Relationships
I Chose a Non-Jew--and the Non-Jew Chose JudaismBy Lyssa Friedman
A personal narrative of a woman whose partner converted to Judaism while she remained conflicted.
Go To LGBTQ Relationships
Article Archive
Death and Mourning
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Sitting Shiva
By Rabbi Bradley Shavit ArtsonProfessional advice from a rabbi explaining why, traditionally, those in mourning cover the mirrors in their house while sitting shiva: so they won’t be distracted from their mourning with trivial things like appearences.
Date: 08-10-2006 -
Finding Comfort in Jewish Ritual After the Loss of My Catholic Father
By Joyce SchwartzPersonal narrative in which Jew-by-choice mourned Jewishly for her Catholic father and her Jewish husband gave a eulogy at the Catholic service.
Date: 07-18-2006 -
Grave Challenges: Jewish Synagogue Policies Vary on Burying Interfaith Couples
By Arlene FineNews story about interfaith burial options in Cleveland, Ohio.
Date: 04-04-2007 -
Dear Dr. Paula: How Do I Mourn as a Jew-by-Choice?
By Dr. Paula BrodyProfessional advise for a sad convert whose mother died and who feels all alone in mourning her as a Jew.
Date: 06-04-2007 -
Nuances of Intermarriage Endure Beyond Death
By Marlena ThompsonPersonal narrative from a woman who once served as Judaic Studies department head of a Jewish day school, but after her Catholic husband’s death used only Catholic rituals, including dressing as Santa Claus and singing Amazing Grace at his funeral,
Date: 07-05-2006 -
The Family Plot
By Terry McGrathPersonal narrative from a non-Jewish man who teaches a course on intermarriage to Jews and hears lots of concerns from Jewish grandparents about where their non-Jewish children-in-law will be buried.
Date: 04-17-2007 -
Why Don't Jewish Funerals Have an Open Casket?
By InterfaithFamilyExplanation of Jewish approach to coffins and open casket funerals.
Date: 10-20-2008 -
Intertwining Strands: Christian and Jewish Elements Help as We Mourn for My Mother-in-Law
By Edie MuellerPersonal narrative of a Jewish woman’s appreciation for her non-Jewish mother-in-law, and her thoughts on the differences between Jewish (tense) and Catholic (joyful) funeral and mourning customs.
Date: 01-04-2007 -
Who Is the Funeral for: The Dead or The Living?
By Johanna KarasikPersonal narrative from a Jewish woman about the death of her Catholic grandmother and her funeral at a cathedral.
Date: 06-07-2007 -
After Death Do Us Part?
By Sue FishkoffNews article on interfaith burial at Jewish cemeteries throughout the country.
Date: 04-06-2007
