When I was a newlywed I joined a book club and met an interesting couple. They were a couple decades older than I, wealthy, intelligent, interesting. About three years into the club I was sitting in their lovely garden and Risa said to me, “The book club saved my marriage.” I was startled. “It did? …
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Terrific Grandparenting in an Interfaith Family
Your child has married someone not Jewish. You love their new spouse, but you worry. Will my grandchildren be Jewish? Will I say the wrong thing if I express my concerns and feelings? Should we invite the non-Jewish in-laws to Jewish celebrations at our home? Can we do Jewish activities with the grandchildren without over…
Read More »Starting a new decade: Do something for your relationship
Welcome to 2010! Wow, an entire decade behind us and a lot of hope for the coming year. A long time ago I worked for UC Berkeley’s adult evening education program. What I was surprised to learn is that more people decide to plunge into a new class in January/February. I had assumed most people…
Read More »Discussion for the Non-Jewish Partner in an Interfaith Family
Are you not Jewish, but keeping a Jewish home and raising Jewish kids? Do you have questions about “doing Jewish,” or Jewish home rituals? Do you have concerns about your child’s coming bar/bat mitzvah? Has something bothered you or puzzled you in the Jewish community? Are some (or all) of the holidays confusing? Or fun,…
Read More »Growing Your Child’s Identity in an Interfaith Family
Children move through a variety of developmental stages. How can we support their identity development and family attachment in age appropriate ways? Children in interfaith families are integrating multiple traditions and family heritages, we will look at how to weave together disparate backgrounds into one whole “self.” San Francisco Brandeis Day School, 655 Brotherhood…
Read More »Celebrating Holidays in the Interfaith Family
HOME SWEET HOME: Celebrating Holidays in Interfaith Families Christmas and Chanukah, Easter and Passover, December and April can be challenging times for Jewish families and interfaith families. The whole country seems to be wrapped up in a holiday that Jews don’t observe. Can an interfaith family celebrate both holidays? How would that work for…
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