Serving interfaith families, partnering with Jewish institutions.
In the News
Federation Funds InterFaithways Initiative
This article highlights the InterFaithways program, Bonei Gesharim, or "Builders of Bridges" funded by The Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia. Following a half-day workshop, InterFaithways staff is working with approximately forty local rabbis to develop program ideas, and ultimately help make congregations more comfortable and accepting communities for non-Jewish members, whether or not they are considering conversion. Read more
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
And, on Sunday, September 19th, Gari will also facilitate a focus group for couples in the home of Stacey Trooskin and Chip
Finney, an interfaith couple living in Center City. Theatre Ariel will also open that focus group and light refreshments will be served.
Please share this information with all of the interfaith couples whom you know: the information gathered in these groups will
help InterFaithways determine what kinds of programs will best help interfaith couples living in the Greater Philadelphia area feel welcomed and supported in the Jewish community. Everyone's voice is important to us--we want to hear what you have to say. The focus groups are open to LGBT couples as well as heterosexual couples.
And...InterFaithways will thank every couple who shares their experiences in one of the focus groups with complimentary movie tickets.
These focus groups were made possible by a generous donation from the Rubenstein Foundation.
To RSVP for one of the focus groups, contact InterFaithways Program Associate Gabrielle Kaplan-Mayer at gabrielle [at] interfaithways [dot] org or 215-207-0990.
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.
Chanukah AND Christmas?
This article in the Jewish Exponent looks at the reality of many interfaith families' holiday practices. Read the article.
Interfaith Grandparenting
InterFaithways joins the discusssion supporting Jewish grandparent involvement with their interfaith grandchildren.
Congregation Beth Or, in Maple Glen, PA offers Grandparents Circle for these folks. Read more
OPINION: We've Come a Long Way When It Comes to Outreach
Rabbi Mayer Selekman offers this opinion on the trajectory of intermarriage and InterFaithways over time.
He begins with this compelling;observation:
Visit any Conservative, Reconstructionist or Reform congregation on a Shabbat morning where there's a Bat/Bar Mitzvah in an interfaith family, and observe who's participating, where and how. Read the article.
EDITORIAL: A Welcoming Weekend
Lisa Hostein, Exectutive Editor of the Jewish Exponent writes about InterFaithways Family Shabbat Weekend:
EDITORIAL: A Welcoming Weekend: November 12, 2009: Intermarriage has long been an established fact in American Jewish life, but the debate over how best to address it goes on. Read more
InterFaithways Family Shabbat Weekend Featured in Exponent
The November 6, 2009 edition of the Philadephia Jewish Exponent featured an article about Interfaith Family Shabbat weekend, and Interfaithways initiative. Read more