All posts by ZinnHouse

TWICE “FROZEN”

For Religious Educators, Interspiritual, Movies on Faith & Spirituality, Spiritual Growth for Kids, , , ,

I had a chance to see FROZEN again and it was even better the second time. So this blog follows the first, “Frozen” and Sacrifice. What struck me this time was the contrast between Elsa, the older sister with the power to freeze things, and Olaf, the little snowman she creates along way. The first time I saw the film, Olaf seemed like a comical, secondary character, and at times, an interruption to the plot. Why did Disney give him so much attention? He even gets to sing a solo about his desire to experience summer. But watching it this time, I saw how incredibly central Olaf is to the moral of the story. Olaf is the ying to Elsa’s yang. Continue reading TWICE “FROZEN” →

Star Crossed

Books on Faith and Spirituality, Interfaith Inspiration, Jewish-Interfaith, ,

image of the cover the book Star Crossed by Bette IsacoffMemoirs are crossing my desk lately and this one was delightful. The story of an interfaith courtship from the 1960’s, Star Crossed by Bette Isacoff, tells of a Catholic-Jewish relationship with several counts against it before it even gets started. The book succeeds on several levels, including time-specific and time-eternal. Let me explain.

Continue reading Star Crossed →

“FROZEN” and Sacrifice

For Religious Educators, Jewish-Interfaith, Movies on Faith & Spirituality, Spiritual Growth for Kids,

imgres-3I finally saw FROZEN, the 2014 Oscar Winner for Animated Feature Film, in-flight on my way to an interspiritual conference via a visit to my sister. (How apropos.) So sisterhood and spirituality were on my mind. The movie was as good as my 15 year old daughter said it was – she saw it twice. Indeed, I was pleasantly surprised when Disney broke from a predictable storyline for new territory. The film demonstrates the value and meaning of sacrifice by contrasting it in two forms; one true and one false. Continue reading “FROZEN” and Sacrifice →

“Philomena” and Faith

For Religious Educators, Interfaith Inspiration, Interspiritual, Movies on Faith & Spirituality, , ,

imagesDon’t worry: I don’t give away the story.  I understand that the book on which Philomena is based, starring Judi Dench, goes into greater detail regarding the Catholic Church’s role in suppressing information and extending the emotional pain and suffering of a woman searching for her 50 year old son whom she has not seen since he was taken away at age three. But the film is about more than what happens when she searches for him; it encourages us to look at our own relationship to organized religion and the spiritual quality of faith.  Continue reading “Philomena” and Faith →

Mixed-Up Love

Books on Faith and Spirituality, For Religious Educators, Interfaith Education, Interfaith Inspiration, Jewish-Interfaith, , ,

I was not initially excited by the book, Mixed Up Love, written by Jon Sweeney and Michal Woll, telling 416P6rM6LuL._SY344_PJlook-inside-v2,TopRight,1,0_SH20_BO1,204,203,200_about their interfaith union. For while I am all for sharing stories about successful intermarriage (being in one for over 25 years), I was not sure what the hype was about. But as I read and reflected on what they had to say and experienced, I came to appreciate the nuances of their story and the courage of their commitment. It is one that stands on the cusp of a larger opportunity.

Not only is one partner in this interfaith marriage Jewish, but she is also a Rabbi. This alone was not enough to bowl me over as there are many intermarried clergy who faced similar situations. I too am ordained but as an Interfaith Minister. My seminary was founded by an Orthodox Jewish Rabbi AND I completed the coursework for Rabbinic Seminary International. BUT… Continue reading Mixed-Up Love →

Religious Schools Teaching More Than One Religion?

Books on Faith and Spirituality, Curriculum Design, For Religious Educators, Interfaith Education, Interfaith Inspiration, Jewish-Interfaith, ,

cover of the both, Being Both by Susan Katz MillerBeing Both: Embracing Two Religions in One Interfaith Family, by Susan Katz Miller, is a preview of how everyone’s ideas about religion may be significantly influenced as a direct result of intermarriage. And while not all intermarried families choose to raise their children with both parent’s religion, the experience of those who do is well worth a look.

Being Both sheds light on why an increasing number of families choose to practice two religions and how they do it. Continue reading Religious Schools Teaching More Than One Religion? →