions. It is hard when I speak with my boyfriend because he is not willing to give up his religion entirely. I would not want him to. I would like to raise children as both and I was wondering if anyone had advice or experiences in making it work?

^ top

Re: Welcome to our discussions!

Author: scott (---.online-age.net)
Date: 01-02-05 20:45

<<I am in the same situation. I am Jewish and My boyfriend is Catholic. I am not very religious but do hold tight to my customs and traditions. It is hard when I speak with my boyfriend because he is not willing to give up his religion entirely. I would not want him to. I would like to raise children as both and I was wondering if anyone had advice or experiences in making it work?>>

Taryn,

I think you you need to take some time to really think about what you have written. Sure, Judaism and Christianity have some similarities, but fundamentally they are very different. For the benefit of your children you should seriously consider raining them in only one faith, be it Judaism or Christianity. (i must say I wold hope you choose Judaism, but then as a Jew, I guess I am a little biased). There is no way to reconile the theological differences between the two faith.... the trinity/ son of God concept/ the role of the messiah/...Christianity views these very differently from Judsaim.

I have worked with children in the past at a local reform congregation where greater than 50% of the congregants are intermarried, and have seen fisrt hand as a religious school teacher just how confused some, (though not all) many of the children were. What it boiled down to was that most of the children really knew very little about Judaism, or even Christianity for that matter-and they were at the age, 6th, 7th, eighth gradres, where they should have known.

If you want your child to have a strong religious values, a strong belief in God, I would highly recomend picking one religion rather than both.

^ top

Re: Welcome to our discussions!

Author: Peter B (---.dscp.dla.mil)
Date: 01-03-05 16:43

I live in Philadelphia and I'd be interested.

^ top

Re: bat mitzvah gift

Author: abbey (---.dc.gov)
Date: 01-11-05 11:50

I have been invited to a Bat Mitzvah and I am not sure what type of gifts are given. So I am in need of good gift ideas. The gift is for a young lady whom i've watched grow from infancy to now.

^ top

Re: bat mitzvah gift

Author: Ellen (---.as7.nwbl0.wi.core.com)
Date: 01-12-05 22:57

People keep asking questions here about gifts and then other people here keep getting angry with me for attempting to answer them.

If you have a close relationship with the girl, then I think you should give her whatever you want. I expect you want to give her a gift that says something personal. Perhaps you know what she would like, or you have some interest in common with her. I like to give books, but I think music or jewelry are good, too. Money is another possibility, especially a bond or gift certificate or a contribution to some cause you know she values. One cousin contributed to the account in which my daughter's saving for a trip to Israel. Planting a tree in Israel is always be nice idea. One of those wedding gift-y kinds of things could also work, if it's something you think she could appreciate now, like some piece of art.

< Previous

Next >

Getting Married?

Community Bulletin Board - Page 1

Page 1