InterFaithways

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InterFaithways

8339 Old York Road
Suite 209
Elkins Park, PA 19027

Telephone and fax
215-207-0990

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InterFaithways: Interfaith Family Support Network

InterFaithways offers a spectrum of programs and supportive services designed to address the unique issues and possibilities of interfaith living.

Whether you are part of an interfaith couple, an interfaith family, are raising Jewish children and/or grandchildren, we have resources on our web site to help you in your journey. We also have resources designed for rabbis, educators and other synagogue professionals to use in your congregations and schools.

Please be sure join our mailing list and learn about Interfaithways' newest programs!

Community Calendar

Shabbat in Our Park

Fri, 07/30/2010 - 5:30pm
Pizza Dinner, Israel Scouts Friendship Caravan & Shabbat Services

Fri, 08/06/2010 - 5:30pm
Focus Group for Interfaith Couples

Thu, 08/12/2010 - 7:30pm
WoW: Weekend of Welcome - Temple Beth Sholom Broomall

Fri, 08/20/2010 - 7:30pm
Shabbat Open House & Ice Cream Oneg

Fri, 09/03/2010 - 7:00pm
Focus Group for Interfaith Couples

Sun, 09/19/2010 - 2:00pm

InterFaithways Announces Focus Groups for Interfaith Couples

InterFaithways wants to hear about your experiences in being part of an interfaith relationship. Please join us for one of three interactive focus groups to share about the challenges and benefits of being part of a couple who come from different faith and/or cultural traditions.

On Thursday evening, August 12th, InterFaithways Managing Director Gari Weilbacher will host a focus group at her
home in Merion. The evening will begin with a short scene about interfaith relationships, performed by Theatre Ariel actors,
followed by dessert and conversation. Read more here.

Drake: Hip Hop's Newest Face On Growing Up in an Interfaith family

The New York Times recently named recording artist Aubrey "Drake" Graham as "The New Face of Hip Hop." Drake grew up with parents from different cultures: an African-American father and Jewish mother. In a recent article in Heeb magazine, Drake reflects on his identity and what it was like for him to grow up in a Jewish community. Read the full article here.

Jewish Cemetaries Welcome Non-Jewish Family Members

Traditionally, Jewish cemetaries have not permitted the burials of non-Jews. However, as the current heavily intermarried baby boomer generation ages, rabbis are being faced with the controversial issue of whether intermarried couples can be buried together.

In a recent article, the Jewish Daily Forward explores how cemetaries are a new area of challenge for interfaith families. Read the full article here.

Look Who's Raising Jews

Journalist Jennifer Thompson in the May 19th Forward asks a compelling question:

What do you call people who study Jewish traditions, regularly attend synagogue and work hard to raise Jewish children? Often we simply call such people “non-Jews.”

According to the 2000–01 National Jewish Population Survey, 24% of people living in Jewish households are not Jews, the result of an intermarriage rate that was estimated to have reached 47% by the century’s end. With a third of intermarried couples raising their children as Jews, this adds up to a large number of non-Jewish parents who are raising Jewish children. Read More

Exponent Op-Ed: A Story of Ruth, Shavuot and Conversion

The book of Ruth is read at this time of year on Shavuot. Traditionally an agrarian holiday celebrating the barley harvest, Shavuot also represents the sacred marriage between Israel and the Divine. The book of Ruth is also a story of people from different faiths and cultures joining together out of love and support for one another. Read Rabbi Rayzel's thoughts in the Jewish Exponent.

Mother's Circle Opportunities from JOI

The Jewish Outreach Institute salutes mothers of other religious backgrounds (like those in their Mothers Circle program) for the many “ingredients” that contribute to their efforts raising Jewish children. www.themotherscircle.org

URJ Scholarships for Interfaith Fellows Program

As part of the Union for Reform Judaism (URJ) Summer Learning Institute, the Schindler Fellows Program for Interfaith Families Certification is now accepting registration. Scholarships of $300 are now available for congregants from Philadelphia and South Jersey URJ congregations to attend this program.

The Schindler Fellows Program for Interfaith Families Certification is an innovative four-day program that prepares lay leaders to support, educate and encourage interfaith couples and families to make Jewish choices in their lives. Participants will receive a thorough grounding in group facilitation by specifically addressing the challenges of interfaith families. For more information contact Vicky Farhi, Outreach Specialist, at 212-650-4247 or vfarhi [at] urj [dot] org. Please note that this year, the program will be held in Glen Cove, Long Island, NY August 5 - 8.

Philadelphia Area Federation Population Study Released: Philadelphia's Jewish Demographics Changing

What does Philadelphia's contemporary Jewish community look like? The "2009 Jewish Population Study of Greater Philadelphia" shows trends including rising rates of intermarriage. Among people surveyed who are age 40 and under, 45% are part of an interfaith marriage. Among intermarried respondents, 46% said that it is very important to be part of the Jewish community. Read the article here.

Intermarriage is at the forefront of Population Study Findings

"The biggest mistake is to equate intermarriage with apathy toward Judasim," says Mindy Fortin, a congregant at Conservative synagogue Kesher Israel in West Chester, which is one of the congregations at the forefront of Interfaithways' outreach efforts. Fortin, a mother of three children and former board member at KI, happens to be married to someone who is Catholic. Read the article here.

In the News

InterFaithways Announces Focus Groups for Interfaith Couples

Chanukah AND Christmas?

This article in the Jewish Exponent looks at the reality of many interfaith families' holiday practices.

Interfaith Grandparenting

InterFaithways joins the discusssion supporting Jewish grandparent involvement with their interfaith grandchildren.