Making a Successful Jewish Interfaith Marriage: The Jewish Outreach Institute Guide to Opportunites, Challenges and Resources [Paperback]

Kerry M. Olitzky (Author), Joan Peterson Littman (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 2002

Interfaith relationships are commonplace; the challenges that go along with them are not. An interfaith couple will have to confront tough questions, yet it's often difficult to find answers, especially when traditional sources of help--family, friends, clergy, and counselors--are unable or unwilling to understand the problems.

From a Jewish perspective, this book guides interfaith couples at any stage of their relationship--from dating, engagement, and the wedding to the marriage--and the people who are affected by their relationship in any way, including counselors who work with interfaith couples and their families.

While making no judgments or dictating answers, and supporting individual choice, topics covered include:

• What is an intermarriage?
• Why do people intermarry?
• When do you bring up the subject of religion?
• What is conversion and is it necessary?
• When do you discuss and decide how children will be raised?
• And much more!

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

"Out of three million Jewish households, there are one million intermarried households in the United States. This is the reality of contemporary Jewish life," says Rabbi Olitzky. But for Olitzky, a popular author of several books on Jewish spirituality and practice, such statistics offer glimpses of opportunity, not reasons to mourn. He and Littman "do not see a million people who have married out; instead, we see the potential of a million married people who have chosen to marry into the Jewish community." They issue a clarion call for interfaith couples to be lovingly embraced by rabbis, synagogues and Hebrew schools-not judged or pitied. This guide is chock-full of advice, personal stories and resources for interfaith couples, usually Jewish-Christian but also including a few examples of other pairings. Olitzky begins by encouraging couples to get to know each other's religious backgrounds and expectations right away; he also provides counsel for breaking the ice with potential in-laws. Other chapters deal with holidays and life-cycle events, stressing the importance of communication and priorities at these important times. Olitzky, true to the form of his earlier books, also includes a lovely chapter on "nurturing the Jewish spirit and soul," building one's own spiritual strength through ritual, study and prayer. The book closes with consideration of special circumstances, such as marrying later in life, marrying across racial as well as religious lines or the additional challenges of gay and lesbian unions. This is a fine and practical resource for interfaith couples.
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About the Author

Rabbi Kerry M. Olitzky is well-known for his inspiring books that bring the Jewish wisdom tradition into everyday life. He is executive director of the Jewish Outreach Institute and the author of many books on Jewish spirituality, healing, and Jewish religious practice, including The Rituals & Practices of a Jewish Life: A Handbook for Personal Spiritual Renewal; Sacred Intentions: Daily Inspiration to Strengthen the Spirit, Based on Jewish Wisdom; and Jewish Paths toward Healing and Wholeness: A Personal Guide to Dealing with Suffering (all Jewish Lights).

Joan Peterson Littman, an educator and staff developer, has been in an interfaith marriage for almost thirty years and is the mother of two grown children.

Product Details

• Paperback: 176 pages
• Publisher: Jewish Lights Publishing (November 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1580231705
• ISBN-13: 978-1580231701
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 6.6 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #532,547 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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