The San Francisco Jewish Film Festival is just about to begin their WinterFest film series AND the East Bay International Jewish Film Festival is also weeks away. I love movies and many people find them a good way to learn. It’s hard to explain the full range of Jewish cultures, countries and traditions but you…
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Study of the Experiences of Adults from Interfaith Families
A Study of the Experiences and Opinions of Adults Raised in Interfaith Families How it got started and the goals: I, Dawn Kepler, have been working with interfaith couples for more than 20 years. As time has passed I have worked with more and more of the individuals who grew up in the families…
Read More »This is Bay Area Jewry
This is Bay Area Jewry: Photo Essays on the Changing Nature of Our Community Beth El, Lehrhaus Judaica and Building Jewish Bridges present a photo essay exhibition showcasing the range of diversity in our community. The exhibition features 21 intimate portraits of individuals and families (including Beth El congregants, Renee Passy-Zale and Seidlitz-Smith family) from…
Read More »Parenting in a Multiracial Jewish Family
Our Jewish community is increasingly multiracial, raising multiracial Jewish children is a relatively new phenomenon. Not many parents have the example of their own parents. Parents of multiracial kids have to consider: What is it like growing up Jewish if you consistently told “you don’t look Jewish” What comments and behaviors impact a multiracial child’s…
Read More »How to be a Fabulous Grandparent in an Interfaith Family
How to be a Fabulous Grandparent 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…
Read More »Looking for the Perfect Synagogue
I’m looking for a synagogue. Here are my (many) demands. (This was published in my Mixed and Matched column in the J-weekly.) I received an inquiry that, quite frankly, annoyed a number of people who read about it. A young man approached me about his desire to find the “right” synagogue. Here is his perspective….
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