Andrea and Michael Leven Family Jewish Identity Institute
Through a generous gift from the Leven Family, The Temple is able to significantly enhance the ways we welcome and support interfaith couples and families in the early stages of their journey into the Jewish community and our congregation. As the name suggests, we are helping to strengthen Jewish identity and connection for the generations to come.
The programs of the Leven Family Jewish Identity Institute are particularly aimed towards interfaith couples (dating, engaged, married, partnered) who are figuring out the role Judaism has in their relationship and future and those who are trying to figure out what connection their children (or future children) will have to Judaism and the Jewish community. Our goal is to help you find your path into The Temple and to feel supported in your journey.
If you have questions or want to speak to other interfaith couples, or want to make sure you’re receiving emails about upcoming events, please contact Rabbi Loren Filson Lapidus (llapidus@the-temple.org) or our Leven Institute chair, Brian Weiss (brianweissmedia@gmail.com).
Interfaith Couples’ Enrichment
Beineinu (The Two of Us): The Temple’s Marriage Retreat
March 1-2, 2019, at Chateau Elan
Facilitated by Rabbis Loren and Micah Lapidus and Rabbis Lydia and Dan Medwin, this marriage retreat gives an opportunity to relax and reconnect as a couple, and also to meet other couples from The Temple. Every year, participants leave with new friends and ways to participate in the community. This retreat is primarily designed for those in their first 7 years of marriage. Through the generosity of the Leven Family Jewish Identity Institute, there is a significant discount for the retreat and an additional subsidy for interfaith couples. For more information or to register, please go to www.the-temple.org/marriageretreat or contact Rabbi Lapidus.
Mini Retreats at The Temple
Join members of The Temple’s clergy and other couples for an opportunity for conversation and reflection. If you are getting married by a Temple clergy member, these retreats count as part of your premarital counseling requirement.
Looking Ahead: What does it mean to raise Jewish kids?
Rescheduled for Sunday, December 16 from 9:30-12:00.
We often talk about “raising Jewish children,” but what does that mean for a couple where both parents weren’t born Jewish? Rabbis Lapidus, Medwin, and Rau will discuss milestones of Jewish education, life cycle events, and questions of how to create space for both parents and sides of the family to be involved in passing along family traditions and important values. Childcare is available with RSVP. For more information , please email Rabbi Lapidus or to RSVP go to www.the-temple.org/form/lookingahead.html
Home is More than a Building: Creating meaningful time and space
January 26
In the busy lives we lead, it can be hard to find time to focus on working together to make “home” a place to share spiritual time and space. And, as couples, it can be hard to find time for conversations about “big questions.” We’ll talk about Shabbat and ways to find weekly rest, and some of the deep spiritual questions that can draw us closer to our partner and help infuse the everyday with something sacred.
Connecting in Small Groups
Dinner Discussions
Meet other couples and Temple clergy and leadership to share feedback on what you’re looking for in a community. Dates TBD, contact Brian Weiss.
Temple Connect Group for Interfaith Couples
A small group of newly-married interfaith couples that meets periodically. For more information on this group or starting your own, contact Rabbi Lydia Medwin (lmedwin@the-temple.org).
Learning
Judaism 101: The Leven Jewish Identity Institute provides subsidies for couples interested in taking Judaism 101 and learning more about Jewish belief and practice.
