Feeling confident as a Jew can be complicated for individuals with one Jewish parent and one non-Jewish parent. For people who have a Jewish mother, Jewish law (halachah) is on your side. No matter how you were raised, if you decide you want to identify as Jewish, the Jewish world accepts you. But it may…
Read More »Non-Jewish family
Can we find something to worry about? How about food?
A Jewish woman marrying a non-Jewish man sent in this angst-ridden question to Boston’s Jewish Journal: I am marrying into a lovely family that is not Jewish. My family is hosting a dinner to meet the future in-laws. My mother, who prides herself on being a superb cook, is planning to serve all her Jewish…
Read More »Help! My Jewish grandsons went on an Easter egg hunt
From the Mixed and Matched column in the J-weekly. The question: My son-in-law isn’t Jewish. My daughter and he took their 2- and 4-year-old sons to a huge Easter egg hunt this year. It’s the first time they’ve done that and it really upset me. I’m sure my daughter knows this bothered me. I…
Read More »Preparing for Passover
Getting ready for the Seder What are ways to make your guests feel that they are a part of the evening even if they are not Jewishly knowledgeable? Invite guests to bring something. This will give them a feeling of ownership and contribution. Anyone can buy matzah or kosher wine. They can make a fruit…
Read More »Interfaith Couples Discussion Group
Discussion Series for Interfaith/Intercultural Couples Interfaith couples get it – this is going to take some discussion, some compromise. But what exactly is ‘fair’? Can each of us get what we want and that will be OK for our kids? Then there’s our parents, grandparents, and siblings – how do we get them on board…
Read More »Christmas, Jews, and all that jazz
Christmas is just about here and the last big build-up is upon us. Here’s a good article about the Santa Claus issue — not from a religious standpoint, good for any parent raising kids in America. A few words of advice Whatever you do or don’t do for Christmas, make your peace with it now….
Read More »