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Featured: The Gifts They Give: Non-Jewish Parents Helping to Raise Their Jewish Children

This story describes two Roman Catholic women married to Jewish men who take charge of leading a chaotic family service for their children when the rabbi doesn't show up. It encourages us to welcome and appreciate the contributions of non-Jewish parents of Jewish children.

Featured: Reaching out to Unaffiliated and Intermarried Jews

This is a series of audio recordings and related documents explaining how one congregation did outreach to unaffiliated and intermarried Jews. It was part of the PEARL series for Kehillah builders and the calls were facilitated by Rabbi Nancy Epstein, RRC '06. 

Educating Future Jews: Jewish-Americans or American Jews?

A frank exploration of the purpose of religious school and how conflicts between religious status and identity can be addressed by Reconstructionist congregations. Are we teaching our children to approach American culture and values from a Jewish perspective or are we teaching them to explore Jewish culture and values from an American perspective?

Jews and Fellow Travelers: Appreciating the Gifts of Non-Jewish Partners

Rabbi Harris's article, written after his workshop at the 2004 JRF Convention, focuses on the benefits that non-Jews, mostly with Jewish partners, bring to the community. Harris leads us away from the "framework of cost," to open up the conversation on intermarriage.

Boundaries and Identity: Discussing Where We Stand and Who We Are

In this article, Rabbi Richard Hirsh, RRC '81, discusses the issues of boundaries and identity involved with children of interfaith families. Who is "Jewish" for the purpose of religious school attendance? Why are these discussions important? What gets in the way of having them?

Jewish Identity and Patrilineal Descent: Some Second Thoughts

Article on Patrlineal Descent from the Reconstructionist, Volume 49 no 5, March 1984, p 25-28, 34.

A Reconstructionist View on Patrlineal Descent

"A Reconstructionist view on patrilineal descent." This is an article from the journal Judaism, Volume 34 No.1, Winter 1985, pp 97-106, by Rabbi Jacob Staub.