Parents of Children in Interfaith Relationships
As
our children mature into adults, our parenting journey takes a new turn. With
that turn we are faced with opportunities and challenges, new emotions and
uncertainties. When our child enters into a relationship with someone who is
not Jewish, those opportunities and challenges are different. Every stage of a
relationship (whether it be dating, a live-in situation, engagement, or
marriage) poses new possibilities, new situations and new choices. We worry
differently about what the future will bring - for our child, his or her
partner, the partner's family, and the couple's (future/potential) family.
A
group of parents have gotten together with the goal of sharing stories, raising questions, talking in
small groups, providing mutual support, and learning from one another during
this phase of our parenting. Some members of the group grew up in interfaith
families or themselves have partners from a different faith tradition, and some
have chosen Judaism as adults. Some of
the adult children have just begun dating; some are living together or engaged
to be married. Others are already
married and some are parents themselves. The group held an initial meeting in
May 2012 to introduce ourselves and tell others about their families.
Upcoming Meetings
Tuesday,
February 12, 2013, 7:30 pm
Personal Experiences Living in Interfaith Families
Our panelists are temple members whose stories
represent a range of experiences with interfaith families: Rabbi Saphire,
Trina Reinach, Nina Gill. They will provide insight and reflections on
having a non-Jewish parent, being raised in a faith other than Judaism and
converting to Judaism, and being married to and raising a family with a spouse
who is not Jewish. Together they will help the other members of the group
gain sensitivity to issues related to holidays, parenting and marriage, as well
as the broader group goals of welcoming and inclusive family behaviors. The
panelists will share stories and answer questions from the group.
Monday, May 6, 2013 - Sharing our wisdom and looking forward together
We
invite to join us any interested temple members who would like to explore
questions raised when a child is in a relationship with a non-Jewish partner.
If you have any questions, please contact Marjorie Freiman.