Have you heard about the recent data from the Combined Jewish Philanthropies of Boston’s population study? The news is that 60 percent of children in intermarried families in the Boston area are being raised as Jews. In the Bay Area, a recent study by our own Jewish Community Federation indicated that 38 percent of children of intermarried families in the Federation’s geographic area (San Francisco, the Peninsula, Marin and Sonoma Counties) are being raised Jewish. In the Jewish world, this is very good news. These successes are because of the wonderful outreach programs available and the welcoming approach of our area synagogues and congregations to interfaith families... [Continued]

In her mid-20s, Gerelee Goltsev, a secular Russian Jewish childhood émigré, was growing more connected to the Jewish community and religion. But when she met Richard Howard at work, sparks flew and a deep connection formed, despite the fact that the two came from very different backgrounds — Richard was Catholic.

While some voices in the Jewish religion decry intermarriage as a loss to the Jewish community and turn their backs on Jews who have “betrayed the faith,” more pragmatic members of the community have reacted by catering to this growing demographic. Their intention is to help intermarrying Jews hold onto their religion and figure out how to pass it down to their children... [Continued]

Although the East Bay and the South Bay Jewish communities didn’t participate in the 2004 Jewish Community Study, we can generalize many of the findings to our regions...  [Continued]		Welcome to 2007!  Interfaith Connection has a variety of wonderful programs coming up in January and February. I hope to see you at one or all of them! [Continued]
A large percentage of children enrolled in the early childhood education programs at the Osher Marin Jewish Community Center (OMJCC ) are from interfaith families. That’s why Janet Harris, who directs the department, places special emphasis on providing education and coaching about Jewish life to parents... [Continued]		When Jewish Family & Children Services (JF&CS) and Temple Beth El in San Mateo held focus groups with interfaith couples, one of the things they learned is that people confuse religion with culture. “Couples need to find a common language to understand what interfaith means,” explains Yael Moses, director of adult services at of JF&CS... [Continued]

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