Article Discussion: Through a Parent's Eyes

[admin]

Click here to read the article:Through a Parent's Eyes

[George]

I am the director of an interfaith group and am teaching a class on interfaith issues at a local Christian church.  Interfaith marriages is the first topic and your article is helpful.  Thanks.

[Rachel]

My husband and I, intermarried expectant parents, recently took a class together on raising Jewish children.  We were surprised to learn from the facilitator that most grandparents are afraid to ask the parents about what religious traditions the grandchildren are being raised with.  If you plan to raise your son in a way that would lead him to Bar Mitzvah, I hope you'll tell your parents.  I predict that it will bring them relief and joy, and make them more open to talking also about the ways you plan to incorporate Hindu traditions into his upbringing.

[Erin]

I have been married for almost 11 years. I am Jewish, and my husband is not. We have 3 children. Isabella 7y/o. Rebecca 3 ½ y/o and Dante 1 y/o and I am raising them mostly Jewish. I question why it is so $$$$$$$$$ to be a Jew. We are having financial difficulties. I was able to ask the synagogue to help me with the tuition of Sunday school, for my oldest daughter. We will see if we can get help for 2 kids next year. Both my daughters had a naming, and my son had a Briss. But my parents paid for that. When you join a church it cost nothing or what ever you can do.
I do the best I can do, at times I recall my father telling me, “That it is easier to build a house on a solid flat foundation” and that one of us should look into conversion. I said Dad he only wants the traditions of Easter and Christmas not the religion, he doesn’t believe in G-d. I do not believe that Jesus was the messiah, but I do believe in G-d, and that Meshach will come some day!!! Every other Friday night I have Shabbat with the kids; we light the candles and bake challah. I dread going to services because it is me with the kids all alone and it is hard, it is at those times I think of how much easier it would have been to have found someone Jewish, but I love my husband, completely and he is a wonderful father.

[Ed A.]

This is an amazing story of love, dedication and true faith. When I read this I cried like a lil baby, sensing the passion, the pride and the commitment!