Programs

Interfaith Couples Workshop Series

Are you in an interfaith marriage and want tools and support for living with two faiths?
Are you in an interfaith relationship and trying to determine whether marriage will work?
Do you have questions about how to raise your children? Deal with extended family? Celebrate both Christian and Jewish holidays?

"Our Interfaith Family Life Series" is led by:

Rev. Julia Jarvis, IFFP
Rabbi Harold White,IFFP & Senior Jewish Chaplain at Georgetown University for 42 Years
Fr. Michael Kelly, St. Martin of Tours
Ian Spatz, IFFP master workshop facilatator

Session 1: Workshop Introduction: Couples as well as Rev. Julia, Rabbi White and Ian Spatz will introduce themselves. Couples will express their reason for attending the workshops and what they hope to gain from the series.

Session 2: Rites of Passage: Fr. Michael Kelly, Rabbi White, Rev. Jarvis & Ian Spatz will address your questions/concerns about weddings, baby namings/bris/baptism/anointing, Bar & Bat Mitzvah, coming of age ceremonies.

Session 3: Jesus, The Elephant Under the Chuppah & Symbols: How to speak to your Jewish or even Christian family members about Jesus. How do you discuss Jesus in your own family or with your partner? What Jesus meant to you growing up either as a Jew or Christian? Which religious symbols do you want in your home & what is your partner’s reaction?

Session 4: Family Living: Extended family & outside pressures; how to raise the children – interfaith or choosing one faith; expressing and articulating needs; difficult emotions dealing with intermarriage.

Session 5: Hanukkah/Christmas & Family Rituals: How will you celebrate both holidays in the same family? What in your tradition is most important to you now? What rituals do you want to maintain and to pass on to your children?

$300 per non-member couple. For more information call 301-270-6337 or email Susan Ryder at iffp@verizon.net