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Interfaith

What Emanu-El Means When Using the Term “Interfaith”

When Emanu-El says “interfaith” in the context of “interfaith couple” or “interfaith family” or “people in interfaith relationships,” we’re inclusive of both immediate and extended families – interfaith couples where one person is Jewish and one is not, couples that include converts to Judaism who still have non-Jewish relatives, people with one Jewish parent, parents of intermarried children, grandparents of children being raised by intermarried parents, etc.Interfaith families may include those who identify their family as Jewish, as more than one religion, as a “faithist” couple – one that tries to connect two partners’ point’s of view, one Jewish with a belief in a higher power and the other, an atheist looking at different interpretations and connections to Jewish traditions and custom, or who are unsure of how they identify. Our goal is to meet these families where they are and facilitate deeper connection to Jewish life. In addition, we recommend interfaithfamily.com as a valuable resource.

Interfaith Grandparents Gathering

Wednesday, January 15, 2020
7:30 – 9:00 pm
Please register.

Do you have adult children who married someone from a different faith? You are invited to a private presentation for grandparents of interfaith grandchildren by Ruth Nemzoff at a congregant’s home near West Portal. Exact address given after registration. 

Ruth, a grandparent of 12 and a member of the advisory board of the Jewish Grandparents Network is an accomplished speaker on the realities and issues of the impact of interfaith families. Participants will include one who has grandchildren being raised as Jews, with Judaism and another faith tradition, entirely in another faith tradition or without religious faith. In each of these examples, there are many feelings and concerns which Ruth speaks to with great insight.

A member of a Conservative congregation in the Boston area, she addresses congregations and is a guest speaker for the USCJ. Ruth is also a board member of InterfaithFamily and is currently co chair of the Program Committee.

This event is being cosponsored by InterfaithFamily and Congregation Beth Sholom.

Winter Interfaith Shelter Dinner
Monday, January 27
St. Mark’s Lutheran Church

Volunteer to cook during our Winter Interfaith Shelter Dinners! Every January, Congregation Emanu-El joins in the mitzvah of feeding the hungry by providing volunteers to shop, cook and serve dinner to over 100 homeless men for eight consecutive nights at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church. These clients are extremely grateful to receive home-cooked meals served by people who look them in the eye and let them know they care. Under the coordination of long-time congregant Shabana Siegel, every constituent group from the community participates (over 150 volunteers last year). Each group brings a unique flavor to the evening and takes home unforgettable memories.

Please register.

Interested in learning more about Judaism? Take a look at Introduction to Judaism.

Mourning and the Interfaith Family