Article Discussion: But Josh Isnt Religious Why Should We Raise our Children as Jews

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[Anne Jones]

In an interfaith family, the parent whose religion was chosen for the children has to actively practice their faith and be somewhat observant if they want their children to identify with that religion. Judaism in an interfaith family is not the same as Judaism in a Jewish family...it is no longer a cultural identity. It is strictly a religious identity. That's just simple physics. The child has a mother who is Christian. She has different values and traditions than a Jewish woman. She can't pass on the prayers, songs, memories of holidays, family stories, etc. that a Jewish woman can.
Josh's kids are going to grow up being told they are Jewish but feeling like they are Christian. Sorry, Josh, but you can't have your cake and eat it too. If you want Jewish children, do the work. There is a reason why your religion is passed on matrilineally. Women/mothers are around the children more, and we are the ones who get asked the spiritual/God questions, plan the holidays, and teach the prayers. If your wife is Christian, she's not going to be doing that for you. Frankly, I'm more than a little annoyed with these men who expect to marry whoever they want and still recreate their childhood homes.