Article Discussion: Guide to the Synagogue for Interfaith Couples and Families: What Kind of Synagogue Is it? Jewish Denominations

[admin]

Click here to read the article:Guide to the Synagogue for Interfaith Couples and Families: What Kind of Synagogue Is it? Jewish Denominations

[Debbie B.]

Nice overview.

Suggested addition: having mentioned the possibility of female clergy in the intro, it would be good to note that the Reform, Reconstructionist, and Conservative movements have female rabbis and cantors, but the Orthodox movements do not. Also in O synagogues, only men are given honors like aliyot.

And a minor quibble about the wording of this phrase for C. and O. synagogues:
"Some interfaith families who want to raise Jewish children have conversion ceremonies for their children in order for them to participate in Conservative/Orthodox synagogues." I would use a slightly different wording such as that the families "perform conversion rituals". "Have ceremonies" sounds like a public celebration (like a bris or bar mitzvah), and although some families may have a public announcement and celebration after the conversion, the required conversion rituals of coming before a beit din and immersion in a mikveh are typically quiet affairs between the three rabbis and family members and not witnessed by the congregation.

[Unregistered]

wow. this is so anti-orthodox.
if you are trying to write from a non-biast view, you REALLY need to drastically edit this. i am truly surprised and disappointed by the nasty things you wrote about orthodox synagogues.