to draw near, to approach”… is a program initially developed by the Federation of Jewish Men's Clubs (FJMC) to help couples, parents, extended families and synagogues deal with issues regarding interfaith relationships and marriage.
This is the sixth season Temple Emanuel is bringing the resources of KERUV to our congregation. These facilitated discussions,address interfaith relationships, interfaith marriage, and how to respectfully and lovingly share our heritage with our Jewish and non-Jewish family members
We are delighted to invite Rabbi Leana Moritt back to the homes of temple members.Rabbi Leana Moritt is the founder of Thresholds: for the Jewishly Curious - a Jewish life education and interfaith resource consultancy in Bergen County. Under Thresholds, Rabbi Moritt teaches and counsels interfaith families, Jews and new Jews. She is also the rabbi and spiritual leader of the Roosevelt Island Jewish Congregation.With Rabbi Leana Moritt’s guidance, we will celebrate ourselves, our families, our children and our grandchildren while answering “why and how."
The Facts
Interfaith marriage is a common contemporary phenomenon. According to the National Jewish
Population Survey of 2000-2001
31%of married Jews are intermarried.
33%of intermarried Jews raise Jewish children.
47%of Jews who wed between 1996 and 2000 married non-Jews.
Intermarriage raises important questions that deeply affect the couple as well as the broader family. “How should we raise our children?”“How do we manage the relationship between our Jewish and non-Jewish relatives?”
2012-2013 Program
September 10, 2012 Monday at 7:00 PM
The Sandwich Generation Continued -
Dealing with Aging Relatives, Young and Adolescent
Children, and Those of Us In Between
Questions you need to ask; answers you want to have. A facilitated group discussion about situations in which the needs of multiple generations may collide. Positive ways for seniors, family members and caregivers to proactively address the challenges of aging.
Cosponsored by TE Adult Ed and Keruv
Facilitated by Charlene Vanucci: Director of Volunteer Services, Jewish Home Family and
Susan Lilly: Director of Geriatric Care Management, Jewish Home at Home
Location: at Temple Emanuel
October 24, 2012 Wednesday 7:30 PM
Holy Moses—and Joseph, David, Solomon, Ruth and Esther!
When Biblical Heroes Intermarried
Join a powerful facilitated discussion focusing on intermarriage in the Bible with Rabbi Moritt.
Cosponsored by TE Adult Ed and Keruv
Location: at Temple Emanuel
November 4, 2012 Sunday 4:00 PM
An Afternoon at the Movies: The Namesake
The American-born son of an Indian immigrant wants to fit in despite his family's traditions.
A narrative that is applicable to our lives. Co-sponsored by Men's Club and Keruv
Location: Temple Emanuel
light refreshments served;babysitting upon request
December 5, 2012 Wednesday 7:30 PM
Chanukah, Oh Chanukah!
-Are you raising Jewish children but visiting your sister who celebrates Christmas?
-Are you an interfaith couple raising your children as Jews and needing to
explain to your in-laws why you are not giving your kids Christmas presents?
Join us for a discussion with Rabbi Moritt on the issues and conflicts
that we and our loved ones face during the winter holidays.
Facilitated by Rabbi Moritt
Location: at the home of susan and carl chaikin
January 28, 2013 Monday 7:00 PM
and continuing after minyan
Life Cycles
What role can the non-Jewish partner play in the Temple Emanuel community?. Explore involvement in Jewish traditions and observances, including brit, baby naming, Bar and Bat Mitzvah, wedding, death, burial, and bereavement
Led by Rabbi Shull, Cantor Biddelman, Ritual Committee
Location: at Temple Emanuel
February 7, 2013 Thursday 7:30 PM
Interfaith Family Issues: The Extended Family
Do we find ourselves wishing we had the tools to make everyone welcome and more comfortable?
Do your grandkids, children, nieces or nephews have cousins, aunts, uncles, grandparents or parents who are not Jewish?
Join us as Rabbi Moritt facilitates a discussion of the issues we face every day and around the holidays.
Location: at the home of Vikki and Michael Boden
March 14, 2013 Thursday 7:30PM
Four More Questions: Interfaith Dating and Marriage
1. How Jewish do I have to be?
2. What does it mean to have a Jewish home?
3. What do I give up when I marry Jewish?
4. What do I get when I marry Jewish?
Facilitated by Rabbi Moritt
Location: at the home of TBA
March 17, 2013 Sunday Morning
Passover: Rabbi Moritt's
sessions at the Passover Workshop
10:15 AM - How to tailor a Seder for a diverse family
11:15 AM - Sharing the Passover Story to children of an interfaith family.
Location: Temple Emanuel
April 19, 2013 Shabbat Yachad 8:00 PM
Keruv Outreach joins the Family Shabbat Yachad Service
with the Temple community
Location: Temple Emanuel
April 25, 2013 Thursday 7:30 PM
How Do I Communicate with My Parents and Children?
From the perspective of both grandparents and interfaith parents.
How do we communicate with parents, children, and grandchildren?
Do you have a wish list of things you'd like your parents and in-laws to consider when they are grandparenting?
As parents, share how you have successfully communicated with your parents about faith and childrearing.
Facilitated by Rabbi Moritt
Location: at the home of TBA
April 30 2013 Tuesday 8:00 PMfollowing Minyan
Book Discussion Group Co sponsored by Sisterhood and Keruv:
The Good Harbor by Anita Diamont
The novel is about the friendship between two women--one born Jewish, and one a Jew-by-choice--who meet in a synagogueThrough their friendship, the author addresses important issues in contemporary Jewish life such as Jewish renewal, differences in observance levels within families, relationships with non-Jewish family members
Location: at Temple Emanuel
May 9, 2013 Thursday 7:30 PM
Let's Talk About It!
Are you anticipating interfaith challenges during life cycle events, including weddings, baby namings, Bar and Bat Mitzvahs?
Join our supportive community.
Facilitated by Rabbi Moritt
Location: at the home of Helen Friedland
May 23, 2013 Thursday
Men's Night Out
With Rabbi Shull and Cantor Biddelman
May 31, 2013 Friday night 8:00 PM
Shabbat La Vida Loca:
Shabbat services with a Latin beat
Location: Temple Emanuel
June 10, 2013 Monday 7:30 PM
Where are we with Keruv?
Where have we been?What do we still need to do?
with Rabbi Shull and Rabbi Moritt
Location: at the home of Alayne Pick
If you would like to attend, please call the Temple Emanuel office
201.391.0801 or e-mail
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