Interfaith Connections' Helena McMahon in Haifa.

On October 30, 2006, 20 colleagues embarked upon a 10-day Staff Seminar to Israel. We were sent by the Jewish Community Center of San Francisco and the JCCs of Marin and Palo Alto, with generous funding from the Gallanter family and the “Living Bridge” Program of the SF-based Jewish Community Federation’s Israel Center. Each of us represented a different program or area of interest at our respective JCC.

As we all emerged from the airport in Tel Aviv out into the cool darkness where we were led to our tour bus, the smell in the air was earthy and rich. The concept of “The Land of Israel” was immediately palpable... [Continued]

During times of conflict in Israel, interfaith couples may find themselves under strain. The key thing a Jewish partner in an interfaith relationship has to remember is that his or her partner probably does not have, nor should he or she be expected to have, a strong attachment to Israel. The key thing a non-Jewish partner has to remember is that Israel is often a dormant, but rarely wholly absent, component of Jewish identity. While it may seem strange to see somebody who's never been to Israel or rarely goes to synagogue all of a sudden become an impassioned supporter of Israel, respect your partner's position. It comes from a deeply ingrained emotional place.

InterfaithFamily.com has compiled this series of tips for interfaith couples on how to talk about Israel. The first seven tips are for Jewish partners, the second six tips are for non-Jewish partners... [Continued]

Around the Bay Area, high school sophomores are considering an annual teen trip to Israel. Each year more than 100 teens spend a month in Israel together under the guidance of the East Bay Jewish Community Federation’s “Let’s Go, Israel!” staff... [Continued]		Interfaith Connection will be having wonderful programs in February. Please join us at one of the events listed below, and check our website for more opportunities... [Continued]
Are you a parent of a Jewish child? Then please accept this personal invitation to a free workshop. Janet Harris and Karen Kushner invite parents of children up to age five to a three-session workshop on Jewish rituals and traditions... [Continued]		What Makes a Wedding Jewish?… How to Pick a Ketuba… Two Faiths, One Ceremony: A Guide to Interfaith Ceremonies… Tips & Pitfalls that Make or Break a Wedding… Finding Your Perfect Fit – in a Rabbi.... [Continued]

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