STARRING JEWISH MILESTONES

Jewish Milestones Executive Director, Rachel Brodie led two "webinars" (web-based seminars) for rabbis, other synagogue professionals and lay leaders from Atlanta, Philadelphia and Los Angeles in late November.

The 17 synagogues are part of STAR's (Synagogues: Transformation and Renewal) "Calling Synagogue Home" initiative to engage interfaith families through lifecycle events.

Rachel's presentation was called, "Before I Can Call Synagogue Home I Need to Know What You Call Me" Engaging the Jewish Partner in an Interfaith Relationship. It was publicized as follows:

To say that Noah Feldman's essay-reflecting on his personal experience as an Orthodox day-school-educated Jew who married a non-Jewish woman-in The New York Times Magazine was provocative would be an understatement. Heated debates on interfaith marriages, Jewish education, racism and journalistic integrity were ignited in both public and private spaces. As a Jewish educator I participated in some of these conversations but, in my role as Executive Director of Jewish Milestones, I sat back, observing and listening.

Of the many voices that emerged in the weeks that followed publication, one group of Jews in particular seemed to rise to the surface of institutional consciousness-only to be subsumed by the powerful force of Feldman's representation-the Jewish partners in interfaith relationships. While Feldman's anger resonated with some, others had had very different experiences, reactions, and feelings. Some were able to share their stories and perspectives but in many discussions, online and in print, Feldman is rapidly becoming paradigmatic.

Beyond the demographics, what do we know about the Jewish partners of the interfaith couples and families we hope to engage in our synagogue communities? Mostly that getting to know them and really listening to each personal story must be as much a priority as meeting the needs of the partner from a different religious background.

Our session will begin with the presentation of a traditional frame-the four types of Jews-in-need-of-engagement, a.k.a. the "Four Sons," as presented in the Haggadah-and incorporate anecdotes from interfaith couples Jewish Milestones has worked with over the past four years. We will then open up a discussion about the challenges of this important work.

"At a time when everyone who cares about a vibrant Jewish future has to engage in outreach, Jewish Milestones creatively fills a void." - Rabbi Hayim Herring, Executive Director, STAR