Interfaith Membership

You too must love the stranger, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt.
Deuteronomy 10:19

Let your house be open wide.
Pirke Avot 1:5

According to the 2000 National Jewish Population Study, about half of contemporary North American Jews marrying today will enter into interfaith relationships and one-third of their children will be raised as Jews. Conversion is part of the life cycle of thousands of contemporary North American Jews.

Since 1978, when Reform Jewish Outreach pioneered a message and program of welcome to Jews-by-choice and interfaith families, the North American Jewish landscape has changed and such individuals and families are now embedded in a far more heterogeneous Jewish community. As a result, honoring differences while creating a cohesive community has become one of the goals of our congregation.

Congregation Or Chadash’s and the Reform Movement’s commitment to include Jews and Jewish families from diverse backgrounds with diverse perspectives significantly strengthens us and is a value to celebrate.

Reform rabbis serve as teachers, counselors, and mentors for anyone who would like to learn more about Judaism. Even if you do not belong to Congregation Or Chadash, you can be in touch directly with our Rabbi,  Alison Kobey, to request assistance.  She can be reached at rabbikobey@gmail.com .

Congregation Or Chadash’s Interfaith Committee has the goal of helping interfaith families be more comfortable participating in the Or Chadash community, and educating interfaith families about issues that touch them.

The committee can always use more members, Jewish and non-Jewish, to join them in their work. For more information, please contact Jane Harris at: Orchadashadmin@gmail.com. Jane is a long-time member of the synagogue and Chairperson of the Interfaith Committee.