Practical ideas, wisdom, and encouragement
on strengthening interfaith
relationships from the
experts—those involved in and with them.
“This is a book about my family. And
about your family, too. But truly, this is a book about the
entire Jewish community and its future…. A generation
ago, my family constellation might have been seen as an
aberration. Today we are typical. Which is why this book is so
timely, and so important. The essays in this book describe the
life and challenges of the Jewish family at the start of the
twenty-first century. And although there are dilemmas and
problems on these pages, there are also helpful strategies and
spiritual epiphanies. There is wisdom, humor, and
hope.”
—from the Foreword by Anita Diamant
In this first-of-its-kind resource, Jewish
and non-Jewish members of interfaith
families—grandparents, parents, children, dating and
committed couples, Jews-by-Choice, and extended family
members—and the rabbis, cantors, family educators, and
outreach professionals who work with them, offer you their own
first-hand experience. An ideal gift, this book offers
essential support for families of any constellation who are
exploring Jewish life while respecting the heritage and
traditions of those they love.
“What a mix of informative,
thought-provoking and insightful perspectives on the challenges
and blessings of life in an interfaith family! Invaluable for
interfaith couples and indispensable for all who seek to
welcome them into Jewish life.”
—Dru
Greenwood (Reform), MSW, Director,
the UAHC-CCAR
Commission on Reform Jewish Outreach
“A friendly book full of information
with two overall messages to interfaith families: one, you are
not alone; and two, you are welcome here. Even more, you are
wanted here.”
—Rabbi
Nina Beth Cardin (Conservative),
Director of Jewish Life, the JCC of Baltimore
“A rich handbook…. Wise
insight into the world of interfaith family building. Can serve
as a guide for families, clergy, and anyone who has any
connection to interfaith families—essentially
everyone.”
—Rabbi
Linda Holtzman (Reconstructionist),
Director of Practical Rabbinics, Reconstructionist Rabbinical
College
“Good people may disagree with parts
of this guide, but at its heart is a vision of Jewish life that
is beautiful, elevating and magnetic. Will offer much food for
thought in the years ahead.”
—Barry
Shrage, President, Combined
Jewish Philanthropies, Boston
Ronnie Friedland has more than twenty years of experience in a Jewish
interfaith family as a mother, wife, and daughter-in-law. She
is editor of the award-winning website InterfaithFamily.com and
co-editor of two parenting books, The
Mothers’ Book (Houghton
Mifflin) and The Fathers’
Book (Hall).
