Summer is a great time to go see different types of casual services. Many synagogues move their services outside. Whether it’s with marshmallows or guitars or both, this is a upbeat, relaxed time of year. Check out some of the interesting options going on. This is a grab bag of activities. If you don’t see…
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Planning the Jewish part of your interfaith wedding
(Image: A Jewish Scottish wedding) When it comes to planning an interfaith wedding many interfaith couples want to integrate elements of both partners’ traditions into their wedding ceremony. Personally, I like to get the whole picture before I plan an event. So I’m going to give you a link to a traditional Orthodox explanation of…
Read More »I wish I’d learned about my Jewish side as a child
The following message was sent to me via my monthly column, Mixed and Matched – My dad is Jewish, but my parents raised me with no religion at all. I’ve always been spiritually minded and wanted a connection to God. I found a rabbi who was very kind and sympathetic. I told her that I…
Read More »Go some (Jewish) place this week
Sometimes people who feel they are on the margin of Jewish community because they don’t belong to a synagogue believe that there is not much available for them to do. Wrong! Every week I send out a list of random activities that ANYONE can attend. Here’s a list for the coming weeks. Of course there…
Read More »Black Lives Matters & Yes, there are Black Jews
I had an ah-ha moment this week. I had attended a community meeting on the subject of responding to the violence against black people. We met at a black church. The event was organized by PICO, an organization that teaches faith-based community organizing. There were people of different faiths and races present. Afterwards there was…
Read More »I’m Jewish but People Keep Questioning Me
In the June 2016 column of Mixed and Matched, I responded to a comment from a woman who had experienced what was described in the previous month’s column – having her Jewish authenticity questioned. I can relate to your May 20 column “My father is Jewish and my mother is not.” My mother and…
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