Center For Radically Inclusive Judaism

The Jim Joseph Foundation commissioned Project Prism, a very extensive multi-method research study of more than 2,000 Jewish young adults, seeking insights about “how this demographic expresses their Judaism, the types of experiences and relationships that impact them most, the external factors that shape their lives, and the key drivers of much of their decision-making.” The project (link in comments) was led by Sense Worldwide with NORC as a partner. Of the sample, 58% do not have two Jewish parents, 22% were raised partly Jewish, and 33% were not raised Jewish. One of the key insights highlighted by Stacie Cherner, the project owner at JJF, is that “These Jewish young adults report a lower sense of connection, have fewer Jewish background experiences and are less likely to participate in Jewish experiences currently. However, many say they are open to engaging more in Jewish life.” In a section about challenges to participation, the report notes that 21% said that a “more welcoming or inclusive atmosphere” was a driver of increased relevance and appeal (Public Preview Presentation, slide 64). I’m interested to know if respondents from interfaith families said that a more welcoming or inclusive atmosphere with respect to those in or from interfaith relationships was a driver for their participation. I didn’t find any information about that in my scan of the huge amount of data and numerous reports released as part of the project. It appears that the study did ask participants if they were in Jewish or interfaith relationships, because a slide about the impact of recent events mentions “are in a Jewish relationship” and “are in a non-Jewish relationship” as factors (slide 68). I am very interested to know if the research surfaced any insights from respondents who are in interfaith relationships as to what challenges, or encourages, their participation. https://lnkd.in/gyptXdWU

Judah Ari Gross in eJP reports that for a year, hundreds of Jewish professionals have been playing Tzomet Games. The Games are designed to force participants to consider and make long-term plans for what American Jewry will look like in 2050.   Tzomet Games has issued a report (link in comments) on the issues raised in the games, and also analyzed the issues raised in speeches by Jewish leaders to see where there is alignment and where there are gaps. “Conversion” issues were routinely raised in the games, but not mentioned in any of the leaders’ public speeches.   “Conversion” as it came up in the games is not limited to formal religious conversion; it includes “streamlined Reform conversion, Jews becoming more comfortable reaching outside their communities, mass conversions in non-traditional contexts, cultural citizenship as a layer of belonging distinct from formal conversion, symbolic Jewish passports, [and] patrilineal recognition.”   I was glad to see “conversion” as expansively defined was routinely discussed in the games, and not surprised that it’s not a subject Jewish leaders are talking about. https://lnkd.in/gmrFDqUx?

David A.M. Wilensky of jWeekly finds that the practices the Conservative movement’s recent teshuvah codifies are already commonplace in Northern California Conservative synagogues. “That’s been done by us;” “there isn’t much new there;” “it’s affirming what a lot of congregations have been doing.” But “it’s good to formalize it” and “the rulings send a good message.” Rabbi Ben Herman, an 18Doors Rukin Fellow in Sacremento, is “among a contingent of Conservative rabbis who believe they should be allowed to officiate interfaith weddings under certain conditions.” He says, “That’s the big issue, period. In my experience, having tried to do things besides the wedding day – they generally fall flat. Because the couple’s big concern is, ‘Does this rabbi value our relationship so much that they will be with us on the biggest day of our lives up to this point?’ Anything short of offering rabbinic approval on the wedding day itself is insufficient. When I’ve tried different approaches, I often don’t hear back. They want a yes or no.” Dawn Kepler of Building Jewish Bridges is quoted as saying that “allowing rabbis to officiate at interfaith weddings would be a bridge too far for the Conservative movement.” She “considers it significant that the Conservative movement is welcoming interfaith couples and families within a halachic framework.” “I think it’s terrific. There needs to be a movement in the Jewish community that adheres to Jewish law and invites interfaith families to be a part of that.” But the Conservative movement has evolved its understanding of Jewish law with respect to women and with respect to LGBTQ+ people; why couldn’t it evolve with respect to interfaith marriage? https://lnkd.in/gyQSgF_z

An important contribution from Keren McGinity: "Jewish egalitarianism must be implemented beyond the bima to enable intermarried Jewish men to better integrate work and family. To accomplish this cultural shift, educators and engagement professionals can lift up the idea of equal parenting as a Jewish value..." https://lnkd.in/gxt84p9x

This is another awful screed against interfaith marriage by a traditional Jew in Israel. The author recognizes no possibility of Jewish engagement by interfaith families, cites ChatGPT forecasts of 80% intermarriage by 2050 (which he says will really be 90%), and concludes that "there is no hope for the Jewish people in America." I debated whether to ignore this. I don't want to draw attention to it. But it's another example of the continuing expression of negative attitudes about interfaith marriage that persist in the traditional community and seep over into the liberal community. https://lnkd.in/gMDN4S3M

A very powerful commentary on the Conservative movement's recent teshuvah on working with interfaith families. I agree with Rabbi Reichmann on the "Yes" part of the ruling, and on the "And" that is still needed. https://lnkd.in/gGqGfkj4?

18Doors’ new leadership and focus. New leadership at Embark and Congregation Sukkat Shalom. New halachic ruling from the Conservative movement. HUC and JTS increased enrollment. Cleveland’s jHUB continues to impress. Remembering Rabbi Kelman. Smoothing the path for newly-connecting Jews. News and opinion from Israel. All this and more in July's News from the Center.

The co-editors of a new teshuvah from the Rabbinical Assembly, Rabbis Barmash and Barton say that with the teshuvah, halacha “address[es] issues facing intermarried couples and families robustly” and “seeks to honor these couples and families and their commitment to Jewish life in our congregations and communities.” As I’ve said many, many times in the past, anything the movement does to help interfaith couples and partners from different faith backgrounds to feel welcomed and included is positive. But respectfully, until halacha advances so as to allow Conservative rabbis to officiate for interfaith couples, it will be very difficult for those couples and partners to feel fully included, or that they fully belong, in Conservative settings. https://lnkd.in/db3rKyep

I am beyond pleased with 18Doors' news of its new leadership and newly refined focus. Wishing much success to Adam Pollack, Fern Chertok and the entire team. https://lnkd.in/grauXcp2

I continue to be impressed with Cleveland, where, “as intermarriage has risen,” with more Jewish children raised by interfaith parents, they are “Building Jewish identity through education, family engagement.” One synagogue educator says “we are creating programs to welcome families that have non-Jewish parents;” “We try to take into account, for those parents who might not have the same background, those differences and we try to be inclusive. We find that families of interfaith children are very excited to learn and we want to make it as positive as we can for them.”  Marlyn Bloch Jaffe, the CEO at the Jewish Education Center of Cleveland, says “Strategically, it is important to offer multiple paths to engagement, because people connect differently,” including “jHUB for interfaith couples and families.” Every community should have a jHUB! https://lnkd.in/gH5EKdEj