Tablet Studios Re-Form: Interfaith Marriage
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Oct 15, 2024 Rabbi Beau Shapiro serves as the Rabbi in residence at the Skirball Cultural Center, while Rabbi Dr. Lisa D. Grant is the Director of the rabbinical program at HUC-JIR/New York. They discuss the emotional complexities of interfaith marriage and its impact on family identity. The conversation highlights shifting perspectives in the Reform movement towards inclusivity, the importance of fostering Jewish identity in mixed families, and the evolution of community support for interfaith unions, culminating in heartfelt rituals that celebrate diversity.
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Inclusion vs Continuity Tension
- The Reform movement faces tension between inclusion and Jewish continuity regarding interfaith marriage.
- This complexity arises because 70% of Reform Jews marry non-Jews, challenging traditional expectations.
Rabbi Shapiro's Early Hesitation
- Rabbi Beau Shapiro initially was uncomfortable officiating interfaith weddings due to concerns about Jewish liturgy integrity.
- He hesitated to remove Jewish elements but also couldn't ask non-Jews to recite traditional prayers.
Conditions for Officiating Interfaith Weddings
- Rabbi Shapiro requires interfaith couples to commit to a Jewish wedding and raising a Jewish family.
- He insists the ceremony maintains Jewish elements and welcomes only couples envisioning a Jewish home.