Interfaith Families In The Synagogue - Page 1
By Elizabeth Clarke
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| Welcome to our discussions! |
Author: InterfaithFamily.com Editors
Date: 03-27-02 13:46
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! |
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| Re: spirituality of intermarrieds |
Author: Emily Blank
Date: 11-18-02 13:54
Although my parents are Jewish, and I had about 5 years of once-a-week religious school, I was never much interested in Judaism until I met my husband. At the time he was studying to be a Protestant minister. Falling in love with a seminary student made me feel extremely Jewish. Twenty-seven years later, he is no longer a pastor, and I am a cantorial soloist. In my case, interfaith marriage actually brought me back into the fold. Of course we have no children which uncomplicates things greatly. Although I do not have children to carry on the tradition, I like to think that teaching liturgical music helps. My point is that inter-faith marriage need not be the destruction of Jewry. |
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| Re: dialogues for new couples |
Author: DevorahVered
Date: 10-27-03 19:18
I'm working on workshop materials for new interfaith couples.
Since it's been a while since I was "there", I'm looking for insights on the "balance" of issues between spiritual, cultural, community, holiday, family, and parenting issues.
I know it varies, but which ones "get you started" really talking about what differences exist and which ones the couple needs to come together on?
For us, parenting made us deal with something that we'd let slide up to then. Until our oldest was 3 or so, we didn't need concensus. We each did our thing. |
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| Interfaith couples and antisemitism |
Author: Elissa
Date: 11-09-03 13:25
Perhaps someone out there can respond to me on this sticky subject: I am a secular Jew (although my father was raised Orthodox by his Orthodox cantor father), and several years ago, I left NYC for a very small town in rural Connecticut, where I live with my non-Jewish, same sex partner.
She was raised in a Catholic home by a Polish Catholic mother, and an Irish Catholic father; the latter was extremely liberal, and the former suffers from extreme prejudice of the kind that sort of insinuates itself into every day conversation, jokes, etc --- but only in my presence. My partner, who left the church about 30 years ago, is devastated by her mother's comments, as am I. But oddly, as a result of all this, I feel heavily drawn to find a synagogue that will accept us as an interfaith, single-sex couple (good luck, I know) and to rekindle my connection to my own faith. Children are not in the picture yet, but I expect they will be in the next few years.
Can we open up a discussion about how to cope with the prejudices of older family members?
Many thanks. |
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| Information |
Author: Jon Garner
Date: 12-07-03 20:23
I am a Jew by Choice, and a member of a reform Temple with a large interfaith membership. Being active in the Temple is very important to me. As a member of brotherhood I have asked the question more than once why we don't have any type of support group, formal or informal, for our members that might need help dealing with the problems that might araise in a interfaith relationships or dealing with our family after the choice of conversion. Can help with any information to starting a support network in the temple.? I am looking for some help in setting up guidelines for the group so I can present it to our educator and Rabbis.
I found your website In the Reform Judaism. I have browsed through the site and find it very interesting. I also see that there is no direct links in the Detroit, Mi. area?
Thank you, Jon |
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| Re: Interfaith couples and antisemitism |
Author: victoria
Date: 01-26-04 13:56
All I can say is that I am very new to the interfaith relationship situation. I am a born Jew. My parents are both Holocaust survivors. There have in all the time I have been in this relationship not a single remark from "my side" of this equation. But from his side every single time we see his mother I am met with the most horrible barrage of remarks. It hurts, it's frightening, given my own families history had shaken my core.
Anti-Semitism is not okay- anti anything is not okay. As a parent myself all I can tell you is that at some point the partner whose family does not include you must be faced with a choice. Either cease the remarks, civility always being a more reasoned approach, or perhaps remove yourself. Give yourself permission to opt out, knowing that in the future if a more enlightened approach is manifest you can opt back in.
But whatever you do, don't give racism, exclusion or hatred any more power than it has already taken from our people and all the other peoples of our wonderfully diverse world.
Celebrate and love each other. That will stand as the best example to ignorance.
Shalom,
Victoria |
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| Re: Intermarriage |
Author: Martin Jersky
Date: 12-28-04 17:39
Shalom to all
I was raised in a Jewish home by my parents , went into the Marines and fought in 2 wars Korea and Vietnam served 22 years While I was recuperating from my latest binge a young lady volunteering at the Veterans hospital offerd to write my parents she also played the piano, we struck off a relationship and decided ti get married only problem was she was a Quaker well I would have done better to bring home a leprechaun than this shikse It was bad enough a Jewich boy joined the Marines now he comes home with a goyishke shikse I never realized how bigoted people could be while in the Marines we learned not to look at the color of hands passing ammo in firefights if we did we slept with a grenade it didnt matter what color or religion we were our instructors hated us all equally We got married by a JP and had 3 sons which were raised in an atmosphere of love and honesty never once was religion a problem I am a Jew and my wife is a Quaker I found more acceptance from the Quakers than my own family They encouraged me to be a better Jew by living my life as an example to our sons We live in eastern Montana on a sheepranch it is a good life full of respect for our home planet earth we have Indians near us that are very good neighbors But the problem is the nearest synagogue is over 200 miles away so I started tu use a computer in my old age Thanks for the opportunity to share
Peace to all
MartyJ |
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Place of Jewish worship, referring to both the room where it occurs and the building where it occurs. Colloquially referred to as "temple."
Place of Jewish worship. Same as synagogue.
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Elizabeth Clarke writes for the Palm Beach Post.
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