October 2006
Regional News
East Bay

We are particularly lucky to be living in a vibrant Jewish community with a huge range of perspectives and philosophies. Building Jewish Bridges: Outreach to Interfaith Couples was created to offer opportunities for interfaith couples and families to explore Jewish community and their own feelings about religious/cultural identity.

But really, who is it that calls me to ask for some help around Jewish community?

Calls usually start with one of two lines: either "I’m looking for a rabbi who will perform an interfaith wedding" or "This probably sounds strange, but..."

Yes, I have names of rabbis. But no marriage can be boiled down to the flowers, the caterer or the officiant. My goal is to offer the caller a chance to look at his or her marriage as a lifetime investment. What do you really want to come after this day? Now that is a rich conversation.
And the "strange" call? Nope, it doesn’t sound strange. You may, in fact, be the second caller today asking for a Jewish preschool for “my adopted biracial daughter where my non-Jewish wife will be welcome.” Or maybe you’re gay and have one Jewish parent and want to learn more about Judaism and bring your partner to the class with you. Or are you a Catholic mom, willing to raise the kids Jewish, but your husband has given you the job and you don’t know what to do?

Here in the East Bay I have a moms’ group that meets to discuss what raising Jewish kids is all about. I have interfaith couple discussion groups where you’ll meet others going through struggles similar to yours. I have a panel of adults raised in interfaith homes talking about what worked and what didn’t. I have too much to list here.

So bring on the questions! It’s time to explore!

Dawn Kepler
Building Jewish Bridges: Outreach to Interfaith Couples
www.jfed.org/interfaith.htm
dawn@jfed.org
(510) 839-2900 x347 or (925) 943-1484

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