Conversion and Mixed-faith Relationships
I'm Jewish My Partner Isn't
Written by The Movement for Reform Judaism
Every year at least one event is run for families with both Jewish and non-Jewish members. It's an opportunity to come and meet other mixed-faith couples and families in a relaxed and supportive atmosphere.
'I'm Jewish My Partner Isn't' takes place at the Sternberg Centre in Finchley, usually in January and is led by Rabbi Dr. Jonathan Romain. In 2010 for the first time an event will take place in Leeds. 'Not Your Average Jewish Family' will be facilitated by Sinai Synagogue members Anna Dyson and Judy Plaut.
Both events are run in association with Jeneration, a pluralist initiative whose supporting organisations include the Movement for Reform Judaism.
For more information on these issues, please contact Zahavit Shalev:
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Conversion
Written by Rabbi Dr Jonathan Romain
Jewish attitudes to conversion have varied in the past and continue to do so today. In the Bible, the Book of Ruth indicates both that conversion was both commonplace and a simple procedure. Her ringing declaration ‘Your God shall be my God, your people my people’ characterised the open approach of Judaism at that time. In later periods, particularly when most Jews lived outside the land of Israel and there were hostile relations between Jews and their neighbours, conversion became much harder or was actively discouraged.
Mixed-faith Relationships
Written by Rabbi Dr Jonathan Romain
Many Jews in Britain today are integrated into everyday society, work and mix with those who are not Jewish, form relationships with them and some of these result in marriage. It has to be said that, ideally, Judaism has always encouraged same faith marriages: partly so that the couple are in religious unison, sharing the same home practices and festive calendar; and partly so as to provide a strong Jewish upbringing for any children they may have. However, the key question is, how does the community react to mixed-marriages that have already occurred.
