Don’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
Category Archives: For Religious Educators
Mixed-Up Love
I was not initially excited by the book, Mixed Up Love, written by Jon Sweeney and Michal Woll, telling 
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?
Being 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?
Jewish Identity, Again?
The New York Times today (1 Oct 2013) posted the results of the first major survey of American Jews in over a decade conducted by the Pew Research Center’s Religion & Public Life Project. The data are not that surprising. But the conclusions confound me.
Data show that intermarriage continues to rise and that fewer Jews raise their children with a Jewish identity. “Of the “Jews of no religion” who have children at home, two-thirds are not raising their children Jewish in any way. This is in contrast to the “Jews with religion” of whom 93 percent said they are raising their children to have a Jewish identity.” The conclusion is that “this secular trend has serious consequences for what Jewish leaders call Jewish continuity.” Which leaders? What do they mean “not Jewish in any way”? Is Jewish identity and continuity really threatened, or only these leaders’ idea of it? What if identity consisted of another idea?
Interfaith Matters
Dear Parents,
I’m energized from presenting the model of interfaith education, Teaching Responsible Religion for an Interfaith World, that I developed while teaching your children! 🙂, to a welcoming audience at NAIN (North American Interfaith Network) hosted at The University of Toronto, August 11-14, 2013. If I had any doubts about my devotion to developing a Jewish-Interfaith program, i.e., the Hebrew Play Group through ZinnHouse, they quickly evaporated among interfaith enthusiasts! Continue reading Interfaith Matters
Responsible Religion for Getting Unstuck
Pastor Joe Summers’ hard work and dedication organizing “UnStuck: Reviving the Movement for Social Justice, Human Dignity, and the Environment” at The Michigan Theater on February 16, 2013 was a huge success. With Rev. James Forbes and Cornel West as the keynotes, along with musical performances, and wide support, the program delivered a whole greater than the sum of its parts. I was honored to be among several speakers about religion’s sticking points in unleashing social change. I’m sharing my talk here.
“Stick” with this; it’s not that long.
I’ve been energized these days about my profession as an Interfaith Minister and my practice (vocation) as an Interfaith Educator. So when Joe asked me to be part of this event, I agreed. Because I thought I had a lot to say. But when I sat down to write, I felt “stuck.” Now I’m going to tell you what I’ve learned about getting “unstuck.”
I grew up in a Conservative Jewish household. I went to Hebrew School every Monday, Wednesday, and Sunday. My family attended Sabbath Services which meant I was at the synagogue on Saturdays, too. When I joined the Jewish Youth Group, I was there five times each week. I went to Jewish camps in the summer. I lived on a religious kibbutz in Israel briefly in high school. I attended the Hebrew University in Jerusalem for my junior year of college. I thought I would join the Israeli army, marry an Israeli, and live life on a kibbutz. Would you be surprised if I told you that it didn’t work out that way?
What happened?